Mazda BT-50 vs Peugeot 408
Verdict
At RM148,418, the Mazda BT-50 is only RM2,363 above the RM146,055 Peugeot 408, but the money buys completely different hardware. The Mazda is a 5,280 mm ladder-frame pickup with AWD, a 3.0 diesel, 450 Nm and a 76-litre tank; the Peugeot is a 4,687 mm CKD sedan with a 1.6 turbo petrol, 215 hp, an 8AT, a 536-litre boot and 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time. Running costs swing hard: RM1,638 road tax for the BT-50 against RM90 for the 408.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you need AWD, ladder-frame construction, 450 Nm of diesel torque and a full-size alloy spare more than sedan-like tax and warranty terms.
Pick the Peugeot 408 if you want the sharper on-paper passenger car: 215 hp, 8AT, 536-litre boot, RM90 road tax and 7-year/200,000 km warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM148,418; Peugeot 408 RM146,055
- Engine output: Mazda BT-50 188 hp/450 Nm; Peugeot 408 215 hp/300 Nm
- Driveline and chassis: Mazda BT-50 AWD ladder frame; Peugeot 408 FWD unibody
- Size: Mazda BT-50 5,280 mm long/1,810 mm tall; Peugeot 408 4,687 mm long/1,510 mm tall
- Transmission: Mazda BT-50 6AT; Peugeot 408 Aisin 8-speed automatic
- Warranty and road tax: Mazda BT-50 5 years/100,000 km and RM1,638; Peugeot 408 7 years/200,000 km and RM90
BT-50
- Much higher torque: 450 Nm versus 300 Nm
- AWD and ladder-frame construction where the Peugeot 408 is FWD and unibody
- 76-litre fuel tank and full-size alloy spare
- Lower power: 188 hp versus 215 hp
- Shorter warranty: 5 years/100,000 km versus 7 years/200,000 km
- Far higher annual road tax: RM1,638 versus RM90
408
- More power: 215 hp versus 188 hp
- 8-speed automatic versus the Mazda BT-50’s 6AT
- Longer warranty and much lower road tax
- Lower torque: 300 Nm versus 450 Nm
- FWD unibody layout, not AWD ladder-frame
- Smaller fuel tank and space-saver spare
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 148,418 | RM 146,055✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | Sedan |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | 16-Valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 215 hp✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 95.4 mm | 77 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.3 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6AT | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,280 mm | 4,687 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,859 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,787 mm |
| Weight | 2,015 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 536 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek | Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Ladder Frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Drum Brakes | Solid Discs |
| 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 Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| 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 | Driver Powered Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage | 60:40 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, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| 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 | 10" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 200,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,638 | RM 90✓ |
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 vs 408 FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Peugeot 408 better?
For passenger-car use, the Peugeot 408 is the better fit on paper: more power, lower road tax, longer warranty and a proper boot. Choose the Mazda BT-50 if AWD, ladder-frame construction and 450 Nm matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda BT-50 costs RM148,418, while the Peugeot 408 costs RM146,055. That makes the Mazda RM2,363 more expensive.
Which one is cheaper to tax in Malaysia?
The Peugeot 408 is much cheaper on annual road tax at RM90. The Mazda BT-50’s 3.0-litre diesel carries RM1,638 road tax.