Verdict
The Mazda BT-50 TF Facelift is the substantial upgrade for a Malaysian buyer who needs a proper five-seat pickup: its 3.0-litre diesel delivers 188 hp and 450 Nm against the TF’s 148 hp and 350 Nm, and it pairs that with a 6AT rather than a manual. The RM47,689 gap also brings seven airbags, Smart City Brake Support, adaptive cruise control and a far more useful cabin. But the older TF is 215 kg lighter, costs far less to tax annually and remains the sensible work-focused two-seater.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 TF if you want the lower-cost, lighter 2WD? No, all-wheel-drive work pickup and can live with two seats and a six-speed manual.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 TF Facelift if you need five seats, an automatic, 450 Nm and modern driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Price: RM92,729 for the Mazda BT-50 TF versus RM140,418 for the Mazda BT-50 TF Facelift.
- Engine output: 1,898 cc, 148 hp and 350 Nm versus 2,999 cc, 188 hp and 450 Nm.
- Transmission: six-speed manual versus six-speed conventional automatic with Tiptronic.
- Cabin capacity: two doors and two seats versus four doors and five seats.
- Kerb weight and size: 1,800 kg and 5,320 mm long versus 2,015 kg and 5,280 mm long.
- Airbags: two airbags versus seven airbags, including front side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags.
TF
- RM47,689 cheaper to buy.
- 215 kg lighter.
- RM399 annual road tax versus RM1,638.
- Only 148 hp and 350 Nm versus 188 hp and 450 Nm.
- Two-seat, two-door cabin instead of five seats and four doors.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, reverse camera or adaptive cruise control.
TF Facelift
- 188 hp and 450 Nm from the 3.0-litre diesel.
- Six-speed automatic, five seats and four doors.
- Seven airbags, Smart City Brake Support and adaptive cruise control.
- Costs RM47,689 more.
- RM1,638 annual road tax versus RM399.
- 215 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM92,729✓ | RM140,418 |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM399✓ | RM1,638 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common Rail Direct Injection | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection |
| Capacity | 1,898 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 148 hp | 188 hp✓ |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore | 80 mm | 95.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 6AT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,320 mm | 5,280 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,870 mm |
| Height | 1,770 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,015 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 76 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Front Tyre | 205/R16C | 265/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/R16C | 265/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Steel | Full-size Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop AT25 Grandtrek |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 16" Steel | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Steel | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Driver and Front Passenger Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | — | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with CD, MP3, AUX and USB, 2 Speakers | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | — | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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 cars for sale
TF vs TF Facelift FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 TF or Mazda BT-50 TF Facelift better?
The Mazda BT-50 TF Facelift is better for most private buyers, with 40 hp and 100 Nm more, a six-speed automatic, five seats and substantially stronger safety equipment. The TF makes sense only as the cheaper, lighter two-seat work truck.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda BT-50 TF Facelift costs RM47,689 more than the Mazda BT-50 TF: RM140,418 against RM92,729.
Which Mazda BT-50 has lower running tax?
The Mazda BT-50 TF has much lower annual road tax at RM399. The Mazda BT-50 TF Facelift’s larger 2,999 cc diesel engine raises this to RM1,638 per year.