For a company that has made its formidable reputation mostly on quality small cars and lately a growing range of SUVs, Mazda builds a decent ute.
Its smart-looking BT50 stands apart from most of its Australian rivals with impressive comfort and refinement.
Utes are not its specialty - Mazda leaves that territory to the likes of big sellers Toyota's evergreen HiLux, Ford's similarly popular Ranger and challenger brands such as Mitsubishi's Triton and Nissan's Navara.
But as well as fierce rivals, many of these machines are siblings to the BT, as well.
It is surprising the number of other utes that have been based upon - or share components with - the Mazda.
It was originally known as the B-Series when launched in the mid-60s, making it one of the first Japanese utes on the market.
But it was smaller than many of its rivals, explaining why the Mazda has undergone a couple of major changes since it first hit the Australian market.
The first one produced the Bravo ute in the early 90s and, about a decade later, the bigger, more sophisticated and impressive BT-50.
But that's not even half of the BT-50 story.
It was manufactured on the same production line as the Ranger and "badge engineered" to be almost a carbon copy of the Ford.
Then this "cross-breeding" paired the BT with another Japanese marque, Isuzu's D-Max, a relationship that continues.
Isuzu swapped recipes with the locally badged Colorado for about a decade until the closure of Holden's manufacturing in Australia.
This is starting to sound like an episode of the Kardashians.
But it helps explain why, unless you're a tradie, a keen fisherman or both, these ever-more stylish and desirable big trucks are difficult to tell apart.
The ute market is the most lucrative and hotly contested segment in Australia.
Even Mercedes-Benz marketed a crew-cab ute Down Under for a couple of years (called the X-Class) which owed its engineering, refined ride, powerful engine and strong off-road credentials to its twin-beneath-the-skin, the Nissan Navara.
Expect another wildcard in mid-2025 when Korean giant Kia starts producing and selling a ute to be known as the Tasman.
It's surprising Mazda is happy to compete in such a bunched field.
But the BT50 has been a strong and consistent seller since 2006 and this new generation advances the breed further.
Tested is the BT-50 3.0L dual cab pickup SP 4X4 - a pretty impressive buy for $68,690, leaving it just adrift of the Mazda "Thunder" as the flagship in the extensive range.
Mazda is line-ball, and in some cases more expensive, than class rivals.
On the positive side, the BT is hardly an ugly duckling, even if it misses some of the bling afforded to conspicuous rivals.
The most notable upgrade is the addition of a Rough Terrain system for high-end variants, optimising the BT's traction control when off-roading, which Mazda says gives the car greater management and precision in difficult conditions.
The test car wasn't fitted with the system and it wasn't taken off road but it remains one of the better-driving utes on the market with a gutsy but smooth 3-litre turbo diesel which delivers 140kW and 450Nm.
For the first time the BT50 will have two diesel engines on offer: a 3-litre turbo V6 and a newly introduced 1.9-litre, four-cylinder turbo.
The V6 matches nicely with the equally smooth automatic transmission.
That contributes to the BT's refined road manners where it cruises quietly and solidly, with plenty of overtaking power and a modest thirst.
It also turns, brakes and changes direction with the confidence and authority of a car that deserves the Mazda badge on the grille.
The changes to this updated model are modest in most cases and in one or two ways didn't noticeably make the car better.
Mazda made a bit of fuss about an upgraded infotainment system, but it was by far the least impressive facet of the car - a touch old fashioned (particularly when compared to the stylish systems of competitors) and lacking colour and interest.
Perhaps it was to keep the workday personality inside this rather flashy ute with its two-coloured leather trim, not to mention the chunky steering wheel, otherwise handsome dash and tasteful trim.
The multimedia system shouldn't be a big issue unless you're having a difficult time tuning your favourite radio station (took the best part of a week on the test ute).
At least it offered the chance to admire the smooth, quiet performance without the intrusion of Triple M (recommended tradie music).
It's a work truck but it's got plenty of creature comforts that make it clear this is a machine for the boss, not the apprentice.
Quiet and refined in most driving conditions the engine noises disappear.
The rigid, segmented tonneau cover in the test machine, as well as the fitted black tub and tie rails add to the BT50's versatility, allowing tools or surfboards to be securely locked away.
MAZDA BT-50 3.0L dual cab pickup SP 4X4
HOW BIG? With its slabby, high-sided waistline and bold, squared bonnet it feels even more imposing than similarly-sized models. It will sit five at a pinch
HOW FAST? No official figure provided. But expect about 9-10 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint
HOW THIRSTY? The excellent diesel engine claims 6.9L/100km on the highway cycle - a the test car replicated.
HOW MUCH? The range starters at $35,520 and the tested model squeaks in just below $70,000. That puts it in the higher end of the market.
