Mazda BT-50 vs Suzuki Fronx
Verdict
At almost the same money, this is really about job scope: the Mazda BT-50 costs RM148,418, only RM530 more than the RM147,888 Suzuki Fronx, but brings a 2,999 cc diesel with 188 hp and 450 Nm, AWD, ladder-frame construction and a 5.28-metre body. The Fronx is the easier urban car: 3,995 mm long, front-driven, petrol mild-hybrid assisted, and fitted with a 360-degree camera, head-up display and lane steering correction. One is a workhorse with comfort kit; the other is a city SUV with more parking-friendly tech.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you need diesel torque, AWD, a ladder-frame chassis and the larger 76-litre fuel tank.
Pick the Suzuki Fronx if you want a smaller five-door SUV with mild-hybrid petrol assistance, 360-degree camera support and lane steering correction.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM148,418; Suzuki Fronx RM147,888
- Output: Mazda BT-50 188 hp/450 Nm; Suzuki Fronx 100 hp/138 Nm
- Drivetrain: Mazda BT-50 AWD; Suzuki Fronx front-wheel drive
- Size: Mazda BT-50 5,280 mm long/1,870 mm wide; Suzuki Fronx 3,995 mm long/1,765 mm wide
- Fuel tank: Mazda BT-50 76 litres; Suzuki Fronx 37 litres
- Warranty: Mazda BT-50 5 years/100,000 km; Suzuki Fronx 3 years/100,000 km plus 5-year/100,000 km battery warranty
BT-50
- Much stronger 188 hp and 450 Nm diesel output
- AWD and ladder-frame construction suit heavier-duty use
- Adds dual-zone climate control, power driver’s seat, front parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers
- Far larger footprint at 5,280 mm long versus 3,995 mm
- Lane assist is warning only, while the Fronx has steering correction
- No 360-degree camera or head-up display
Fronx
- Smaller SUV body is easier to place in town
- Gets 360-degree camera, head-up display and paddle shift
- Lane keeping includes steering correction
- Only 100 hp and 138 Nm versus the BT-50’s 188 hp and 450 Nm
- Front-wheel drive only, against the BT-50’s AWD
- Shorter manufacturer warranty at 3 years/100,000 km versus 5 years/100,000 km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 148,418 | RM 147,888✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | SUV |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing and Mild-hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 188 hp✓ | 100 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 138 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 95.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16.3 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6AT | 6AT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,280 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,520 mm |
| Weight | 2,015 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 37 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 308 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 195/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Indonesia (CBU) |
| Chassis | Ladder Frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Drum Brakes | Drum Brakes |
| 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 & 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 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 | For Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector |
| 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 | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-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, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 8 Speakers | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 6 Spekers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| 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, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5-year/100,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,638 | — |
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 Fronx FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Suzuki Fronx better?
The Mazda BT-50 is better for torque, AWD and heavy-duty use. The Suzuki Fronx is better for town use, with a smaller body, 360-degree camera, head-up display and lane steering correction.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda BT-50 costs RM148,418 and the Suzuki Fronx costs RM147,888, so the Mazda is RM530 more expensive.
Which is easier to park in Malaysia?
The Suzuki Fronx is easier on paper: it is 3,995 mm long versus the BT-50’s 5,280 mm, and it adds a 360-degree camera. Both have rear parking sensors.