Mazda BT-50 vs Ford Ranger 2021 comparison review | Chasing Cars

[@arthur.887]

As a mechanic in Africa, I can say with confidence that after that ford received its third engine and second gearbox, the bt50/d-max will still be running strong with ZERO issues.

[@diffuzn]

Except for the bump steer

[@xj358]

If you're buying a new Wildtrak check that it isn't one of the many to leave the production line with a substandard fit of the sports bar which allows water to enter the rear tub underneath the side profile of the sports bar. Carefully run your eye along the joint line where the side profile of the Wildtrak sports bar is jointed to the rear tub. If it starts to open up at the rear tip just above the rear lights then this is a defect caused by nothing less than lazy slapdash workmanship at the factory which requires quite a bit of work to rectify. For every Wildtrak that doesn't have this defect, there is another one with the fault on at least one side of the vehicle, if not on both sides. On severe cases you can see clear daylight between the two surfaces which should actually be a water tight seal.

[@jba2048]

I’ve been a Mazda driver almost all my life but I needed a truck and you can’t get a Mazda truck in the states so I bought a 2021 Ranger. The truck FEELS like a Mazda which is hard to explain but anyone who has been driving Mazda’s for over twenty years should immediately understand. I like this truck a lot.

[@rossawood5075]

Several points regarding the utes, the 2 liter Ford engine isn't long out and has yet to prove its longetivity, at 2 liters i believe it is more highly stressed, compared with the 3 liter Isuzu engine in the new Mazda, although a modified version of the earlier version it is based on a huge production run of the 3 liter NPR truck engines sold in huge numbers around the planet,.there has been huge development of this engne and it is well known for longetivity, economy and torque although a bit noisy. The fuel consumption of the Isuzu 3 liter has always been excellent by comparison with any of the utes over the past probably 15 years. The Aisan brand 6 speed auto is used in the Prado, the Toyota 200 L/C , the Landcruiser 100 series 100 as a 5 speed and as a 5 speed in the the very reliable old school Pajero. and as a brand are IMO at the top of the line. The Ranger in 3.2 in 5 cylinder form has had its issues with the Ford modified ZF auto, leaving many owners in 'limp mode' due to heating sensor/or heating issues due to a small transmission mounted cooler, its a well known issue for caravan tower's. Even the dated but reliable Pajero Aisan 5 speed is bullet proof with an external font mounted cooler. The 10 speed in the Ranger is overkill and is constantly hunting, if it fails out of warranty $$$$$$$$ plus, the 2 liter needs more ratios to keep it in a narrower real torque band. Manufacturers figures given for power and torque are rather rubbery, and as we know a peak torque rating isn't as importnt as a wide torque band at a lesser rating ! Isuzu is very conservative in its rating, it has a wide torque band, and the 3 liter engine can be remapped easily to give a sh*tload more power if wanted. Its a very understressed engine as any diesel tuner will tell you. I'd like to see both vehicles with a heavy trailer load, I suspect we would see the Ford transmission hunt up and down to maintain torque compared to the Mazda's 6 speed behind the wide torque band of the Isuzu engine. The dual adjustable steering wheel in the Mazda is great, thumbs up ! The Ford interior is very good, so is the Mazda, the rear air vents as you say in Oz ishould be mandatoy ! Why does Ford not have them ? One glaring ommission in the Mazda that the Isuzu D'Max has is dash mounted cup holders - Mazda- fit them, 1st upgrade ! No ute i've ever owned is driven empty, so why comment on the ride empty. The vast majority of utes will have some tools and other 'stuff in the tray or wellside, stick a couple of 20 kg bags of sand in the rear then drive them ! Fords electric slide top is an accident/problem waiting to happen, slide meets protruding obstacle in uteback, you drop something on the cover, oooops! All styleside utes should come with a good plastic tray liner stop! ....why Mazda hasn't fitted one in their top model is crazy ! Mazda are doing some good price deals , better than Isuzu, better than Ford , and at present there is a wait for a new top line Isuzu, in my area Mazda BT-50's are available . I am a Ranger owner with the 3.2 5 cylinder engine with a manual for reliability although I like auto's but not the Ford modified ZF. My choice in 2021 would be the mid range Mazda auto, or the Isuzu, ! In my rural area many are thinking similarly. just my take !

