ATN #418

ottom of the screen, depending on
what features are used most, while the
system stocks a swathe of off-road
displays and accessory gauges for the
hardcore enthusiast.
There are two USB-A ports, one USB-C
socket and one 12-volt outlet for connecting
your own gear, and there is also space to
connect auxiliary switches should you wish
to accessorise.
The infotainment system caters to Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto users – albeit
wired – and will also tune to digital radio.
The standard satellite navigation offers
clear, detailed maps and is easy to use.
Many of the ute’s functions, such as heated
seats and climate control, are controlled
using the touchscreen.
Voice command is quick to understand
spoken instructions and will engage Apple’s
Siri if an iPhone is connected, rather than
rely on the native system. Audio and
media controls, mounted on the back of
the steering wheel, take some learning to
understand which button does what.
Voice command is also a genuine helper
in the Ranger Raptor, which uses Ford’s
ubiquitous SYNC3 infotainment system.
It displays through an eight-inch (20cm)
touchscreen and incorporates smartphone
mirroring and a FordPass app that
integrates with the infotainment to control
functions, like remote start, vehicle locator,
fuel level, vehicle health check and live
traffic updates.
Using SYNC3 is straightforward but
certain vehicles can suffer with input lag.
This is a known problem that can usually
be fixed with a system reset. Bluetooth
connection is quick, the sound system is
strong, and there are two USB-A inputs and
a 12-volt outlet up front with a 230v outlet
on the back of the centre console.
The BT-50 Thunder shares its equipment
specification with the GT. This means
a nine-inch (22.9cm) touchscreen
infotainment unit borrowed from Isuzu that
has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capabilities
as well as native satellite navigation and
digital radio. It presents as more of an
aftermarket solution than we would like
from Mazda, as its in-house MZD Connect
system is one of the best in the business.
That said, all the bases are covered with
quick-select shortcuts to different functions
along the bottom of the screen. Annoyingly,
the screen is prone to catching glare, which
will no doubt irritate some buyers.
Smartphone mirroring is wireless, though
there is no wireless phone charging, so you
will have to plug in to charge up anyway.
Smartphone mirroring is simple to connect
initially and the car will ask if you want
to continue using it after re-entering.
Front-row occupants are covered by one
USB-A port and one 12-volt power outlet.
There are also dual-zone climate control
and an eight-speaker stereo system to keep
passengers happy.
STRAIGHT LINE PERFORMANCE
It is not only the infotainment that the BT-50
shares with the Isuzu D-Max. As we have
alluded to several times, under the skin, the
two are nigh-on identical.
The Thunder is a slight exception as its
accessories add almost 200kg over a BT-50
GT and almost 100kg over a range-topping
D-Max X-Terrain, to the detriment of
performance and dynamics.
The three-litre turbo-diesel is a
strong, torquey unit but it has a lot of
ute to motivate, taking 10.84 seconds to
reach 100km/h and 6.3 seconds from
60–100km/h as an overtaking test.
The engine becomes vocal, even raucous,
above 3,500rpm, with quite a narrow
powerband. The ride isn’t super polished
and the electronic stability systems are a
little over-zealous.
But, it stops impressively for a dual-cab,
taking 38.82m to stop from 100km/h in the
dry and an average of 52.74m over three
runs in the wet; the average used to avoid
surface inconsistency.
Under acceleration, the Ranger Raptor
is virtually identical to the BT-50, being
a solitary hundredth of a second slower
to 100km/h (10.85 seconds) but a tenth
quicker from 60–100km/h, the benefit of
having 10 gears instead of six.
Ford’s two-litre twin-turbo diesel is an
impressive performer in lighter Ranger
variants but it is out of its depth when
FULLYLOADED.COM.AU July 2021 ATN 87