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Mazda BT-50 v Toyota HiLux head to head

Toyota’s flagship SR5 has a new leather-clad rival.

Drive Team

23:5118 September 2016

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Mazda BT-50 v Toyota HiLux head to head

Value

Mazda

Mazda introduced its BT-50 Kuroi pack in June. Priced from $53,590 drive away, the special edition model sits above the regular GT model and includes satellite navigation, reversing camera, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, premium paint, 17-inch black alloy wheels, black sports bar, black nudge bar, black side steps, Lightforce driving lights, soft tonneau cover, fog lights and sonic animal repeller (ShuRoo). Safety comprises six airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, trailer sway control, hill start assist and hill descent control.

Toyota

The HiLux was updated late last year, with the SR5 automatic driven here sitting atop the 31 model-strong range. The flagship gets, as you'd expect, plenty of gear, with keyless entry and start, digital radio, radio apps and a larger seven-inch touch screen over and above the BT-50. It misses out on driving lights and the sonic animal repeller, while premium paint costs extra.

The HiLux sports identical safety save for an additional drivers knee airbag.

But with on-road costs on top of its $55,990 sticker price (manual costs $2000 less), it is considerably more to purchase than its rival.

Winner: Mazda

Inside

Mazda

Changes to the BT-50 haven't been too dramatic in Kuroi guise, closely paralleling an interior formula that has held the regular model in good stead for some years. Space is plentiful across both rows, complemented by ample storage. The cabin's sole USB point is packaged away in the glovebox instead of on the dashboard.

The BT gives away most points in its dated centre fascia. It looks and operates like an aftermarket display, lacking the functionality of the Toyota system. In addition, the reversing camera picture is projected within the rear view mirror instead of the centre screen, and doesn't bring the same clarity, while the instrument cluster isn't as easy to read at a glance or navigate.

Toyota

The HiLux sports a more contemporary theme, with a modern centre touch screen that is clearer and easier to use than the Mazda's.

Space is line ball with the BT-50; ample front proportions and enough leg, head and shoulder room to house two full-size adults in the rear. There are also multiple child anchor points in place behind the seat like its rival. The rear seat reclines far enough to offer moderate comfort on longer journeys, ditto with the BT-50.

The Hilux gets comfier cloth front seats and it's steering wheel features reach and tilt adjustment, amounting to a more comfortable driving position. Its switchgear and cabin presentation is also a notch above the Mazda, and it features a nifty cooled compartment housed within the centre console.

One criticism with the Toyota: the dashboard centre fascia reflects onto the windscreen and into the driver's rear-view mirror at night, which can be an annoyance.

Winner: Toyota

Under the bonnet

Mazda

The BT-50 carries over a tried and tested five-cylinder engine that beats the Toyota on power and torque outputs. Mated with an easy-to-use, long-throw six-speed manual transmission on our test car, the Mazda offers a rich torque curve that materialises from 1750rpm. The engine is smooth off the line, and can be easily driven around turbo lag. The BT-50 features low-range and high range 4WD, along with a rear diff lock and hill descent control feature.

Toyota

The HiLux's smaller displacement four-cylinder works harder to get the job done. As such, the engine feels noticeably noisier and more diesel-like than the Mazda, with a propensity to flare at revs. That said, there is ample torque on offer, both in daily conveyance and under load, and the matching automatic in our test car did a good job of swapping ratios.

The SR5 is more efficient on the fuel front, edging out the Mazda's real-life reading.

And like the BT-50, the Hilux boasts low-range and high range 4WD, along with a rear diff lock and hill descent control feature.

Winner: Mazda

How it drives

Mazda

The BT-50 has been one of the front runners in its segment for ride and handling, but a lack of underbody change in the latest facelift means the competition has caught up. The big dual cab still feels well acquitted on the road, with predictable steering and body control traits. The big concession is ride comfort; it feels busy and unrelenting over small amplitude imperfections in comparison to the more polished Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok. Carry-over hydraulic steering lacks the lighter weighting and precision of Ford's new electrically-assisted unit, too.

Toyota

The latest HiLux is a massive improvement on its predecessor in the driving stakes. The driving experience is much more refined, with better insulation from the outside elements and a ride and handling which feel par for the course in this segment. The steering is a tad less agricultural than the BT-50's, a factor which helps amount to a kinder everyday driving proposition.

The HiLux's 18-inch wheels transfer bumps in the road more readily than the Mazda's, but under load it settles quickly.

Winner: Toyota

Ownership/Practicality

Mazda

The BT-50 is backed by a three-year, 100,000km warranty. Servicing intervals are rated at every 12 months or 10,000km, with the first three years averaging out at about $1350.

The BT-50 features a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and a 1084kg payload, including passengers. The BT-50's tray measures 1549mm long, 1560mm wide and 513mm deep. Space between the wheel arches is 1139mm, which means its too small for a regular 1165mm pallet.

According to Glasses Guide the BT-50's forecasted residual value after three years is 53 per cent.

Toyota

The Hilux is also backed by a three-year, 100,000km warranty, however its service intervals are spaced more frequently, at every six months or 10,000km.

Toyota's capped price servicing program will set you back $1080 over three years, hundreds of dollars less than the Mazda.

The HiLux's standard tub tray measures larger in length (1569mm) and width (1645mm) than its rival, but is smaller in height (481mm) and between the wheel arches (1109mm) A 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity is advertised, along with a smaller 925kg payload including passengers. On this front, both vehicles measured well with a 500kg on load, though we'll reserve judgement on proper load carrying for another time.

According to Glasses Guide the HiLux's forecasted residual value after three years is 57 per cent.

Winner: Toyota

Verdict

Mazda

The Mazda's engine stands out among this duo, however it is beginning to feel its age inside the cabin and in the lack of underbody changes.

Toyota

Make no mistake, the HiLux isn't perfect. But it's close enough in this shootout, despite a slightly coarse (by comparison) diesel engine and costly purchase price. Strong ownership credentials and proven reliability mean it would be the truck you'd recommend to family and relatives. Just.

Winner: Toyota