Classy and capable: Mazda BT-50 vs. Toyota Hilux

From being rough-and-tumble and bare-bones workhorses, pickup trucks today have adopted sleek styling and the latest gadgets. 

The Mazda BT-50 and Toyota Hilux — despite the former focusing more on classiness and the latter on capability — follow this current pickup trend. 

Mazda's Kodo design language translates into the BT-50 in the form of a three-dimensional signature grille and sleek LED headlamps, for starters. The front bumper seamlessly integrates into the front fascia for a cleaner look, while the hood sports creases that extend to its side mirrors.

On its sides, Kodo adds in the BT-50 flared fender panels, which are accented by 18-inch wheels with a two-tone finish. At the back, the rear combination lamps take on a similar cylindrical mold as the headlamps to make them consistent with Mazda’s preference for a round light design theme.

The new BT-50 is ready for the demanding tasks for which it was designed. Its wide 1,530mm opening, 490mm depth, and 1,751mm length make it a flexible hauler for all shapes and sizes of cargo.

A bedliner is included on all variants for enhanced surface protection for the cargo bed. The top trim also gets a functional roof rail, which allows it to carry more overhead cargo.

As for those latest gadgets, the BT-50 is outfitted with a nine-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, which is linked to an eight-speaker audio setup. 

Heat-reflecting front windshield, push-button start, and keyless entry and walk-away locking complete the equipment list. For safety, the BT-50 can apply the brakes itself to avoid a collision and keeps a watchful eye on its blind spots, among others. 

Meanwhile, Toyota's venerated Hilux may be a classic nameplate, but it has been updated to keep up with the times.  

For its exterior, the Hilux is made more rugged thanks to vivid blue and red colors. Aside from that, the top-tier Hilux variants have exclusive bi-beam LED headlamps and LED rear combination lamps with line guide, and sports bar and LED lamps. All of these details complement the Hilux's wider grille and beefier body cladding. 

The Hilux is equipped with a 6.75-inch infotainment screen with mirroring for Apple and Android phones, keyless entry, and multi-information display.

More premium Hilux variants add to these an eight-inch infotainment screen, as well as safety kit such as reversing and 360-degree view cameras, and stability control and hill start assist systems. 

For more muscle in conquering more ground, the upper Hilux trucks are powered by the 2.8-liter powerhouse that's paired to four-wheel drive. And as with any Toyota, the Hilux's running gear is blessed with bulletproof reliability. 

Aside from offering tried-and-tested simplicity and solidity, the Hilux also adds sportiness to its credentials with a Gazoo Racing-Sport variant.  

The Hilux GR-S takes inspiration from Toyota's performance arm, with its gloss black grille, GR wheels, and sports bar. This pickup even ups the sportiness intent further with monotube rear shock absorbers for better off-road performance. 

And so, the classiest and the most tech-rich BT-50 version — the 3.0L 4x4 AT — competes with the sportiest and most capable Hilux. Surely, these pickup trucks can show more than looks and gadgets — as their spec sheets below would vouch for. 

SPECIFICATIONS	Mazda BT-50 3.0L 4x4 AT	Toyota Hilux GR- Sport
Overall Length (mm)	5,280	5,320
Overall Width (mm)	1,870	1,900
Overall Height (mm)	1,810	1,815
Wheelbase (mm)	2,830	3,085
Gross Vehicle Weight (kg)	2,600	2,500
Engine Type	3.0-liter DOHC Diesel Engine In-Line Four-Cylinder Intercooler Turbocharged	2.8-liter Four-cylinder 16 Valve DOHC Variable Nozzle Turbo with Air-cooled Intercooler
Displacement (cc)	2,999	2,755
Maximum Power Output (ps / rpm)	190 / 3,600	200 / 3,400
Maximum Torque (Nm / rpm)	450 / 1,600-2,000	500 / 1,600-2,000
Transmission	Six-speed Automatic	Six-speed Automatic
Drivetrain	4x4 Shift-On-The-Fly System	4x4
Body Type	Dual Cab	Dual Cab
Front Grille	Signature Kodo: Silver Finish	Black Finish with GR Logo
Headlamps	LED with Auto On/Off	Bi-Beam LED with Auto-Leveling
Fog Lamps	With	With
Side Mirrors	Chrome; Power Adjustable with Power Fold	Body Color; Power Adjustable with Power Fold
Roof Rail	With	Without
Wipers	Rain Sensing	Intermittent
Side Step	Aluminum with Silver Paint Finish	With
Wheels	18-inch Brilliant Black Alloy Wheels with Machined Finish	Black Alloy GR Design
Tires	265/60R18	265/60R18
Bedliner	With Under-rail	With
Seat Material	Brown Leather	Suede, Leather, Red Accents
Seat Warmer	With	Without
Seat Adjustment	Driver: Eight-way Power Adjust Front Passenger: Four-way Manual Adjust	Driver: Eight-way Power Adjust Front Passenger: Four-way Manual Adjust
Steering Wheel Material	Leather	Leather
Steering Wheel Control Switch	Audio and Bluetooth	Audio and Bluetooth
Steering Column	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Cruise Control	Adaptive Cruise Control	With
Audio System	Nine-inch LCD	8.75-inch Display Audio with AM/FM Radio
Connectivity	USB, Bluetooth Hands-Free, Android Auto, and Wireless Apple Carplay	USB, Bluetooth, AUX, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and Smart Device Link (SDL)
Speakers	Eight	Six
Climate Control	Dual-Zone Automatic	Dual-Zone Automatic
Rear Aircon Vents	With	With
Overhead Console	With Sunglass Holder	With Sunglass Holder
Power Windows	Driver: One Touch Up/Down	Driver: One Touch Up/Down
Airbags	Seven Airbags including Knee Airbags	Driver, Front Passenger, Side, Curtain Shield, Driver's Knee
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	With	With
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	With Traction Control	With Traction Control
Immobilizer	With	With
Parking Camera	Reverse Parking Camera	Reverse Parking Camera
Parking Sensor	Front and Rear	Front and Rear
Burglar Alarm	With	With
Smart Keyless Entry	With Push Start/Stop	With Push Start/Stop
Hill Descent Control	With	With
Hill Launch Assist	With	With
Rear Differential Lock	With	With
Remote Engine Start	With	Without
Lane Departure Warning	With	Without
Autonomous Emergency Braking	With	Without
Blind-Spot Monitoring	With	Without
Automatic Highbeam Control	With	Without
Forward Collision Warning	With	Without
Available Body Colors	Concrete Gray, Gun Blue Metallic, Rock Gray, Volcanic Red, Icy White, True Black, and Silver Ingot	Super White, Emotional Red, Attitude Black Mica
PRICE	P1,790,000	P1,985,000

 

Photos from Mazda Philippines, Toyota Motor Philippines, and Roy Robles