[@bradleyaustin2369]

I liked reading what you wrote and I agree 👍

[@mediocrates5233]

Very nice job with the review Mr. Baker, concise and objective without a lot of bias. I do enjoy my Ranger here in The States.

[@michaeljones2880]

Big factor you are forgetting is reliability. Mazda wins in this department hands down.

[@Twilight-cl3zc]

Let's appreciate too that it's the Isuzu D-Max underpinnings & 3.0ltr engine inside the Mazda, which is probably the most reliable and tough engine of ANY ute.

[@nathancooper1]

Amazing how all these utes have gone from $50k to $65k plus within 3 years with basically no reason why. They aren’t much better. And everyone is falling for it.

[@icmull]

Yeah Ive never needed a 4wd ute until now. Ive just driven a sedan. I was surprised the prices were so high. Shows how much tradies earn here.

[@pedrogorosviba1271]

fiat currency

[@nigelclats6970]

I have just ordered a BT50 Limited,here in S.Island NZ as an agri contracting support ute. It's full spec,with leather etc. I will tell you what it's like in 6 mths. I will ditch the wellside and flat deck it. I will run a set of Maxxis All Terrains I think,as I will be running on gravel roads a lot. The high country stations here have washouts,river crossings and potholed access roads.

[@moonboy5851]

Any reason why you would go for the BT-50 over the Dmax X-Terrain?

[@juanortellado5563]

So.. how is It going with the BT50?

[@iainhughes6637]

Don’t think twice, get a twin turbo and as high BHP ford ranger wildtrack you can get and I promise you will never ever look back! I cannot get enough of mine, they are the dogs bollocks!!

[@chandamusonda6883]

Excellent review. I'm yet to see what the Bi-turbo can do. I've had the 3.2L for sometime now. No problems However I have m reservations about the Amarok, it's not so much of an off-road vehicle, and it struggles here on Africa roads. It's more of a tarmac vehicle. It has the power yes but I wouldn't recommend you go with it off-road

[@mikeykeyes]

Ford is starting to look too expensive for its value- missing most of the tech assist and even basics such as a vent yet charging more than others. Talking about sensitive AEB etc, my Triton seems to be completely the opposite and I will never trust it - on two occasions I had cars slam brakes in front of me and no warning and yet at a round about the FCW came on when it detected a cyclist on side of the road! The only thing that works really quickly is the lane keeping assist alert.

[@bobharris6157]

Ford must be getting worried with all these new vehicles and models coming out. The only vehicle making money for them if the Ranger. LDV are making some ground because of price. All they need now is for Hyundai/Kia to bring out a dual cab and they will go the same way as Holden.

[@NathsHim]

They have like 6 models coming out next year and the ranger looks nothing like the current one

[@rossawood5075]

The real sleeper price and quality wise is the Sassong Musso, South Korean, very quiet, economical and nice interior for half the price!

[@guidonelliot5926]

Talk about what matters mate. Will either of them honour their warranty obligations under ACL? Coz neither has in the past

[@iMitsubishiZA]

So which one will last the test of time? If I am looking to buy my last ute before I retire which one will give me the the most hassle free drive for the next 10 years or so?

[@berdugosocials9854]

This review is a stark contrast to the other Aussie KZbin channels who’s heaps and praise to the DMax compared to the Ranger. I wasn’t buying any of it. Thanks mate!

