Is minor cosmetic surgery and a spec upgrade enough to keep the Mazda BT-50 ute relevant?

The Mazda BT-50 shares much with the jointly-developed Ford Ranger — that is, except for the Ranger’s booming sales numbers. Part of the blame it appears lies in the fact buyers want blokey, tough-looking utes, not ones with smooth and graceful lines like the BT-50’s. Mazda hopes a more angular nose developed specifically for Australia – and more standard equipment – will make the 2018 BT-50 man-up in sales until an all-new replacement arrives post-2020.