Stylish and safe ute
The “ute” vehicle segment is a competitive one, in which the current Mazda BT-50 holds its ground really well.
This largely stems from its mix of rugged power units and some decent levels of refinement. Now, Mazda has turned up the refinement and quality of the BT-50 even further with the new BT-50 Takami.
Positioned atop the BT-50 tree, the 4WD Takami will set you back $69,190, making it $6500 more than the 4WD Limited. So, what do you get for your extra snip over $6k? Well, underneath the Takami shares the same power unit and 4WD set up as the Limited. This means a 3.0L turbo diesel four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic gearbox sending 140kW and 450Nm to all four wheels.
The subject of style is where the Takami starts to distance itself from the Limited.
The Takami gets dark metallic grey roof rails, dark grey side-steps, grey front bumper under garnish, a blacked-out grill, black door handles and mirrors, a gloss black sports bar, a set of rugged looking black fender flares and 18-inch black metallic alloys. There is also a retractable roller lid for its one tonne payload.
Inside, there hasn’t been a drastic overhaul of the cabin, although the khaki coloured leather and black synthetic suede interior trim and seats add a lift to your surroundings. Plenty of gadgets feature, such as heated front seats, and an eight-speaker audio system.
The infotainment system is a doddle to use and the Takami comes with the latest Mazda safety systems, including upgrades to Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Emergency Lane Keep. Kit like a good reversing camera and parking sensors all around helps in those tight spaces.
On the blacktop, the 3.0L turbo diesel four pot, while still having that diesel chug, is still a very smooth unit.
It has get-up and go too. Those 450Nm provide a very linear torque curve, meaning you will be able to get a move on without issue.
The six-speed auto box also offer some slick shifts as well. The BT-50 actually feels more car like in the way it drives, plus those aforementioned seats are also quite plush and offer a good amount of lateral support.
Venturing off the beaten track, the BT-50 Takami takes it all in its stride well.
The injection of extra quality has made this upgrade even more desirable.
FACT FILE
2022 Mazda BT-50 Takami
Price: $69,190 + ORC
Engine: 3.0L Turbo Diesel Four Cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: 4WD
Power: 140kW
Torque: 450Nm
Fuel Consumption: 8.0L/100km Combined
CO2 Emissions: 238g/km (3P-WLTP)
Towing Capacity: 3.5 tonnes
Payload: 1065kg
Weight: 2015kg
