Mazda BT-50: which version to buy
If you are choosing a Mazda BT-50, the catalogue splits into two mechanical families: the first-generation Pickup double-cab (2006–2012) with 143–156 hp diesel engines, a 70 L tank and measured 0–100 km/h, and the later 3.2 / 2.2 / 3.0d Pickup double-cab line (from 2011) where power is 150–200 hp, ground clearance is 200 or 235 mm, and 0–100 km/h is not measured on those later rows.
If you are choosing a Mazda BT-50, the catalogue splits into two mechanical families: the first-generation Pickup double-cab (2006–2012) with 143–156 hp diesel engines, a 70 L tank and measured 0–100 km/h, and the later 3.2 / 2.2 / 3.0d Pickup double-cab line (from 2011) where power is 150–200 hp, ground clearance is 200 or 235 mm, and 0–100 km/h is not measured on those later rows. Same names such as 3.2 MT, 3.2 AT, 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT appear more than once; they are told apart by RWD versus AWD (and, on first-generation 3.0 AT, by 114 kW versus 115 kW). There is no price in this data, so “what the extra specification buys” means extra horsepower, newton-metres, litres of tank, millimetres of clearance, kilograms of kerb or payload arithmetic — not money.
Generations compared: what actually changed
The catalogue lists six generation labels. Treat the first four as one buying group and the last two as another.
1 generation (2006-03-01–2008-12-31) and 1 generation, restyling (2008-10-01–2012-08-31) share the same two diesel displacements: 2499 cc at 143 hp / 105 kW / 330 Nm, and 2953 cc at 156 hp. Gearboxes are 5-speed Manual or 5-speed Automatic. Tank is 70 L on every first-generation row. Engine layout on the restyling 2.5 MT and 3.0 AT is Front, longitudinal; several 2006–2008 rows leave engine position not measured.
The restyling did not change the 143 hp / 330 Nm or 156 hp / 380 Nm figures. What it did change, where both sides are measured: restyling 2.5 MT AWD kerb is 1725 kg against 1800 kg on the 2006–2008 2.5 MT AWD — 75 kg less at the same 143 hp, 12.5 s 0–100 km/h, 158 km/h top speed, 8.9 L/100 km mixed, 70 L tank and 3010 kg gross. Restyling 3.0 AT AWD is 115 kW versus 114 kW on the 2006–2008 3.0 AT AWD; horsepower (156), torque (380 Nm), 13.3 s, 170 km/h, 10.2 L/100 km mixed, 1879 kg kerb and 2995 kg gross stay the same.
2 generation (2011-01-01–2015-12-31) drops the 2.5 and 3.0 and lists only the 3198 cc diesel at 200 hp / 147 kW / 470 Nm, 6-speed Manual or 6-speed Automatic, RWD or AWD. Tank rises from 70 L to 80 L (+10 L). Ground clearance is 200 mm on every second-generation row. 0–100 km/h, top speed, fuel use, kerb and gross are not measured.
2 generation, restyling (from 2015-01-01) keeps that 3.2 quartet and adds 2.2 MT: 2198 cc, 150 hp / 110 kW / 375 Nm, 6-speed Manual, RWD only. Same 80 L tank, 200 mm clearance, 255/70 R16 and 265/65 R17 wheels. Still no measured 0–100, consumption or mass.
3 generation (from 2020-06-01) replaces 2.2/3.2 with a single 2999 cc diesel at 190 hp / 139 kW / 450 Nm. Names are 3.0d AT, 3.0d AT 4x4 and 3.0d MT 4x4. Tank is 76 L (4 L less than gen 2, 6 L more than gen 1). Clearance is 235 mm — 35 mm above gen 2’s 200 mm. Kerb, gross and consumption are measured again. Layout is Front, longitudinal (as first generation, not Front, transverse as second).
3 generation, restyling (from 2024-10-01) is listed as Pickup double-cab with zero modifications in this catalogue: every version-level figure for that label is not measured.
