2022 Mazda BT-50 vs Nissan Navara: High-tech truck match-up

Mazda Philippines has just brought in the third-generation 2022 Mazda BT-50. It is chock-full of on-board tech and amenities, and it features most of the characteristics that make other Mazda models look great. 

But, how does it fare against Nissan Philippines’ updated 2021 Navara, a model that was released earlier back in March of this year?  To find out, let’s match the top-spec Mazda BT-30 3.0 4x4 AT with the Navara PRO-4X 2.5 4x4 AT, to find out which is better on paper. 

Let's find out which of these two have the better specs 

To kick off this comparison, let’s go over their dimensions. For the new top-spec Mazda BT-50 4x4 AT, it has a length of 5,280mm, a width of 1,870mm, and a height of 1,810mm. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,830mm, and a ground clearance of 235mm. 

The all-new 2022 Mazda BT-50

Meanwhile, the top-spec Nissan Navara PRO-4X 4x4 AT comes with a length of 5,260mm, a width of 1,875mm, and a height of 1,855mm. It then has a ground clearance of 220mm. 

In general, the new BT-50 is longer than the Navara, and it also has more in the way of ground clearance. However, the Nissan model is wider and taller.  

The Nissan Navara PRO-4X 2.5 4x4 AT

Moving on to exterior equipment, both come standard with LED headlamps that feature an automatic on/off function. Both also have LED daytime running lamps, front fog lamps, LED taillights, power folding and power adjust side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and roof rails. 

The BT-50 from the rear

The exterior feature that is available on the top-spec Navara PRO-4X but not present on the BT-50 is the on-rails cargo tie-down system. Then again, only the Navara PRO-4X has this feature in the Philippine pick-up truck market segment. 

As for wheels though, the BT-50 4x4 AT uses a larger set of 18-inch alloys. Comparatively, the Navara PRO-4X uses a 17-inch alloy wheel set. 

The Navara PRO-4X from the rear

As modern pickup trucks, both the BT-50 and the Navara can comfortably seat up to five occupants. They come with well-appointed interiors with a wealth of soft-touch surfaces. As top-spec trims, both also come with leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheels, as well as dual-zone automatic air-conditioning systems. 

However, the steering wheel on the BT-50 features tilt and telescopic adjustment, whereas the Navara PRO-4X comes with a tilt-only steering column. On top of that, the Mazda model also has an electronically adjustable driver’s seat, while the one on the Navara PRO-4X is manually adjustable. 

Inside the Mazda BT-50

For on-board entertainment, the BT-50 4x4 AT gets a nine-inch touchscreen head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. It is then connected to an eight-piece speaker system. 

In turn, the Navara PRO-4X is kitted out with an eight-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. The said screen is connected to six speakers. 

Inside the Navara PRO-4X

Apart from being larger than the one Nissan uses, the BT-50’s infotainment display also has a better set of connectivity options due to wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility, and it also has more speakers. 

Last but not the least, the Mazda BT-50 4x4 AT gets adaptive cruise control, while the Navara PRO-4X gets standard cruise control. 

Under the hood of the BT-50 4x4 AT is a 3.0-liter inline-4 turbodiesel engine capable of making up to 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. This top-spec variant then uses a six-speed automatic gearbox with sequential shift. It also has a 4x4 drivetrain and a locking rear differential. 

The BT-50's 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX inline-4 turbodiesel engine

The Navara PRO-4X, on the other hand, uses a 2.5-liter inline-4 turbodiesel that can churn out 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. It then uses a seven-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode. Like the top-spec BT-50, the Navara PRO-4X also comes with a 4x4 drivetrain, as well as a locking rear differential.  

In summary, both trucks can make the same amount of horsepower and torque. The Navara PRO-4X however does have one more gear than the BT-50, and that might mean longer legs on the highway.  

Where suspension systems are concerned, the Navara range in general stands out among locally available pickup truck models for using a multi-link rear suspension, matched with a double wishbone front suspension. The top-spec Navara PRO-4X is no different in this regard. 

The Navara's 2.5-liter 2.5-liter YD25DDTi inline-4 turbodiesel engine

As for the BT-50, it utilizes a more conventional front double wishbone and rear leaf spring suspension setup.  

Both trucks then get front disc brakes, rear drum brakes, and a manual hand-operated parking brake. 

Both the Mazda BT-50 and the Nissan Navara are both equipped with what you’d expect from a modern vehicle. Each has stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, ISOFIX child seat tethers, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill descent control, as well as a car alarm and engine immobilizer. 

The Mazda BT-50 driving downhill

In terms of airbags though, the top-spec Mazda truck comes with seven, whereas the top-spec Navara has six. Furthermore, the Mazda gets remote engine starting and smart keyless entry. In turn, the Nissan also has smart keyless entry, but lacks remote engine starting. 

Both of these top-spec trucks each come with their respective brand’s driver assist safety suites. For the BT-50, it’s the i-Activsense from Mazda. The Navara PRO-4x, in turn, comes standard with the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite. 

The screen on the Navara's instrument cluster also monitors the status of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility system

This means that both trucks are kitted out with lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, rear-cross traffic alert, and forward collision warning. The Nissan Navara PRO-4X however also gets a 360-degree view camera which isn’t available on the Mazda. 

To conclude, both the new Mazda BT-50 and the Nissan Navara PRO-4X are competent trucks in terms of comfort and features. Both can also do well on occasional trips into the boonies.  

The BT-50 4x4 AT may look sleek, but it can definitely do well on rough terrain

That said though, the Nissan model is slightly more affordable than the BT-50. Then again, the Mazda has some bits that you’d want for long driving stints, like its adaptive cruise control for instance. On top of that, it also has a head unit that offers better connectivity options. 

In turn, the Navara PRO-4X seems to be geared more towards utility. We say this due to its on-rails cargo tie-down system, exclusive so far to Nissan in this segment.  

The Navara PRO-4X is ready to go wherever you want it to

As for looks, we’ll leave that up to you. Also, if you’re still on the fence between these two trucks, then we urge you to take each model out on a test drive. 

For more comparison articles like this, keep it here on the Philippine’s largest automotive portal.