Toyota Hilux 2.4E vs Mazda BT-50 3.0 High Plus: Just Over RM20,000 Apart; One Relies on Reputation, While the Other Packs Seven Airbags and 450 N·m into a Niche Pick-up

The BT-50 doesn't just have five airbags. With driver, front passenger, front side, front and rear curtain, and a driver's knee airbag, it gets seven in total. The Hilux 2.4E settles for three: driver, front passenger, and driver's knee, leaving side and curtain airbags absent from the spec sheet.

For a double-cab pick-up that frequently carries rear passengers, the side curtain airbags that protect heads and torsos in a side impact are conspicuously missing on this 2.4E variant. It is not merely a matter of high or low spec; Toyota has clearly tiered its safety kit here.

Let's talk pricing first. The Hilux 2.4E AT 4×4 is priced at RM119,880 on-the-road without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia. The BT-50 3.0 High Plus comes in at RM140,418—a price difference of RM20,538. In a pick-up budget, RM20,000 is enough for a solid set of cargo bed accessories, several years of road tax, or a family road trip with plenty of change to spare.

450 N·m vs 400 N·m

The BT-50 runs a 3.0-litre 4JJ3-TCX turbodiesel delivering 188 hp and 450 N·m, with the peak torque band spanning from 1,600 rpm to 2,600 rpm. The Hilux's 2GD-FTV pushes out 148 hp and 400 N·m across 1,600 rpm to 2,000 rpm—down by 40 hp and 50 N·m against the Mazda.

Cruising unladen, the Hilux's 400 N·m never feels wanting. Off the line in city traffic or overtaking on the highway, it pulls along without fuss. The gap only becomes evident when there is cargo in the bed, or when tackling sustained, steep uphill climbs.

The BT-50 deploys its full 450 N·m right from low revs, whereas the Hilux needs to rev higher to get the same job done. A 50 N·m deficit might not sound huge on paper, but under full payload on an incline or during towing, it translates to one less downshift and a noticeably less strained engine.

Both pick-ups run six-speed automatic transmissions. The Hilux's 6AT has been paired with the 2GD-FTV for years, proving tried, tested, and dependable. The BT-50's Aisin-sourced six-speed automatic is equally slick and well-matched to its 3.0-litre powerplant.

Seven Airbags vs Three

Back to the reality mentioned at the start: the BT-50 provides seven airbags, complete with front side and full-length curtain coverage, as well as a comprehensive i-Activsense ADAS suite as standard: Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

In the Hilux 2.4E (2024–2025 model year), you get only three airbags—no side airbags, no curtain airbags, and you have to step up to higher variants to get ADAS.

When ferrying passengers in the back of a double-cab, side-impact protection is designed to shield heads and torsos, not knees. The BT-50 covers this vulnerability; the Hilux 2.4E does not. Part of that RM20,000 price premium pays directly for this vital layer of safety.

Road Tax and Warranty

The BT-50's 3.0-litre displacement incurs a noticeable road tax penalty. Under Peninsular Malaysia private registration, the BT-50 costs RM1,638.40 annually, compared to just RM754.40 for the Hilux. That is a difference of RM884 a year, adding up to RM4,420 over five years—a fixed running cost that must be paid regardless of how the truck is driven.

The warranty situation is the reverse. The Hilux offers a 5-year/150,000 km warranty, whereas the BT-50 provides 5 years/100,000 km. For high-mileage drivers clocking over 20,000 km annually, the BT-50's warranty mileage will run out well before the five years are up.

That extra 50,000 km buffer on the Hilux is a tangible safety net for road warriors. Mazda prioritised its budget on airbags and ADAS, taking a step back in warranty coverage mileage.

Resale Value: Market Liquidity Tells All

The Hilux's turnover speed in the Malaysian used pick-up market needs no introduction. Put a used Hilux on the market, and you will consistently receive far more enquiries and close a deal in a much shorter timeframe than with a BT-50.

The BT-50's depreciation curve is actually respectable, but with a comparatively smaller buyer base in Malaysia, finding a second-hand buyer usually takes more patience. If you plan to upgrade within three to five years, the Hilux's liquidation speed is a decisive advantage; if you intend to keep driving it well past the warranty period, resale value naturally becomes less of a priority.

Cabin: Two Different Priorities

This generation of BT-50 leans heavily towards passenger car refinement. A 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, keyless entry, push-start ignition, and leather seats are all part of the standard spec.

The Hilux 2.4E stays true to its commercial roots: fabric seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a basic 2-DIN head unit, keeping dashboard tech strictly utilitarian.

If you use your pick-up as a daily family runabout more often than a work vehicle, the BT-50's cabin justifies its price tag every day. But if you bought a pick-up strictly for hard work, hauling heavy loads, and an interior that can be hosed down after getting dirty, the Hilux's no-frills cabin is built to take far more punishment.

What Does RM20,000 Buy You?

The Hilux 2.4E puts your budget into sheer peace of mind. Bulletproof reliability, fast resale liquidity, a lower entry price, and saving RM884 annually on road tax are benefits delivered every single day. The trade-offs are three airbags, no curtain airbags, no ADAS, and that slight deficit from 400 N·m compared to 450 N·m under heavy load.

The BT-50 3.0 High Plus channels its budget into displacement, occupant safety, and cabin comfort. Seven airbags, 450 N·m, a 9-inch screen, and a full ADAS suite are what it puts on the table. The trade-offs are a higher sticker price, RM884 more in annual road tax, 50,000 km less warranty coverage, and the need for more patience in the used car market.

Both pick-ups are compelling choices. One reserves its full safety suite for pricier variants, while the other offers a shorter warranty distance. The task is not to judge which is objectively better value, but to see which set of compromises best matches how you drive every day.

Toyota Hilux 2.4E AT 4×4 vs Mazda BT-50 3.0 High Plus: Detailed Spec Comparison

Notes: Prices are on-the-road without insurance for Peninsular Malaysia. Annual road tax: Hilux RM754.40, BT-50 RM1,638. Warranty: Hilux 5 years/150,000 km, BT-50 5 years/100,000 km.