Engines and specs
Specific output (hp ÷ litres, litres = cc/1000):
| Version (distinguish by drive / kW) | cc | hp | kW | Nm @ rpm | hp/L | Nm/L | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 MT AWD / RWD (gen 1 both) | 2499 | 143 | 105 | 330 @ 1800 | 57.2 | 132.1 | Manual 5 | AWD or RWD |
| 2.5 AT AWD / RWD (gen 1 both) | 2499 | 143 | 105 | 330 @ 1800 | 57.2 | 132.1 | Automatic 5 | AWD or RWD |
| 3.0 AT AWD, 114 kW (1 generation) | 2953 | 156 | 114 | 380 @ 1800 | 52.8 | 128.7 | Automatic 5 | AWD |
| 3.0 AT AWD, 115 kW (1 generation, restyling) | 2953 | 156 | 115 | 380 @ 1800 | 52.8 | 128.7 | Automatic 5 | AWD |
| 2.2 MT RWD (2 generation, restyling) | 2198 | 150 | 110 | 375 @ 2500 | 68.2 | 170.6 | Manual 6 | RWD |
| 3.2 MT RWD / AWD (2 generation both) | 3198 | 200 | 147 | 470 @ 2500 | 62.5 | 147.0 | Manual 6 | RWD or AWD |
| 3.2 AT RWD / AWD (2 generation both) | 3198 | 200 | 147 | 470 @ 2500 | 62.5 | 147.0 | Automatic 6 | RWD or AWD |
| 3.0d AT RWD (3 generation) | 2999 | 190 | 139 | 450 @ 1600 | 63.4 | 150.1 | Automatic 6 | RWD |
| 3.0d AT 4x4 (3 generation) | 2999 | 190 | 139 | 450 @ 1600 | 63.4 | 150.1 | Automatic 6 | AWD |
| 3.0d MT 4x4 (3 generation) | 2999 | 190 | 139 | 450 @ 1600 | 63.4 | 150.1 | Manual 6 | AWD |
All listed engines are Diesel, 4 Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, Turbo. Fuel label is Diesel.
2.2 MT is the densest: 68.2 hp/L and 170.6 Nm/L, 7.7 hp/L and 23.6 Nm/L above the 3.2. Absolute output is the opposite: the 3.2 has 50 hp more than the 2.2 (+33%) and 95 Nm more (+25%). Peak power arrives at 3700 rpm on 2.2 MT versus 3000 rpm on every 3.2 MT / 3.2 AT.
Versus first-generation 2.5 MT, 2.2 MT is 7 hp and 45 Nm up on 301 cc less. Versus 3.0 AT, 2.2 MT is 6 hp down and 5 Nm down.
The 3.2 is the peak of the catalogue: 200 hp and 470 Nm, 57 hp and 140 Nm above 2.5 MT, 44 hp and 90 Nm above 3.0 AT. 3.0d sits between: 10 hp and 20 Nm below the 3.2, 47 hp and 120 Nm above 2.5 MT, 34 hp and 70 Nm above 3.0 AT. Torque peak on 3.0d is 1600 rpm — 200 rpm below gen-1 1800 rpm and 900 rpm below the 3.2/2.2 2500 rpm.
Every engine is 4 Inline Diesel Turbo; you are not choosing cylinder count or fuel type. You are choosing displacement, gearbox (5 vs 6 speeds; Manual vs Automatic), drive, and whether the row has measured consumption and mass.
Performance and economy
Measured 0–100 km/h and top speed exist only on first-generation rows that publish them.
- 2.5 MT RWD (1 generation, restyling): 11.1 s, 170 km/h. Mixed 8.8 L/100 km (city 11.3, highway 7.4).
- 2.5 MT AWD (both first-generation periods, the 12.5 s rows): 12.5 s, 158 km/h. Mixed 8.9 L/100 km on the 1725 kg and 1800 kg AWD rows (city 10.9, highway 7.8); mixed 9.3 on the 1790 kg AWD restyling row (city 11.6, highway 8).
- 3.0 AT AWD (114 kW and 115 kW): 13.3 s, 170 km/h. Mixed 10.2 L/100 km (city 12.6, highway 8.9).
Arithmetic: restyling 2.5 MT RWD is 1.4 s quicker to 100 km/h and 12 km/h faster than 2.5 MT AWD at the same 143 hp. 3.0 AT AWD has 13 hp more than 2.5 MT AWD and is 0.8 s slower (13.3 vs 12.5), matching RWD top speed (170) not AWD (158). Mixed use on 3.0 AT is 1.3 L/100 km above the 8.9 L 2.5 MT AWD and 1.4 L above RWD 8.8.
2.5 AT (RWD and AWD, both first-generation labels): 0–100 km/h, top speed and all three consumption figures are not measured.
