Verdict
At RM19,382 more, the RM159,800 Chery Tiggo 8 suits a Malaysian family needing seven seats, a 90 km EV range from its 18.3 kWh battery and RM120 annual road tax. Its 201 hp, 310 Nm motor also gives it an electrified edge the diesel Mazda cannot match. The RM140,418 BT-50 is the harder-working alternative: its 3.0 litre diesel produces 188 hp and 450 Nm, sends drive to all four wheels and costs less upfront, but its RM1,638 yearly road tax is substantial. These are close only if your needs span family transport and pickup utility.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 8 if seven seats, 90 km of electric driving and much lower annual road tax matter more than four-wheel drive.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you need an all-wheel-drive pickup with 450 Nm of diesel torque and a lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 8 RM159,800; Mazda BT-50 RM140,418.
- Annual road tax: Chery Tiggo 8 RM120; Mazda BT-50 RM1,638.
- Seating: Chery Tiggo 8 seven seats; Mazda BT-50 five seats.
- Electric capability: Chery Tiggo 8 has an 18.3 kWh battery and 90 km EV range; Mazda BT-50 has no motor, battery or EV range.
- Driveline: Chery Tiggo 8 front-wheel drive; Mazda BT-50 all-wheel drive.
- Torque: Chery Tiggo 8 petrol engine 215 Nm and motor 310 Nm; Mazda BT-50 diesel engine 450 Nm.
Tiggo 8
- Seven seats versus five.
- 90 km EV range from an 18.3 kWh battery.
- RM120 annual road tax and a seven-year/150,000 km warranty.
- Costs RM19,382 more.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size alloy spare.
BT-50
- 450 Nm from its 3.0 litre diesel engine.
- All-wheel drive.
- RM19,382 lower purchase price and a full-size alloy spare wheel.
- RM1,638 annual road tax versus RM120.
- Five seats versus seven.
- No electric-only range, battery or V2L supply.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM159,800 | RM140,418✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Pickup |
| Segment | D-Segment | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM1,638 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 188 hp✓ |
| Torque | 215 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Diesel |
| Bore | 77 mm | 95.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 16.3 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 90 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | DHT | 6AT |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,725 mm | 5,280 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,870 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,710 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 1,916 kg | 2,015 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 76 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 193 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 265/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 265/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat, Ventilated Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Second Row | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10-speaker Sony Sound System | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km battery and drive unit warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Tiggo 8 & BT-50 for sale
Tiggo 8 vs BT-50 FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 8 or Mazda BT-50 better?
The Tiggo 8 is better for seven-seat family use, electric driving and low road tax. The BT-50 is better for buyers who need a pickup, all-wheel drive and 450 Nm of diesel torque.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 8 costs RM19,382 more than the Mazda BT-50: RM159,800 against RM140,418.
Which has the lower annual road tax?
The Chery Tiggo 8 is far cheaper to tax at RM120 per year. The Mazda BT-50's annual road tax is RM1,638, a RM1,518 difference.