Mazda BT-50 TS2: Test Drive

Date: 03 September 2007   |   Author: John Mahoney

Category: Pick-up Prices: £10,336-£16,429 Key rival: Ford Ranger

Unlike the rest of the new pick-up pack, expect the co-developed Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 to be more familiar with a palette of bricks than a surfboard and mountain bike.

Tough, American-truck looks prevail, and backing up the butch design are big numbers. The BT can carry one tonne and pull three, while its 143PS 2.5-litre engine might not sound that impressive, but an even spread of torque make easy work of a hefty vehicle.

But it's not all good. The same criticisms of the Ford Ranger twin remain, and both the boneshaker of a ride and dreadful umbrella-style handbrake both carry over.

On costs the top-of-the-range TS2 fairs well, matching the Ford at 18.2ppm, although it's worth noting that a Mitsubishi L200 4Life double cab with comparable kit minus the alloys costs £1405 less and is 2.4p cheaper per mile to run.

Verdict: Tough and ready but ride and horrible handbrake detract

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