2026 Mazda BT-50 gets more frugal new diesel engine option for a higher price

The 2026 Mazda BT-50 is now available with new 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine to replace the previous entry-level 1.9-litre engine, bringing higher outputs, lower fuel consumption, and a 3500kg braked towing capacity across the range, but a $1500 price increase.

Available only in the entry-level XS equipment grade starting with the 4×2 single-cab/chassis variant priced at $37,900 before on-road costs, it produces 120kW of power and 400Nm of torque – gains of 10kW and 50Nm over the 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel it replaces. 

While peak power arrives at the same 3600rpm, the higher torque output peaks from 1600 to 2400rpm compared to the 1.9L engine’s 1800-2600rpm spread.

The same engine, codenamed RZ4F-TC, will also be available from October in the Isuzu D-Max, with which the BT-50 is twinned and produced alongside in Thailand, with the two utes using the same platform and engines.

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In the Mazda, it’s offered exclusively in four variants: the entry-level XS Single Cab Chassis 4×2, the XS Dual Cab Pickup 4×2, the XS Dual Cab Chassis 4×2 and the XS Dual Cab Pickup 4×4.

All four model grades command the same $1500 price premium over their 1.9L-engined predecessors, but also cost more than equivalent variants of the D-Max, which starts at $36,200 before on-roads or $36,990 drive-away.

The new 2.2L turbo-diesel is teamed with an eight-speed automatic as standard (unlike the D-Max, the BT-50 was already a manual-only model), while the more powerful 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel in higher-grade BT-50s continues with a six-speed automatic.

The new 2.2L engine also comes with an engine idle stop/start system as standard to lower fuel use and CO2 emissions by up to 0.7L/100km and 17g/km respectively, with the most efficient BT-50 XS dual-cab pickup variant now offering a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.3L/100km and CO2 emissions of 167gkm – down from 7.0L/100km and 184g/km.

While the previous entry-level 1.9L SX Single Cab Chassis offered a 3000kg braked towing capacity, Mazda says the new engine brings a 3500kg tow rating, meaning the entire BT-50 lineup – regardless of engine or body style – now offers the benchmark figure, matching its Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux rivals.

However, the XS Single Cab Chassis has a reduced payload – down from 1379 to 1357kg – although this remains the highest payload for the BT-50 lineup.

The update also brings alloy rather than steel wheels for the XS Dual Cab Pickup (other versions of the XS stick with steel wheels), while XTR and GT 4×4 dual-cab/chassis variants now come with an integrated tow bar as standard.

Mazda has also fitted a stop/start system to all 3.0L versions of the BT-50, which is claimed to improve fuel-efficiency by as much as 11 per cent. Some versions lower their combined fuel consumption by 0.9L/100km to 7.1L/100km and their CO2 emissions by 20g/km to 187g/km, while others are 0.2L/100km and 3g/km more efficient (now 7.8L/100km and 204g/km).

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