PICK-UP trucks have come a long way from being pure workhorses that toiled on off-road tracks and surfaces.
Towkays and entrepreneurs who want to survey their development projects in progress or tour their agricultural spread might like to do so in a pick-up truck instead of their luxury sports utility vehicles (SUVs).
That’s where the modern-day pick-up trucks fit the bill with spruced-up variants that many double up as work and leisure vehicles.
The Malaysian market has many pick-up truck brands to choose from and the Mazda BT-50 was one of the earlier alternatives.
Bermaz Motor Trading reintroduced the BT-50 late last year with a High Plus variant that is aimed at the select group seeking such a vehicle to travel off-road in a good measure of comfort.
Of course, if the need arises to clear some unforeseen slippery or tough terrain, the BT-50 is every inch the pick-up truck with four-wheel drive capability that should live up to demand.
And its 800mm wading performance might even prompt some to make shallow stream or river crossings with confidence.
We didn’t quite put the BT-50 to the off-road test but based on its Isuzu roots, we are confident it should get itself out of any off-road pickle that might be encountered.
Our weekend with the BT-50 was mostly to gauge its urban performance in our daily grind covering the varying road terrains that served as our regular “test bed” and how we could adapt its driving characteristics to the concrete jungle we live in.
For a vehicle that is about as long as the Mazda CX-90 SUV, we learnt to navigate more carefully between narrow concrete ramps in shopping malls and multi-storey parking places.
At 5,290mm in overall length, it is longer than the CX-90 and with its range of body sensors, each beep reminded us of how close we were to scraping that nasty cement wall, many with its “war bands”.
At the same time, the parking sensors front and rear with guides in high definition on the large centre info display did their job in helping us reverse park the BT-50.
Even so, we had to get used to its longer body frame and give it a bit more space to make the turns while reversing.
It was also because of this lengthy issue that we had to find a parking space that was long enough to parallel park this beast.
Again, thanks to the parking sensors, we could execute this parking manoeuvre, albeit in places where we had more space to move around.
We believe that those who drive the equally long and dimensionally sizeable Toyota Alphard/Vellfire as well as the many luxury vans from China would have little difficulty parking the BT-50.
It is all a matter of getting used to its long body dimensions as it is not that much wider than most other vehicles.
The BT-50 was right at home moving along in urban traffic and we could merge more easily in heavy traffic with its tougher and bigger stance as most would give way.
Being the High Plus variant, we were treated to some “luxuries” such as the electric eight-way adjustments for the driver’s seat.
The seats are wrapped in leather for that premium touch along with the steering and gearshift knob.
Add the rearview mirror with auto dimming and live streaming, nine-inch centre info display with voice recognition system, eight audio speakers for the music system, two Type-C USB ports, to name some, and you won’t be left wanting much for equipment level.
We are not too fond of the live streaming rear view mirror though as we found it too distracting and had to turn it off each time we started the BT-50.
As the latest model variant, the BT-50 comes with a new signature wing grille in black that combines well with the sleeker light emitting diode (LED) headlamps and redesigned bumper to project an urbane image.
The rear sees a refined tailgate and LED lights, which along with the new alloy wheels and “muscular” wheel arches, which gave a good account of its rugged profile.
Viewing the front end from the side, we could see the similarity in nose design with other Mazda models to reflect its family heritage.
The roller shutter for the rear deck is practical to use as it comes with a cable to pull it shut when we have loaded up.
Like any pick-up truck, the rear panel could be lowered to make it easier to load some heavy stuff on board.
With its wishbone front and rear leaf spring suspension, the BT-50 is reasonably comfortable for a pick-up truck.
It took to the speedbumps, rumble strips, poorly patched road surfaces and other irregularities that we drive over often with a noticeably firmer feel, but was comfortable enough with the softer impact at normal speeds.
Besides the well-tuned suspension, a nice complement came in the 265/60R18 Dunlop AT 25 GrandTrek tyres.
We also like its handling performance through our favourite road curves at fair speeds but we could feel the understeer coming in earlier when pushed harder.
Being a premium model, the BT-50 High Plus, which is brought in from Thailand, comes with a price to match at RM140,418 on the road without insurance for private ownership.
The price is very competitively set against rivals, such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, for which similarly premium models are in the RM170,000 to RM190,000 range.
It would be a surprise if such an attractively priced premium pick-up truck is overlooked when it has so much to offer for a lot less.
SPECIFICATIONS
Mazda BT-50 High Plus
Engine: 2,999cc, 16-valve, DOHC, 4-cylinder engine, VGS Turbodiesel, common rail electronic direct injection
Maximum power: 138kW/188hp at 3,000rpm
Maximum torque: 450Nm from 1,600 to 2,600rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, part-time four-wheel drive
Features: Airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Traction Control System, Hill Launch Assist, Walk Away Lock, Electronic Stability System, Automatic High Beam, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning System, Attention Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Auto Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, roof rail garnish with 100kg limit, wheel arch extensions, front and rear underspoiler, front, rear and side skidplate, 360-degree view camera, dual sensor brake support
Suspension: Front double wishbone; rear leaf springs
Price: RM140,418 (on-the-road without insurance for private ownership)
