Mazda BT-50 vs. Mitsubishi Triton - The better pickup?

The Malaysian car market is no stranger to the pickup trucks, as almost all of the world’s leading automakers have at least one model on offer - from Chevy and Ford from America to the likes of Toyota and Nissan from Japan. However, today we will look at two pickup trucks which may not always seem like everyone’s first choice -- the Mazda BT-50 and Mitsubishi Triton.

To begin with, the Mazda BT-50 is a newer vehicle when compared to the Triton, as it was only launched in 2006. However, the BT-50 borrowed much of its under-the-skin architecture from the American Ford Ranger, thereby giving it some of the Ranger’s legacy. On the other hand, the Mitsubishi Triton has been around since the late 1970s, and the Japanese auto giant has been able to sell millions of them since its inception all those years ago. Also, it was recently in January this year when Mitsubishi Malaysia launched the all-new Triton. So, let’s put these two mid-size and well-engineered pickup trucks against each other and see which one comes out on top.

Exterior styling

When it comes to the way these two pickup trucks look, they couldn’t be further from each other even if they tried. Where the Mazda BT-50 adopts softer surfaces and more rounded edges, the new Mitsubishi Triton sports a sharper and more modern design. The Triton features Mitsubishi’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ front fascia, incorporating contemporary LED headlamps with swanky LED DRLs, chunky twin-slat grille, beefy bumper with large chrome trim, deep-set fog lamps and a prominent skid plate. The sides of the Triton is characterised by its macho fender flares, squared-off wheel arches, bold-looking alloy wheels, sturdy running boards, and a unique ‘J-Line’ styling where the rear of the cab meets the bed. At the back, the most noticeable items are the LED tail lamps and a heavy-duty bumper with integrated steps.

Instantly, it’s apparent that the Mazda BT-50’s design is softer, less aggressive, and more conventional in its approach than that of the Triton. The ‘smiling’ front end gets a broad yet narrow grille with a shiny chrome strip that ends at the bonnet, bulging headlamps, contoured bumper with old-fashioned fog lamp housings, and a low-mounted bash plate. The side profile sports gentle contours, flared fenders, dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, and fixed side steps. The rear of the BT-50 looks interesting with its large, wrap-around tail lamps, protruding Mazda logo, and while a chrome-laden bumper with its well-integrated step finishes things off. Overall, the Mazda BT-50 looks fairly handsome, though the new Triton looks ever so slightly more upmarket.

Interior

On the inside as well, it isn’t a hard task to differentiate between the Mazda BT-50 and Mitsubishi Triton. Just like its exterior, the Mazda’s interior feature gently sloping surfaces to the Mitsubishi’s more upright layout. The BT-50’s cabin, dashboard, centre console, steering wheel, and instrument cluster also feel more car-like compared to the Triton’s. However, both the vehicles feature lofty riding positions, so the large grab handles come in quite handy as haul yourself inside the cabin. In terms of the overall cabin space and in-cabin practicality, both pickup trucks do their job adequately, though the Mazda does offer a little bit more legroom, shoulder room, and headroom. However, the new Triton does better as far as the quality of materials, fit-and-finish, and features are concerned. Mitsubishi’s interior also feels more modern and upmarket.

 

On the equipment front, the top-of-the-range Mitsubishi Triton gets automatic LED headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry with push-button ignition, six-speaker audio system, cruise control, automatic climate control with rear vents, leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles, powered driver’s seat, touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Bluetooth and voice command, and all-round parking sensors with a reversing camera. Meanwhile, the fully-loaded variant of the Mazda BT-50 specs sheet comes with automatic halogen headlamps, front & rear fog lamps, power-folding wing mirrors, keyless entry, auto-dimming rearview mirror, fabric seats, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and gear knob, four-speaker sound system, and all-around parking sensors with a reversing camera.

Engine and performance

As per Mazda BT-50 specs sheet, its most powerful variant gets a 3.2-litre turbocharged five-cylinder diesel motor which produces 200hp and 470Nm of torque. Meanwhile, a 6-speed automatic gearbox directs the engine’s grunt to all four corners via a selectable four-wheel-drive system. If push comes to shove, the BT-50 can hit 100 kmph in just over 12 seconds and a top speed of 175 kmph.

The Mitsubishi Triton specs sheet, however, tells that it is powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder oil-burner that puts out 178hp and 430Nm -- using a 6-speed automatic transmission and the marque’s Super Select 4WD II system to drive all fours. Pushed hard enough, the Triton can get past the tonne-mark in around 11 seconds, before topping off at approximately 170 kmph.

Safety features

Both the Mazda BT-50 and Mitsubishi Triton offer Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) & Braking Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and ISOFIX anchor points. And while Mazda offers six airbags in the BT-50, the Mitsubishi Triton comes with seven. The Triton can also be had with Brake Override System (BOS), Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Change Alert (LCA), Auto High Beam (AHB), Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS), and speed-sensing auto door locks.