Forget the fanfare and fireworks of new models or overhyped option-package specials. Behind all the pizazz, the steady performers just keep on trucking, and Mazda‘s BT-50 is one of them.

Photo: More curves to Mazda design than many US-focused utes.

There‘s always plenty of hype around new model launches, the fanfare designed to obscure the competition quietly plugging away in the background. Even small changes can create market noise, especially in the busy ute market around ‘Fieldays Specials‘ – often optioned-up variants at sometimes marked-down prices. But once all that noise settles down, buyers do what they‘ve always done – simply consider whatever‘s available, what it does, and what it costs. Mazda‘s ute has long been a fixture on the New Zealand work scene. The first B1500 arrived here back in 1966, assembly began here the following year, and there‘s been a Mazda ute on our market – B-Series, Bounty and now BT-50 – ever since.

That first BT-50 shared essentially the same underpinnings – and the same Thai factory – as Ford‘s Ranger, and originally they competed on spec and price, too. More recently the two have diverged, with the Ford getting mechanical updates that didn‘t flow to the Japanese brand. In 2016, Mazda tweaked its ute line-up to undercut Ford‘s, reduced the complexity of its range, dropped the top-spec Limited, and set prices and spec to appeal as much to the workplace buyer as the private one – for example, by offering a Commercial Care package with three years fixed-price servicing.

The earlier curvy design took on a more squared-off look, reflecting that the rugged ‘American‘ flavour of the likes of Ranger and Hilux clearly had more market appeal here – the two topped the light commercial rankings here in the year to 31 July 2019, with more than 9000 sales between them for 32% of the bracket. The Mazda‘s a steady performer in fifth, for 5% of the market. That‘s 1433 sales, or around 20% of the brand‘s total passenger and light commercial tally.

December 2018 saw a new Freestyle cab variant, and April that year an Alpine Audio system upgrade, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the reintroduced Limited version we‘re driving here. That‘s a spec upgrade, but Mazda‘s still determined to keep it real, and the Limited remains less fussy – especially in terms of unnecessary frills – than the likes of the Ranger Wildtrak and its equivalents, and considerably more affordable.

Photo: Back seats plain, spacious enough, with 12V socket available.

Photo: Cabin layout is simple and easy to use, with focus on addition of an Alpine touchscreen.

It does top the BT-50 GSX with leather for the fairly flat seats (with the driver‘s one power adjustable), privacy glass and heated, folding side mirrors with integrated indicators. So much for the facts, but what‘s it like to drive? We‘ve always liked the Mazda‘s on-road persona. The Ranger – though delivering a less jiggly ride than Toyota‘s Hilux – feels more truck-like than the BT-50; as you‘d expect, given Mazda‘s proven track record for driver-focused vehicles. Not that the BT-50 feels like a car, far from it, but it certainly feels a little less like a compromise when you‘re pounding the tarmac. This 5-cylinder 3.2-litre intercooled turbo engine has a pleasantly gruff note, without being too intrusive within the cabin, and always delivered the grunt we wanted when we wanted it.

Admittedly our test period coincided with lashing weather and a schedule too busy to pick up our standard load, so it was largely empty this time around, but with 470Nm of torque and a 6-speed transmission, we wouldn‘t expect our 500kg test load to faze it; indeed utes often feel better with a weight out back. Like all its BT-50 siblings this Limited comes with a locking rear diff as standard, activated via a large button ahead of the gear lever, and it‘s a 4WD. (The GSX that is the next step down also comes in 2WD for urbanites seeking a ute at a lower price.)

Clamber aboard, and though like the majority of utes today the cabin carries numerous car-like design cues, the overall effect is sensibly rugged, bar the new 7.8” touchscreen, fitted locally by Mazda but fully integrated. Though it doesn‘t deliver as much electronic trickery as the Ranger‘s, it‘s easy to use. For example, fiddle with the climate dial and you‘ll see a large, clear icon of the front seats and airflow, plus temp and fan strength, so you can rapidly take in what‘s happening – and what you‘re changing. We‘re told it‘ll be used across Mazda‘s ute line-up. That said, the array of buttons to access mute, music, the menu and other functions is rather small. However, once you‘ve used it a few times, you‘ll barely need to look again. Cruise control and certain sound system controls are also accessible via the steering wheel.

Photo: Leather-covered seats are wide, flattish, and clearly aimed at sturdy occupants.

The front cubby is huge; ahead of it there‘s a 12V socket, then two cup holders and another cubby below the dash, with a second 12V socket and the simple array of controls. The reversing camera shows you a sliver of rear bumper, and the tow bar if it‘s fitted – you can also show the centreline as you back, to help line up a trailer. Rear passengers get a no-frills space with sufficient leg, foot and headroom for most, and a 12V charger fitted to the rear of the centre console. Niggles are few once one considers this vehicle‘s focus.

Our tester would have liked a bit more side support for the seats, which are clearly designed around large, broad occupants who aren‘t likely to corner with vigour. The next BT-50 will depart completely from its relationship with Ford, instead being a joint development with Isuzu. Meanwhile, if you want the Ranger‘s underpinnings but not its price, the BT-50 could please – provided you like the looks. As for the Limited – check what you get for the $59,795 price, and be sure it‘s worth the premium for your usage over the broadly similar $55,795 4WD GSX.

Photo: Max payload is 1082kg, while up to 3500kg can be towed (braked).