AN AUSTRALIA-ONLY cosmetic lift and the introduction of sharper driveaway pricing did not save the Mazda BT-50 from a sales slide in 2018.

It is clear that Mazda got the raw end of the co-development deal with Ford, which is going great guns with the Ranger that shares a chassis, engine and factory with the BT-50.

While Ford has powered ahead with technology, styling, cabin and drivetrain upgrades, Mazda’s less lavish development budget has forced the BT-50 to lag behind not only its Ranger cousin, but numerous newer competitors on numerous measures.

Mazda Australia has tried to butch up the BT-50’s polarising effete aesthetics with a locally designed and fitted new bumper for this update, which also became the brand’s first vehicle to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.

Commercially, we’d put money on this being too little too late. But after a week with the BT-50 we reckon it’s still worth a look.