Every 2 generation and 2 generation, restyling version (2.2 MT, both 3.2 MT, both 3.2 AT): 0–100 km/h, top speed, city, highway, mixed and CO2 are not measured. You cannot rank 2.2 against 3.2 on fuel from this file.
3 generation has consumption, still no 0–100 or top speed (not measured):
- 3.0d AT RWD: city 9.5, highway 6.7, mixed 7.7 L/100 km.
- 3.0d MT 4x4: city 9.7, highway 6.6, mixed 7.7 L/100 km.
- 3.0d AT 4x4: city 9.8, highway 6.9, mixed 8.0 L/100 km.
AWD Automatic costs 0.3 L/100 km mixed versus both the RWD Automatic and the AWD Manual. Mixed 7.7 is 1.1 L/100 km below first-generation 2.5 MT RWD 8.8 and 2.5 L below 3.0 AT 10.2 — the only cross-generation economy comparison the file supports, because gen 2 consumption is not measured.
Dimensions and weight
Ground clearance: first-generation mix of 200 mm, 207 mm, or not measured; every second-generation row 200 mm; every third-generation row 235 mm (+35 mm vs gen 2).
Tank: 70 L (gen 1) → 80 L (gen 2, +10) → 76 L (gen 3, −4 vs gen 2).
Wheels: gen 1 uses 215/70 R15, 235/75 R15, 245/70 R16, or not measured (3.0 AT restyling wheels not measured). Gen 2: 255/70 R16 and 265/65 R17. Gen 3: 235/65 R17 and 265/60 R18.
Chassis pattern is the same where published: Independent, spring front; Dependent, leaf spring rear; Ventilated disc front; Drum rear.
Kerb and gross — gen 2 not measured. Where both exist, payload = gross − kerb:
1 generation, restyling
- 2.5 MT RWD: 1670 / 2850 kg → 1180 kg; 143 hp / 1670 kg = 0.086 hp per kg.
- 2.5 MT AWD 1725 / 3010 → 1285 kg; 0.083 hp/kg.
- 2.5 MT AWD 1790 / 2980 → 1190 kg; 0.080 hp/kg.
- 3.0 AT AWD 115 kW: 1879 / 2995 → 1116 kg; 0.083 hp/kg.
- 2.5 AT AWD: kerb not measured, gross 3030 kg.
- 2.5 AT RWD: kerb and gross not measured.
1 generation (2006–2008)
- 2.5 MT AWD: 1800 / 3010 → 1210 kg; 0.079 hp/kg.
- 3.0 AT AWD 114 kW: 1879 / 2995 → 1116 kg (same masses as restyling).
- 2.5 AT AWD: kerb not measured, gross 3030 kg.
- 2.5 MT RWD and 2.5 AT RWD: kerb and gross not measured; clearance 200 mm.
3 generation
- 3.0d AT RWD: 1925 / 3000 → 1075 kg; 0.099 hp/kg.
- 3.0d MT 4x4: 2005 / 3100 → 1095 kg; 0.095 hp/kg.
- 3.0d AT 4x4: 2010 / 3100 → 1090 kg; 0.095 hp/kg.
AWD on restyling 2.5 MT is +55 kg versus RWD (1725−1670) on the 1725 kg row, or +120 kg on the 1790 kg row. Third-generation AWD Automatic is +85 kg versus RWD Automatic (2010−1925); Manual 4x4 is 5 kg lighter than Automatic 4x4 (2005 vs 2010).
Third-generation RWD has the highest measured power-to-weight (0.099 hp/kg) and the lowest measured payload among rows that publish both masses (1075 kg). First-generation restyling 2.5 MT AWD at 1725 kg has the highest payload (1285 kg). 3.0 AT is the heaviest first-generation kerb (1879 kg) with the smallest payload of that generation (1116 kg).
Which version to choose
Need measured 0–100 km/h. Only first-generation 2.5 MT and 3.0 AT AWD publish it. Fastest: restyling 2.5 MT RWD at 11.1 s and 170 km/h. AWD on the same 143 hp costs 1.4 s and 12 km/h. 3.0 AT AWD is the slowest measured sprint (13.3 s) despite 156 hp. 2.5 AT, all gen-2 rows, and all 3.0d rows: 0–100 km/h not measured.
