Tow test: Mazda BT-50 2017

rockylizard · Guru

Tow test: Mazda BT-50 2017

RustyD · Guru

I'm happy with my 2015 Ranger. Mechanically the Mazda & Ford are almost (if not entirely) identical. It's really only down to personal choice when it comes to the level of trim.

Will be interesting when Nissan produce the Mercedes & Mazda as well as their own Navara. Not sure whether the same unit may have a Renault badge on it eventually.

And all this type of ute comes out of East Detroit (aka Thailand).

Jenko1 · Veteran Member

I far as I know Mazda are going to have Isuzu motors and Mitsubishi are going the the crap Navara motor as Nissan has bailed Mitsubishi out of debt.

RustyD · Guru

Ooops. I thought Mazda had gone to Nissan after initial rumours suggested Toyota. Now it's Isuzu as Jenko notes. Does that mean Isuzu make Isuzu, GM & Mazda? I remember that one company was going to make 3 brands.

macka17 · Guru

Hey.

Don't matter who's label is on chassis of any veh. 1.2.3 or 5.

As long as it's a good veh. It's irrelevant.
Apart from other mfg's who'll be pissed.

As a ute.
The Navara and Isuzu are probably the best veh's on road.
Quality, and definitely reliability wise.

The most important thing is. Make sure they labelled with ACCURATE weight limits.
Carrying. Towing, and gross.

WITH SAFETY.... NOT Marketing in mind hey.

gooba53 · Guru

Good to know. Other than the hiccup we had after towing 70,000 km in drive., shoulda been in sports, (thanks to the friends on here for pointing us in the right direction,) we've been happy with the towing capacity and comfort of the BT .

macka17 · Guru

YEP.
It was a toss up between a BT (4 cyl) and my D-Max when I was changing. 2010 models.

Mazda has more herbs under the bonnet, and room in drivers area,
but D-Max had better gearing and more reliability record.

Fords always had too many bits dropping off them for me.
Apart from my Fairlanes yrs ago. I'd love an F150 though.
Beaut truck.

Addendum.

ANYbody towing with Auto veh's.

I'd recommend fitting a Torque Converter Lock-Up swiitch.

Best $500ish you'll ever spend.

Read up on them. Stops any\ALL that hunting they do on up and down hills.

I have.

-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 18th of September 2017 09:56:11 AM

iana · Guru

Driving the 4 cyl. BT50 and driving the 5 cyl. BT50 are two entirely different towing or just driving vehicles. As far as herbs are concerned, many drivers get a surprise when the Ranger or BT50 leave them standing at the lights. Those two with the 3.2 motor are more like driving a petrol vehicle with regards acceleration, than a diesel, except when towing and it just seems to put its head down and go.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

The only "downer" I know of the BT-50 was from my mechanic. Was towing a heavy alum boat back from Normanton last year, hit a bull dust hole & bent the chassis.

If my Nissan gives up, I'll probably go for an Izuzu - if electric 4WDs don't come in first.

Desert Dweller · Guru

Have they fixed tg bullbar mount problem. They were falling off on rough roads. Lots of them carried on a roof rack.Lol.

macka17 · Guru

YEA.
D-Max was the right chioce Methink's.

They just go.