Mazda BT-50 vs Mitsubishi Triton
Verdict
At RM148,418 against RM101,980, the Mazda BT-50 asks RM46,438 more, and the money buys a very different spec: five seats instead of two, automatic rather than manual, seven airbags instead of three and AEB. It also has the stronger diesel on paper, 188 hp/450 Nm versus 179 hp/430 Nm. The Mitsubishi Triton hits back with much lower road tax, RM794 a year versus RM1,638, while keeping diesel and all-wheel drive. For private use, the Mazda is easier to justify; for a lean work truck, the Mitsubishi is the harder-nosed buy.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you need five seats, an automatic gearbox, stronger outputs and more safety kit on paper.
Pick the Mitsubishi Triton if you want the lower entry cost, cheaper road tax and are happy with two seats and a manual gearbox.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM148,418; Mitsubishi Triton RM101,980
- Seats: Mazda BT-50 5; Mitsubishi Triton 2
- Engine output: Mazda BT-50 188 hp/450 Nm; Mitsubishi Triton 179 hp/430 Nm
- Transmission: Mazda BT-50 conventional automatic; Mitsubishi Triton manual
- Safety: Mazda BT-50 7 airbags with AEB; Mitsubishi Triton 3 airbags with no AEB listed
- Road tax: Mazda BT-50 RM1,638/year; Mitsubishi Triton RM794/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 148,418 | RM 101,980✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | 2,999 cc | 2,442 cc |
| Power | 188 hp✓ | 179 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 430 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| Top speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,280 mm | 2,340 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,580 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm | — |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | — |
| Fuel tank | 76 L | 75 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7✓ | 3 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 1,638 | RM 794✓ |
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.
BT-50
- Five-seat cabin
- Automatic transmission
- Seven airbags and AEB
- Costs RM46,438 more
- Road tax is RM844 higher per year
- Larger 2,999 cc engine means higher tax
Triton
- Much lower purchase price
- Cheaper annual road tax
- Manual gearbox for work use
- Two seats only
- Lower 179 hp and 430 Nm outputs
- Three airbags and no AEB listed
BT-50 vs Triton FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Mitsubishi Triton better?
The Mazda BT-50 is better for private use because it has five seats, an automatic gearbox, higher outputs, seven airbags and AEB. The Mitsubishi Triton makes more sense as a cheaper two-seat work truck.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda BT-50 costs RM46,438 more than the Mitsubishi Triton. That gap mainly buys more seats, an automatic transmission, stronger engine figures and extra listed safety equipment.
Which one is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Mitsubishi Triton is cheaper on road tax at RM794 per year, compared with RM1,638 for the Mazda BT-50. That is an RM844 annual saving for the Mitsubishi.