Mazda BT-50 vs Subaru Outback
Verdict
The Mazda BT-50 is the cheaper, harder-working shape here: RM148,418 plays RM280,390, yet it has 188 hp and 450 Nm from a 2,999 cc diesel. The Subaru Outback is the quicker road car on paper, with a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time, 206 km/h top speed and a 522-litre boot. Both are CBU, seat five, drive all four wheels, get seven airbags, AEB and a five-year warranty, so this comes down to pickup utility versus wagon pace and luggage space.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you want the pickup body, diesel torque and much lower entry price.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want a wagon with a quoted 522-litre boot, 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time and higher top speed.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM148,418; Subaru Outback RM280,390
- Body/segment: Mazda BT-50 pickup, Truck/4X4; Subaru Outback wagon, D-segment
- Engine and fuel: Mazda BT-50 2,999 cc diesel; Subaru Outback 2,498 cc petrol
- Output: Mazda BT-50 188 hp/450 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp/245 Nm
- Size: Mazda BT-50 5,280 mm long/1,810 mm tall; Subaru Outback 4,870 mm long/1,682 mm tall
- Performance: Mazda BT-50 180 km/h top speed; Subaru Outback 206 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 9.6 s
BT-50
- Much cheaper to buy
- Big 450 Nm diesel torque
- Longer 3,125 mm wheelbase
- Higher RM1,638 annual road tax
- No quoted boot space
- Lower 180 km/h top speed
Outback
- 522-litre boot quoted
- Quicker top speed at 206 km/h
- Lower RM878 annual road tax
- Costs RM131,972 more
- Much lower 245 Nm torque
- Smaller 63-litre fuel tank
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 148,418✓ | RM 280,390 |
| Body type | Pickup | Wagon |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 95.4 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.3 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6AT | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,280 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,015 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Ladder Frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Drum Brakes | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| 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 | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 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 |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 8 Speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,638 | RM 878✓ |
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 Outback FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Subaru Outback better?
The Mazda BT-50 is better if price and diesel torque matter most. The Subaru Outback is better if you want wagon practicality with a quoted 522-litre boot, 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time and 206 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM131,972 more than the Mazda BT-50, at RM280,390 versus RM148,418.
Do both get all-wheel drive and the same safety count?
Yes. Both have all-wheel drive, seven airbags, auto emergency braking and a five-year warranty, so the basic safety and drivetrain lines are very close on paper.