Need four-wheel drive and a published sprint. Restyling or 2006–2008 2.5 MT AWD: 12.5 s, 158 km/h, 330 Nm. The 1790 kg restyling AWD uses 9.3 L/100 km mixed versus 8.9 on the 1725 kg and 1800 kg AWD rows — same 143 hp, 0.4 L more mixed. 2.5 AT AWD: drive is AWD, times not measured. Later AWD (3.2 MT AWD, 3.2 AT AWD, 3.0d AT 4x4, 3.0d MT 4x4): times not measured.
Maximum newton-metres. 3.2 MT or 3.2 AT at 470 Nm, either drive, 2 generation or restyling. That is 95 Nm above 2.2 MT, 20 Nm above 3.0d, 90 Nm above 3.0 AT, 140 Nm above 2.5. Consumption and 0–100 km/h on those 3.2 rows are not measured.
Smallest diesel in the later family. 2.2 MT only (2 generation, restyling): 2198 cc, 150 hp, 375 Nm, Manual 6, RWD only. Highest hp/L and Nm/L in the file. No AWD twin. Economy and mass not measured.
Published fuel use on a later truck. Only 3 generation: mixed 7.7 L/100 km on 3.0d AT and 3.0d MT 4x4, 8.0 on 3.0d AT 4x4. If you want AWD and the lower mixed figure, the data pick 3.0d MT 4x4 over 3.0d AT 4x4 (same 190 hp, 450 Nm, 235 mm, 76 L; mixed 7.7 vs 8.0; kerb 2005 vs 2010 kg). If you do not need AWD, 3.0d AT matches 7.7 mixed at 1925 kg and 1075 kg payload.
Ground clearance. 235 mm is exclusively 3 generation. Gen 2 is 200 mm. First generation is 207 mm on some AWD 2.5 MT / 3.0 AT rows, 200 mm on several 2006–2008 rows, not measured on several restyling 2.5 rows.
Tank range proxy. Largest tank is gen 2’s 80 L. Gen 3 is 76 L with mixed 7.7–8.0 L/100 km measured. Gen 1 is 70 L with mixed 8.8–10.2 where measured. You cannot compute range on gen 2 because mixed use is not measured.
Payload among measured pairs. Highest: restyling 2.5 MT AWD 1725/3010 = 1285 kg. Next 2006–2008 2.5 MT AWD 1210 kg, restyling 1790 kg AWD 1190 kg, restyling RWD 1180 kg. 3.0 AT 1116 kg. Gen 3 1075–1095 kg. Gen 2: not measured.
Automatic without AWD. Restyling 2.5 AT RWD (times and mass not measured); 2 generation 3.2 AT RWD (200 hp, mass not measured); 3.0d AT (190 hp, 7.7 mixed, 1925 kg). There is no first-generation 3.0 RWD in the file: both 3.0 AT rows are AWD.
Manual AWD on the current engine. 3.0d MT 4x4 only. Second generation offers 3.2 MT AWD (200 hp, no measured fuel). First generation offers 2.5 MT AWD only (no 3.0 Manual in the file).
Same name, different truck. 3.2 MT RWD versus 3.2 MT AWD: identical 200 hp, 470 Nm, 6-speed Manual, 80 L, 200 mm; only drive differs; mass not measured so the AWD weight penalty is not measured. Same for 3.2 AT. 2.5 MT RWD versus AWD: drive plus, where both are filled, 11.1 s / 170 km/h / 1670 kg versus 12.5 s / 158 km/h / 1725–1800 kg. 3.0 AT 114 kW (1 generation) versus 115 kW (restyling): 1 kW; 156 hp, 380 Nm, 13.3 s, 1879 kg unchanged.
3 generation, restyling (from 2024-10-01) cannot be chosen from these rows: modification count is 0, so engine, gearbox, drive, clearance, tank and mass for that label are not measured here.
Short map. Measured sprint and lightest kerb: restyling 2.5 MT RWD. Measured sprint plus AWD: 2.5 MT AWD. Most torque and peak hp: any 3.2 MT or 3.2 AT. Densest later diesel, RWD Manual only: 2.2 MT. Measured mixed 7.7 L/100 km and 235 mm: 3.0d AT or 3.0d MT 4x4. AWD Automatic on that engine: 3.0d AT 4x4 at +0.3 L/100 km mixed and +85 kg versus RWD 3.0d AT.