With another 3000km on the clock, the 2024 Mazda BT-50 Thunder Pro continues to impress on every level. It’s rare to find a vehicle that ticks all the boxes—superior suspension, incredible towing power, and an ultra-comfortable cabin—but this ute just keeps delivering after 20,000km in a few months.
SUPREME SUSPENSION AND COMFORT
Let’s start with the suspension. After all this time, the Old Man Emu setup still blows us away. Whether loaded up with bikes or driving solo, the suspension provides a smooth, controlled ride over every type of terrain we’ve thrown at it. It’s so much better than the stock leaf spring gear found in most utes. From potholed backroads to fast-moving highways, it absorbs all the bumps and jolts, keeping everything in the tub stable and keeping us comfortable behind the wheel. It’s truly been a game-changer for long hauls, allowing us to arrive at our destination ready to ride, not sore and worn out from the drive.
The cabin comfort is another huge plus. Spending hours on end in the BT-50 Thunder Pro doesn’t feel like a chore; it’s actually enjoyable. The seats are supportive, the controls are within easy reach, and the whole setup just feels well thought out. Long drives can sometimes be a grind, but the BT-50’s cab setup makes it easy to get in, buckle up, and settle into a cozy ride.
TOWING CAPABILITIES: INCREDIBLE AS EVER
Towing with the BT-50 remains impressive. Whether we’re hauling a trailer packed with bikes or just carrying a load of gear, the ute never feels underpowered. The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine handles it all with ease, providing smooth acceleration and plenty of grunt when you need it. This ute is a reliable towing partner, making light work of heavy loads and navigating hills or winding roads with absolute confidence.
THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING NUMBER PLATE
Now, onto a funny (and slightly frustrating) experience this month: the mystery of the disappearing number plate. In an attempt to secure it to the bike rack, we used heavy-duty cable ties. But, after a day’s worth of bumps and jolts on rough terrain, those ties snapped, and the number plate vanished somewhere along the way! We’ve seen a few makeshift cardboard plates out there, but we’re a bit hesitant to go that route—don’t want to give the cops a reason to pull us over, after all.
Has anyone else out there had this problem? Losing the plate like this has us thinking we should probably invest in a separate, dedicated number plate for the bike rack setup. Something more durable and designed for the job might be the best solution and obviously an official plate. It would keep everything secure and save us from the hassle (and potential fines) of makeshift plates.
FINAL THOUGHTS
After another solid month and 3000km of testing, the Mazda BT-50 Thunder Pro remains an outstanding vehicle for anyone in the dirt bike or adventure bike world. It’s hard to beat the combination of comfort, towing capability, and rugged suspension that this ute offers. Even with the minor mishap of the missing plate, it’s been another excellent month of testing.
This ute has proven itself as a dependable workhorse for all types of riding adventures. We’ll continue to put it through its paces, and maybe by next month, we’ll have a new solution for the number plate situation.
