Verdict
At RM140,418, the Mazda BT-50 saves RM55,462 and brings a 3.0-litre diesel with 188 hp and 450 Nm, versus the Toyota Fortuner’s 2.4-litre, 148 hp and 400 Nm. It is also far better equipped for assistance and infotainment, with Smart City Brake Support, adaptive cruise control and a 9-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But the Fortuner answers the family brief properly: seven seats, a 200-litre boot and multi-link rear suspension. Its RM754 annual road tax also undercuts the BT-50’s RM1,638.
Pick the Mazda BT-50 if you want RM55,462 in savings, 40 hp and 50 Nm more, plus a much stronger active-safety and infotainment list.
Pick the Toyota Fortuner if you need seven seats, a 200-litre boot and a multi-link rear suspension rather than a five-seat pickup layout.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda BT-50 RM140,418; Toyota Fortuner RM195,880.
- Engine output: Mazda BT-50 188 hp and 450 Nm; Toyota Fortuner 148 hp and 400 Nm.
- Seating: Mazda BT-50 5 seats; Toyota Fortuner 7 seats.
- Length and wheelbase: Mazda BT-50 5,280 mm and 3,125 mm; Toyota Fortuner 4,795 mm and 2,745 mm.
- Rear suspension: Mazda BT-50 leaf springs; Toyota Fortuner multi-link.
- Annual road tax: Mazda BT-50 RM1,638; Toyota Fortuner RM754.
BT-50
- 188 hp and 450 Nm from the 3.0-litre diesel.
- Smart City Brake Support, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
- 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and eight speakers.
- Five seats versus the Fortuner’s seven.
- RM1,638 annual road tax versus RM754.
- Leaf-spring rear suspension instead of multi-link.
Fortuner
- Seven seats and a 200-litre boot.
- Multi-link rear suspension.
- RM754 annual road tax is RM884 lower.
- 148 hp and 400 Nm trail the BT-50 by 40 hp and 50 Nm.
- No listed autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring, collision warning or adaptive cruise control.
- Halogen projector headlamps and a CD/MP3 player with six speakers trail the BT-50’s Bi-LED lamps and 9-inch touchscreen.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM140,418✓ | RM195,880 |
| Body type | Pickup | SUV |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,638 | RM754✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Common-Rail Direct Injection | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,999 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp at 3,600 rpm✓ | 148 hp at 3,400 rpm |
| Torque | 450 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 95.4 mm × 104.9 mm | 92 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16.3 | 15.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6AT | 6-speed Automatic with Sequential Shifter |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,280 mm | 4,795 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,810 mm | 1,835 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,015 kg | 2,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 76 litres | 80 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | — | 200 litres |
| 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) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 4 stars — With 3 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Folding Bench with Tip-up Under-seat Storage | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Blower control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Middle Row, 1 Boot, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 4 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 8 Speakers | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 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 |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Premium Solar and Security Tint, Front Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 BT-50 & Fortuner for sale
BT-50 vs Fortuner FAQ
Is the Mazda BT-50 or Toyota Fortuner better?
The BT-50 is the better-equipped and more powerful choice, with 188 hp, 450 Nm, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. Choose the Fortuner if seven seats and its 200-litre boot are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Fortuner costs RM55,462 more than the Mazda BT-50. The Fortuner also has lower annual road tax: RM754 against RM1,638.
Which one is better for carrying seven people?
The Toyota Fortuner is the only seven-seater here, with 60:40 split-folding middle-row seats and 50:50 split-folding last-row seats. The Mazda BT-50 has five seats.
