Verdict
The Mazda CX-5 costs RM5,949 less at RM134,469 and its RM439 annual road tax is RM1,199 below the BT-50’s. It is also 730 mm shorter, has five doors and a 442-litre boot, which makes the C-segment SUV the easier daily proposition. The RM140,418 BT-50 answers with a 3.0-litre diesel producing 188 hp and 450 Nm, versus 162 hp and 213 Nm, plus all-wheel drive, a full-size alloy spare and more driver-assistance hardware. Choose it for torque and its pickup format, not lower running costs.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you need a pickup with 450 Nm, all-wheel drive and Smart City Brake Support.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you want the lower-priced, shorter five-door SUV with a 442-litre boot and much lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM140,418; Mazda CX-5 RM134,469.
- Annual road tax: Mazda BT-50 RM1,638; Mazda CX-5 RM439.
- Torque: Mazda BT-50 450 Nm; Mazda CX-5 213 Nm.
- Driveline: Mazda BT-50 all-wheel drive; Mazda CX-5 front-wheel drive.
- Length: Mazda BT-50 5,280 mm; Mazda CX-5 4,550 mm.
- Boot space: Mazda BT-50 not stated; Mazda CX-5 442 litres.
BT-50
- 188 hp 3.0-litre diesel with 450 Nm
- All-wheel drive and 18-inch alloy wheels
- Blind-spot monitoring, SCBS and adaptive cruise control
- Costs RM5,949 more and has RM1,199 higher annual road tax
- 730 mm longer and has four doors to the CX-5’s five
- No boot-space figure, where the CX-5 has 442 litres
CX-5
- RM134,469 price and RM439 annual road tax
- 442-litre boot and five doors
- Navigation, electronic parking brake and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
- 213 Nm is 237 Nm down on the BT-50’s 450 Nm
- Front-wheel drive versus the BT-50’s all-wheel drive
- Lacks the BT-50’s blind-spot monitoring, Smart City Brake Support and adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM140,418 | RM134,469✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | SUV |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,638 | RM439✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp✓ | 162 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 213 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 95.4 mm | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.3 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6AT | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 10.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h✓ | 176 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,280 mm | 4,550 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm | 1,675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 2,015 kg | 1,588 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 56 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 8 Speakers | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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 BT-50 & CX-5 for sale
BT-50 vs CX-5 FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Mazda CX-5 better?
The CX-5 is the better fit for lower purchase cost, RM439 road tax, five doors and a 442-litre boot. Pick the BT-50 instead if its 450 Nm diesel, all-wheel drive and additional safety-assistance features matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda BT-50 is RM5,949 more expensive than the Mazda CX-5: RM140,418 against RM134,469.
Which has more safety assistance equipment?
The BT-50 has the stronger listed suite, with blind-spot monitoring, collision warning, Smart City Brake Support, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control and front parking sensors. The CX-5 has no listed autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.