Verdict
These two cost nearly the same: the Hyundai Tucson is RM143,888 and the Mazda BT-50 RM140,418. For a Malaysian family, the Tucson’s five-door SUV body, 582-litre boot and RM440 annual road tax make more day-to-day sense. The BT-50 is the working tool: its 3.0-litre diesel produces 188 hp and 450 Nm, drives all four wheels and has a 76-litre tank. It also brings adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking, but its RM1,638 road tax and 5,280-mm length demand consideration.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you want a five-door SUV with a 582-litre boot, lower RM440 road tax and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you need 450 Nm, all-wheel drive, a larger 76-litre tank and active safety aids including autonomous braking.
Key differences
- Engine output: Hyundai Tucson 154 hp and 192 Nm; Mazda BT-50 188 hp and 450 Nm.
- Driveline: Hyundai Tucson front-wheel drive; Mazda BT-50 all-wheel drive.
- Annual road tax: Hyundai Tucson RM440; Mazda BT-50 RM1,638.
- Length: Hyundai Tucson 4,630 mm; Mazda BT-50 5,280 mm.
- Warranty: Hyundai Tucson eight years/160,000 km; Mazda BT-50 five years/100,000 km.
- Cruise control: Hyundai Tucson passive cruise control; Mazda BT-50 adaptive cruise control.
Tucson
- RM440 annual road tax versus RM1,638.
- 582-litre boot and five doors.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the BT-50’s 188 hp and 450 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive where the BT-50 has all-wheel drive.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot information system.
BT-50
- 188 hp, 450 Nm diesel and all-wheel drive.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot information system.
- Adaptive cruise control and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
- RM1,638 annual road tax is RM1,198 higher.
- At 5,280 mm, it is 650 mm longer than the Tucson.
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty is shorter than the Tucson’s eight-year/160,000-km cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM143,888 | RM140,418✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Pickup |
| Segment | C-Segment | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM1,638 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp | 188 hp✓ |
| Torque | 192 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 81 mm | 95.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 16.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 6AT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 181 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 5,280 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,870 mm |
| Height | 1,665 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 1,488 kg | 2,015 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 54 litres | 76 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 582 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 265/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 265/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 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 Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
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 Tucson & BT-50 for sale
Tucson vs BT-50 FAQ
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Mazda BT-50 better?
The Tucson is better for conventional family use, with five doors, a 582-litre boot and much lower road tax. Choose the BT-50 for its 450 Nm diesel, all-wheel drive and active safety equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Tucson costs RM3,470 more than the Mazda BT-50.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Mazda BT-50 has the stronger active-safety list, adding Smart City Brake Support, collision warning, blind-spot information and adaptive cruise control. Both have ABS/EBD, stability control, six airbags and a reverse camera.