Verdict
The Mazda BT-50 is the pragmatic diesel buy: at RM148,418 it is RM77,882 less than the RM226,300 Toyota Hilux, yet both are CBU AWD pick-ups with five seats, seven airbags, AEB and a five-year warranty. The Toyota counters with an electric dual-motor layout, 193 hp, a 59.2 kWh battery and 257 km range, plus RM160 annual road tax. The Mazda gives you 450 Nm, a 76-litre fuel tank and RM1,638 road tax. On paper, the Hilux buys electrification; the BT-50 buys lower entry cost.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you want the much cheaper AWD diesel pick-up with 450 Nm, a 76-litre tank and lower upfront spend.
Pick the Toyota Hilux if you want the electric AWD pick-up, can work with 257 km of range and prefer RM160 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM148,418; Toyota Hilux RM226,300
- Powertrain: Mazda 2,999 cc diesel, 188 hp and 450 Nm; Toyota dual-motor electric, 193 hp and torque not stated
- Energy storage: Mazda 76-litre fuel tank; Toyota 59.2 kWh battery with 257 km EV range
- Transmission: Mazda conventional automatic; Toyota single-ratio automatic
- Size: Mazda 5,280/1,870/1,810 mm; Toyota 5,320/1,855/1,845 mm
- Road tax: Mazda RM1,638 a year; Toyota RM160 a year
BT-50
- RM77,882 cheaper to buy
- 450 Nm diesel torque
- Longer 3,125 mm wheelbase
- RM1,638 annual road tax
- Slightly less power at 188 hp
- No EV range figure because it is diesel
Hilux
- Electric dual-motor AWD
- Lower RM160 annual road tax
- Slightly higher 193 hp output
- Much higher RM226,300 price
- 257 km EV range needs to fit your usage
- Narrower body and shorter wheelbase than the Mazda
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM148,418✓ | RM226,300 |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | — |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | — |
| Torque | 450 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Diesel | Electric |
| Bore | 95.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 16.3 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 193 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 473 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 59.2 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 257 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 10 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 125 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6AT | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,280 mm | 5,320 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm | 1,845 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 3,085 mm |
| Weight | 2,015 kg | 2,455 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 265/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 265/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Alloy | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek | Bridgestone Dueler A/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | De Dion Rear Axle |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Aero Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Aero Alloy |
| 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, 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage | 60:40 Tip-up base |
| 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 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| 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 | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 8-speaker 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 |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 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 | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,638 | RM160✓ |
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 & Hilux for sale
BT-50 vs Hilux FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Toyota Hilux better?
For most buyers watching budget, the Mazda BT-50 makes more sense because it costs RM77,882 less and still gets AWD, seven airbags and AEB. The Toyota Hilux is better if you specifically want the electric powertrain and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda BT-50 costs RM148,418, while the Toyota Hilux costs RM226,300. That makes the Hilux RM77,882 more expensive before considering running costs such as road tax.
Which one is cheaper to tax in Malaysia?
The Toyota Hilux is much cheaper to tax at RM160 a year. The Mazda BT-50’s annual road tax is RM1,638, so the Toyota saves RM1,478 a year on that line item.