Mazda BT-50 vs Toyota Corolla
Verdict
At RM148,418 versus RM144,800, the Mazda BT-50 asks RM3,618 more, but the cars are built for very different jobs. The BT-50 is a 5,280 mm ladder-frame diesel pickup with all-wheel drive, 188 hp and 450 Nm; it is the workhorse here. The Toyota Corolla is a 4,630 mm unibody sedan with front-wheel drive, 137 hp and 172 Nm; it is lighter, lower and much cheaper to tax at RM279 a year instead of RM1,638. For most urban buyers, that matters.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you need a diesel pickup with all-wheel drive, a ladder frame, 450 Nm and a 76-litre tank.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if you want the lower-running-cost sedan, with 5-star NCAP ratings, a 470-litre boot and unlimited-mileage warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM148,418; Toyota Corolla RM144,800
- Engine output: Mazda BT-50 188 hp and 450 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm
- Driveline and chassis: Mazda BT-50 all-wheel drive, ladder frame; Toyota Corolla front-wheel drive, unibody
- Size and weight: Mazda BT-50 5,280 mm long and 2,015 kg; Toyota Corolla 4,630 mm long and 1,365 kg
- Fuel tank and road tax: Mazda BT-50 76 litres and RM1,638/year; Toyota Corolla 50 litres and RM279/year
- Warranty: Mazda BT-50 5 years/100,000 km; Toyota Corolla 5 years/unlimited mileage
BT-50
- Far stronger diesel: 188 hp and 450 Nm versus 137 hp and 172 Nm
- All-wheel drive, ladder frame and leaf-spring rear suspension suit pickup duties
- More driver-assist kit on paper: blind spot monitoring, SCBS autonomous braking, collision warning and lane warning
- RM1,638 annual road tax is far higher than the Corolla’s RM279
- Much larger and heavier: 5,280 mm and 2,015 kg versus 4,630 mm and 1,365 kg
- Rear drum brakes, while the Corolla uses rear solid discs
Corolla
- Lower price and much lower annual road tax
- 5-star Euro NCAP, ANCAP and ASEAN NCAP ratings
- 470-litre boot, 360-degree camera, electronic parking brake and adaptive cruise with steering assist and stop-go
- Much less torque: 172 Nm versus the BT-50’s 450 Nm
- Front-wheel drive only, while the BT-50 has all-wheel drive
- Smaller 50-litre fuel tank versus the BT-50’s 76 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 148,418 | RM 144,800✓ |
| Body type | Pickup | Sedan |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | C-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 |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp✓ | 137 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 172 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 95.4 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.3 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6AT | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,280 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 2,015 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Chassis | Ladder Frame | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Drum Brakes | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and 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 on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| 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 | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,638 | RM 279✓ |
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 Corolla FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Toyota Corolla better?
The Mazda BT-50 is better for pickup use, diesel torque and all-wheel drive. The Toyota Corolla is better for daily sedan duties, lower road tax, NCAP ratings and warranty mileage.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda BT-50 costs RM148,418, while the Toyota Corolla costs RM144,800. That makes the BT-50 RM3,618 more expensive before looking at running costs.
Which one is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Toyota Corolla is much cheaper to tax at RM279 per year. The Mazda BT-50’s 2,999 cc diesel attracts RM1,638 per year, a RM1,359 annual difference.