SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.

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2009 Mazda BT 50 Freestyle 3.0 CRDi SLX 4x2

A rugged vehicle for occasional light bundu-bashing, with the security of in-cab storage.

Mazda’s BT 50 range of lifestyle-oriented 4x2 highrider and 4x4 pickups has been joined by three extended cab versions. All diesel-powered, they include a 2,5 litre 4x2, a 4x4 with the same engine and a 3,0 litre common rail diesel in 4x2 form. All three come only with 5-speed manual ‘boxes at present.

The subject of this evaluation is the 3,0 litre two-wheel driver. Punted as a sports activity vehicle with added versatility, the BT 50 Freestyle offers a roomy cab for two, with easy ingress and egress and a decent amount of in-cab storage space in the form of two sturdy plastic bins behind the seats. For bulkier items needing in-cab storage, the bins are individually removable.

The pièce de résistance, however, is that unlike certain other pickups with behind-seat storage space, you can actually get at the bins without needing to invest in double-jointed arms. The execution is elementary, dear Watson – there are extra half-doors each side, opening almost 90 degrees to allow easy access to the storage area. As a safety and security measure, each opening handle is only accessible once the relevant main door is open. When closed, one has to look very closely to even know the extra doors are there. Now why did nobody do this before?

Under the bonnet, a 3.0-litre CRDi (common-rail direct injection) turbo diesel engine produces 115kW at 3 200rpm and a torque peak of 380Nm at 1 800rpm, placing it among the better performers in its class. It features a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), double helical intake port design and a powertrain control module (PCM) with a high-performance 32-bit microcomputer.

Like the double cabs, the BT-50 Freestyle Cab comes standard with four-wheel ABS and EBD systems that help to keep the vehicle under control, regardless of road conditions. In addition to dual front airbags, the Freestyle Cab range comes standard with side airbags for head and chest protection.

The load bin is 265mm deep, with a practical design that increases efficiency for business use, while expanding its possibilities and flexibility for leisure and family purposes.

The inner wall structure makes it possible to organise cargo space within the load box to match intended use. A shelf bracket halfway up the sides allows you to insert crosspieces to form a double floor or to firmly secure cargo in different areas. Grooves in the floor allow users to insert stand boards to effectively divide up the available space, while a single action tailgate lever makes opening and closing quick and simple.

Creature comfort-wise, the Mazda has all the usual kit one expects, with air conditioning, electric windows, good quality carpeting, a very pleasant sound system and all the storage and cup holders you could want.
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Now, before I am accused of being a media slut and capitalist running-dog tool of the Mazda-industrial complex, there is one beef I have - not only with this model, but with other one-tonners from them as well.

The suspension is simply too harsh. I accept that by their very design, lightly loaded springs tend to ride hard, but become softer-feeling and more compliant as loading increases.  This is great if your pickup is a beast of burden that’s always at least half loaded, but for a “lifestyle” machine presumably meant more for fun than hard work?

In its present form, the BT50’s ride is unnecessarily firm on tar and downright skittish on dirt. Other manufacturers have got the formula right, so it’s not impossible.

Apart from that, this is a nice piece of machinery worthy of consideration by anyone needing a rugged vehicle for occasional light bundu-bashing and with the security of in-cab storage.

The numbers:

Engine: Four-cylinder, in line 16 valve CRDi, 2953 cc
Power: 115 kW at 3 200 rpm
Torque: 380 Nm at 1 800 rpm
Maximum speed: 175 km/h
Zero to 100 km/h: 14,9 seconds
Fuel Index: 11,3 l/100 km
CO2 gm/km: 296
Price: R255 641
Service Plan: 5 years/90 000km

Our launch report on the 2012 models is here

Our review of a 2015 BT-50 double-cab is here

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to in order to kick back and relax.  So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

Comments?

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