2026 Mazda BT-50 updated with new 2.2-litre engine, improved efficiency

A new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine has been announced for the 2026 Mazda BT-50 ute hours after it was formally confirmed for its Isuzu D-Max twin, replacing the 1.9-litre option with more power and reduced fuel consumption.

BT-50 prices have climbed by between $450 and $1450 as part of the update, which also includes new, fuel-saving auto engine stop-start technology for the larger 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

The 2.2-litre turbo four-cylinder diesel engine – exclusive to the base XS – produces 120kW and 400Nm, up from 110kW/350Nm in the 1.9-litre, matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, up from six speeds.

It is rated with fuel consumption of 6.3 to 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres, though most of the 2.2-litre variants are new to the range, and only one (single-cab chassis 4x2) was previously offered with the 1.9-litre unit – which quotes a mere 0.1L/100km improvement.

More widespread gains have come from the addition of stop-start tech to the 3.0-litre – which switches the engine off at the traffic lights to save fuel – cutting claimed consumption by between 0.2 and 0.9L/100km.

CO2 emissions have dropped by one gram per kilometre in the sole 2.2-litre replacing a 1.9-litre grade, or between 3g/km and 20g/km for the revised 3.0-litre engine.

The 2.2-litre engine is exclusively offered in the XS grade, in single-cab chassis 4x2, dual-cab chassis 4x4, and dual-cab pick-up 4x2 and 4x4 forms, for $2500 less than equivalent 3.0-litre XT variants.

Standard features include LED headlights, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear-view camera, cloth seats, vinyl flooring, and adaptive cruise control.

Steel 17-inch wheels are standard on cab-chassis XS versions, with the dual-cab pick-up adding alloys, previously offered only on the XT variant and up.

New features on other grades include a standard-fit towbar on XTR and GT 4x4 dual-cab chassis grades.

The 2026 Mazda BT-50 is due in showrooms from next month, formally classified as a 2025 vehicle, despite the New Year being three months away.

2025 Mazda BT-50 XTR

4x2

• BT-50 XS single-cab chassis 2.2-litre 4x2 – $37,900 (up $1500)
• BT-50 XT single-cab chassis 3.0-litre 4x2 – $40,400 (up $1000)
• BT-50 XT Freestyle Cab chassis 3.0-litre 4x2 – $44,000 (up $1000)
• BT-50 XT dual-cab chassis 3.0-litre 4x2 – $47,610 (up $1000)
• BT-50 XS dual-cab pick-up 2.2-litre 4x2 – $46,710 (new)
• BT-50 XT dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre 4x2 – $49,210 (up $1000)
• BT-50 XTR dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre 4x2 – $54,240 (up $450)

4x4

• BT-50 XT single-cab chassis 3.0-litre 4x4 – $48,250 (up $1000)
• BT-50 XT Freestyle Cab chassis 3.0-litre 4x4 – $52,000 (up $1000)
• BT-50 XS dual-cab chassis 2.2-litre 4x4 – $53,120 (new)
• BT-50 XS dual-cab pick-up 2.2-litre 4x4 – $54,720 (new)
• BT-50 XT dual-cab chassis 3.0-litre 4x4 – $55,620 (up $1000)
• BT-50 XT dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre 4x4 – $57,220 (up $1000)
• BT-50 XTR dual-cab chassis 3.0-litre 4x4 – $61,100 (up $1450)
• BT-50 XTR dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre 4x4 – $63,200 (up $450)
• BT-50 GT dual-cab chassis 3.0-litre 4x4 – $64,520 (up $1180)
• BT-50 GT dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre 4x4 – $66,620 (up $450)
• BT-50 SP dual-cab pick-up 3.0-litre 4x4 – $71,950 (up $450)

Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner

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