I don’t like pickups—they’re too big for our roads and they don’t offer much interior space. On the other hand, I like Mazda—the brand has beautiful and well-crafted cars. Which is why I have mixed feelings about Mazda's pickup, the BT-50.
It recently got an update, and it gave me the chance to review the pickup. After driving it for a week, here are my thoughts.
Styling
The BT-50 is still the most elegant-looking pickup in its segment. The front end now looks significantly more modern, but it still adheres to the brand's Kodo design language. Gone are the chrome strips from the previous model. They're now replaced by blacked-out mesh-type trim on the grille. The slimmer and more aggressive headlights also enhance the front fascia. The new Red Earth Metallic paint finish—which, by the way, explodes under sunlight—also proves Mazda's paint expertise yet again.
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Apart from the paint itself, Mazda did a great job in mixing contrasting colors to highlight different parts of the pickup. The new skid plate and stepboard are finished in silver and black, which pops in contrast to the body color. I also like the use of both gloss and matte black on the fender flares, adding more depth and character to the overall design. But what I like the most are the new two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels that give the BT-50 a more premium look. If I were to own one, I probably wouldn’t bother upgrading those shoes.
While I like most of the exterior, there are two things worth pointing out. First is the sheer size of the logo on the tailgate. Had Mazda made it a little bit smaller, the rear would have looked so much cleaner. Second is the fit and finish of the sports bar. Yes, it looks good, especially when viewed from a distance, but once you see it up close, it’s not that neatly done. I’m not sure if this was just the case with the specific unit I tested, but this is something we don’t typically associate with Mazda—a brand known for its craftsmanship.
Interior
The interior is filled with lots of soft-touch materials that make it feel a bit more posh than its competitors. The door panels are lined with leather, and the center console has padding for the knees, which adds to the comfort. The dashboard also gets its fair share of soft-touch bits. The steering wheel has proper thickness, making it nice to hold even on long road trips. I also wouldn’t mind spending hours in the leather-wrapped seats because they are very comfortable even on extended drives.
In terms of interior space, it has a decent amount of legroom and headroom. We brought this to the Mazda Fan Festa in Clark with my 6’2” boss Carlo riding shotgun and my 4’11” wife Q in the back beside all our shooting equipment. We were fairly comfortable throughout the entire trip. Given how big both Carlo and I are, it was more than acceptable.
I also appreciate the amount of storage spaces inside the cabin. The door has pockets—which I really love—and a decent storage box under the armrest. There are also two gloveboxes and a total of four cupholders in the front row alone.
Engine performance
Under the hood is Isuzu’s 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX turbodiesel that puts out 187hp at 3,600rpm and 450Nm at 1,600-2,500rpm and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s lots of low-end power, and I rarely needed to floor the accelerator when overtaking and even with a cabin filled to the brim. The engine just gives the driver confidence knowing that there’s always enough power if needed.
There’s a bit of a turbo lag, but the transmission is responsive and doesn’t gear-hunt at low speeds. Overall, I have no complaints about how the engine and the transmission work together. It also helps that the turbodiesel is quite economical. I got 15.5km/L under mixed driving conditions with plenty of heavy traffic along NLEX and Makati. I’m not the most efficient driver in our team, but then again, there’s no need to slam on the accelerator to get this truck going, which I think helped a lot in achieving this fuel economy.
Ride and handling
Thanks to the plush leather seats, Carlo and I had no complaints about the ride when we brought this to Pampanga. Among the midsize pickups in its class, the BT-50 hits a sweet spot in terms of comfort and handling. The suspension absorbs most of the road imperfections easily without compromising the handling. It’s not as soft and light as the Ford Ranger, but it’s also not as stiff (and precise) as the Toyota Hilux.
I also took this to San Pablo City, and I had no problems driving it through the twisties. Of course, it’s a pickup—it’s not meant to be taking corners at speed—but the steering has proper weight to it and body roll is manageable considering the truck's size. In the city, unless you're parking inside a mall, it doesn’t feel as bulky to drive, either. I’m not a big fan of electronic power steering, but a lighter steering wheel would really help.
Extra features
The BT-50 Pangolin Edition comes loaded with tech. At the center of the dashboard is a new 9-inch infotainment system, which has wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity. It is then paired to an 8-speaker sound system that’s better than most of its competitors’. But while the head unit has a new OS, navigating the menus is not that intuitive, and I had a hard time locating some functions. One annoying quirk is that when the 360-degree camera is triggered, it won't automatically return to the previous display, and you'd have to press and hold the camera button for three seconds. It’s a hassle to use, but that’s hopefully something a future OS update can fix.
Multiple USB charging ports can be found across the cabin, and if you happen to forget your cable, there’s also a 15W wireless charger up front that can fully recharge your phone in a couple of hours. Thankfully, the BT-50 has physical buttons for its dual-zone automatic climate control system. The passengers at the back also have their own A/C vents, which is a huge plus, especially on hot summer days.
The adaptive cruise control is easy to use and it’s responsive on the highway. It also has lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and braking, pedal misapplication mitigation, multi-collision braking, and driver-attention assist. All of these can be accessed through the 7-inch LCD instrument cluster. My only gripe about the safety tech is that the forward-collision warning can be too sensitive at times, but at least I know that it works.
The BT-50 also has features that off-roaders will love. It has a rear-locking differential, rough terrain mode, and an inclinometer. Sadly, I wasn’t able to test these features as I wasn’t able to drive it in the dirt.
Lastly, the pickup bed. The BT-50 Pangolin Edition probably has the lightest tailgate ever. You can literally lift it using one finger—it’s that light. It is also equipped with a rolling bed cover that’s easy to use.
Verdict
At P1.85 million, the Mazda BT-50 4x4 Pangolin is a great deal for those who want a classy yet capable pickup. With the Kodo Design language, body color that explodes under the sun, and a premium-looking interior, it’s a real head-turner. Being an Isuzu underneath, it can also tackle any terrain without worry. It’s the kind of truck that you can confidently bring to a business meeting and then straight to an off-road campsite once you’ve sealed the deal.
It has the characteristics that make up any car wearing the Mazda badge: refinement, style, and drivability. But that same badge also comes with high expectations. The buggy infotainment system and some inconsistencies in the fit and finish of the Pangolin-specific parts are things you wouldn’t normally find in a Mazda. These are why I’m giving this BT-50 a solid 8.5/10. With just a few more tweaks, I believe this truck has the potential to be one of the best contenders in its segment.
SPECS: 2026 Mazda BT-50 3.0L 4x4 AT Pangolin
Price: P1,850,000
Engine: 3.0-liter turbodiesel I4
Power: 187hp @ 3,600rpm
Torque: 450Nm @ 1,600-2,600rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Layout: 4WD
Seating: 5
Score: 8.5/10
More photos of the 2026 Mazda BT-50 3.0L 4x4 AT Pangolin:
