In case you missed it, the Mazda BT-50 received a heavy facelift this year. It now sports a new front end that puts it more in line with the rest of the company lineup, along with new interior and technology features.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to anyone, but the new BT-50 also gets the same engine upgrade as the recently updated Isuzu D-Max. We are, of course, talking about the 2.2-liter Maxforce turbodiesel.
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It was an inevitable change given that the BT-50 and D-Max share the same underpinnings and mechanicals. And for those who missed the memo, Ford and Mazda have been divorced for a decade now. That’s why Mazda saddled up with Isuzu for the current generation BT-50.
But back to the engine. The new 2.2-liter Maxforce effectively replaces the 1.9-liter Bluepower unit for the entry level variants. It makes 161hp and 400Nm of torque, a boost of 13hp and, more significantly, 50Nm. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. This engine can only be paired with the two-wheel drive variants of the BT-50.
For those who need or prefer four-wheel drive, they automatically get the 3.0-liter turbodiesel. It’s been updated for the 2025 model year with internal improvements to increase fuel efficiency. Both Isuzu and Mazda claim 10 percent better economy over the outgoing 3.0-liter. Power ratings remain the same, though. It still puts out 188hp and 450Nm.
Now that the new Mazda BT-50 has premiered in Thailand, it’s only a matter of time before the Philippine market gets it. Given the brand’s positioning in the country, we’re likely to get the 3.0-liter engine only.
