Verdict
These are radically different answers to a Malaysian buyer’s needs. The Mazda BT-50 costs RM9,530 more at RM140,418, but brings a 3.0-litre diesel with 188 hp and 450 Nm, all-wheel drive, and a 76-litre tank. The Suzuki Fronx is the easier urban proposition: it is 1,285 mm shorter, has a 308-litre boot and costs only RM120 a year in road tax against the BT-50’s RM1,638. Choose the Mazda for diesel torque and truck dimensions; choose the Fronx for lower ownership tax and compact SUV use.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you need 450 Nm from a 3.0-litre diesel, all-wheel drive and a pickup body.
Pick the Suzuki Fronx if you want a compact 3,995-mm SUV with RM120 annual road tax, a 308-litre boot and a 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM140,418; Suzuki Fronx RM130,888.
- Engine output: Mazda BT-50 188 hp and 450 Nm; Suzuki Fronx 100 hp and 138 Nm.
- Driveline: Mazda BT-50 all-wheel drive; Suzuki Fronx front-wheel drive.
- Length: Mazda BT-50 5,280 mm; Suzuki Fronx 3,995 mm.
- Road tax: Mazda BT-50 RM1,638 per year; Suzuki Fronx RM120 per year.
- Fuel tank: Mazda BT-50 76 litres; Suzuki Fronx 37 litres.
BT-50
- 188 hp and 450 Nm 3.0-litre turbodiesel.
- All-wheel drive and 265/60R18 tyres.
- Five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- RM1,638 annual road tax versus the Fronx’s RM120.
- 1,285 mm longer than the Fronx.
- No head-up display or 360-degree camera.
Fronx
- RM9,530 lower purchase price.
- 308-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Head-up display, 360-degree camera and lane-keeping steering correction.
- 100 hp and 138 Nm are well down on the BT-50’s 188 hp and 450 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- Three-year manufacturer warranty versus five years for the BT-50.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM140,418 | RM130,888✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | SUV |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,638 | RM120✓ |
| 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 | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp✓ | 100 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 138 Nm |
| 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 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | — |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Indonesia (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 |
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 & Fronx for sale
BT-50 vs Fronx FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Suzuki Fronx better?
The BT-50 is better for buyers needing a 3.0-litre diesel, 450 Nm and all-wheel drive. The Fronx is better for compact-SUV driving, with a 3,995-mm length, 308-litre boot and much lower RM120 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda BT-50 costs RM140,418 and the Suzuki Fronx costs RM130,888, so the BT-50 is RM9,530 more expensive.
Which has the longer warranty?
The Mazda BT-50 has a five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty. The Suzuki Fronx has a three-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty, plus a five-year/100,000 km battery warranty.