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The Mazda BT-50 has followed its Isuzu D-Max twin with a new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine added in Thailand – replacing the 1.9-litre – ahead of a possible Australian launch.
The 2025 Mazda BT-50 ute has followed its Isuzu twin with the addition of a new turbo-diesel engine overseas.
Mazda Thailand has announced the facelifted BT-50 – launched there this week – will offer the new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder announced for its Isuzu D-Max twin under the skin two weeks ago.
The 2.2-litre engine replaces the existing 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel – which has been offered in Australia in entry-level BT-50 XS grades since 2022 – while the 3.0-litre diesel continues unchanged, in line with the Isuzu.
Matched with a new eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission – replacing the six-speed unit previously used – the 2.2-litre is evolved from the 1.9-litre with a revised cylinder head, block and connecting rods, plus new lower-friction pistons.
Power outputs are rated at 120kW and 400Nm – up 10kW and 50Nm over the 1.9-litre, but down 20kW and 50Nm compared to the 3.0-litre.
Isuzu, the engine’s manufacturer, says the 2.2-litre “brings significant improvements to start-up capability, acceleration, and fuel efficiency compared to existing models” with a claimed 10 per cent fuel efficiency improvement over the 1.9-litre.
A six-speed manual is also offered with the 2.2-litre engine in Thailand – however, it is unlikely for Australia as the current 1.9-litre BT-50 is sold with an automatic only locally.
While it has not been confirmed for Australia, the new 2.2-litre engine and eight-speed auto combination are likely to eventually replace the existing 1.9-litre unit in the BT-50 locally, possibly to coincide with the facelifted model arriving early next year.
A Mazda Australia spokesperson told Drive the brand would make any announcements about the BT-50 relevant to the local market “at the appropriate time”.
So far, Mazda Australia has only detailed updates for high-spec 3.0-litre dual-cab four-wheel-drive variants – the GT and SP – with more information on single-cab, ‘freestyle’ extra-cab, and other dual-cab models to be announced closer to launch.
Changes for the facelifted 2025 BT-50 include a revised front-end design with new headlights and a CX-5-like daytime running light signature, new alloy wheel designs, updated tail-lights, ridged indentations on the tailgate, and three new colours: Red Earth, Geode White, and Sailing Blue.
Inside, the BT-50 mirrors its D-Max twin with larger 8.0- and 9.0-inch touchscreens with updated infotainment software, an available 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto support – in addition to wireless Apple CarPlay already standard – and USB-C charge ports.
There are also revisions to its active safety suite with a wider-angle detection for its front windscreen-mounted cameras, and the addition of traffic jam assist, intelligent speed-limit assist, braking support for its rear cross-traffic alert system, and road edge detection for its lane-keep assist.
Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