[@Twilight-cl3zc]

Isuzu owners will be in restaurants enjoying life, whilst you're in garage reception waiting room, collecting your Ford after another repair. You can't compare Japanese engineering to a "common-or-garden" Ford 🤣😂

[@berdugosocials9854]

@@Twilight-cl3zc fish & chips take away. Ford reception room is cosy man.

[@richieduck67]

Which one would you buy Tom?

[@chasingcars]

Still the Ranger for me because I value car-like driving dynamics -- but if you want the bigger tub, wireless CarPlay, more safety tech and a super-durable engine - the BT-50 makes a lot of sense!

[@lizzieandlou5164]

I think the hint is in Tom's choice of shoes... also matches his beard. Thanks for the video Tom, I found it very helpful.

[@helloreviews]

In south america we don’t get the ranger with all that equipment, we have the 5 cyl 3.2 with the 6speed auto, in that case, would you still go with the ranger?

[@TG-lp9vi]

BTW in North America Ford has Disc brakes in the rear on the Ranger. The top of the line Ranger in North America is called Lariat.

[@willdewar8132]

All the stuff I wanted to know Tom with honesty around how they really performed. Thank you.

[@chasingcars]

No worries, Will!

[@bradleyaustin2369]

At the end of the day, power isn't going to save you if you're broken down in side of the road due to unreliability. I much prefer the understressed , less power but still adequate Mazda engine over the ticking time bomb 2 litre stressed Ford engine anyday.

[@RD11RT]

Extremely good review mate, cheers 👍 I still find it interesting the ranger seems to ride better then the rear coil spring Navara?

[@chasingcars]

Agreed. It is fascinating, but Ford's Australian engineers did a great job with the Ranger's ride.

[@camh7788]

Tom, Would you choose the ranger over the 580 amarok? As a 4wd ute, is rural Australia going to take either of them to full time “thrash-n-bash” farm life?

[@briandewhurst4827]

Mazda didn't stand a chance. This guy all for the Ranger right from the start

[@chasingcars]

No, this was an entirely objective twin test.

[@vailingshadow5030]

@@NZmellowyellow don't talk about your boyfriend like that. It seems you are the fanboy, as you can't handle a review that didn't align with your preference.

[@guidonelliot5926]

Dmax a good truck. Ranger good performer but pissweak. EGR fails, dpf fails, gearbox fails. Nothing new here, my 08 bt blew EGR and cracked head and wrote off the engine at 127000 km, 4.5yo . That's when me n modern pissweak diesels formed a fuck you relationship.

[@iMitsubishiZA]

It seems that Mazda/Isuzu have only tried to develop a product which competes with the current Hilux and Ranger and were not confident enough to create a pick-up which could have been the new benchmark. A too conservative approach which will hurt them even more when the new Ranger is launched next year...

[@Twilight-cl3zc]

Not if you shop with a discernment for reliability.

[@landau46t]

Good vid. Didn’t realise a roller shutter was a torno cover.

[@chasingcars]

Can be hard to get everything right in a long one take. Kind of serves the same purpose, doesn’t it.

[@douglasyong6939]

The acid test would be the 4WD community having a go at the BT50...

[@boss290t]

Went from Thai tuk tuk A to Thai tuk tuk B, there’s no difference. Made with slave labor , they should all be priced like a Great Wall but obviously a healthy balance sheet is more important and why should they pass the savings on to the consumer anyway

[@gtr161]

That roller shutter looks like it's designed to fail - surely it should be an option? I would think that most new owners would ditch the shutter for a canopy, based on the increase in storage room alone. Commercial ute owners aren't really interested in fancy pants options whren the KISS method would suffice.

[@robertiravonga559]

The ranger has its tech & power but I find the D-max more reliable in the long run

[@jasonwishart8153]

Old bt better than the new bt. 😳😬

[@robfajardo4190]

2022 comparison for these 2 please

[@jamesheggie1854]

Another terrific video Tom, keep up the great work 🙌👌

[@chasingcars]

Thanks!

[@paulg.9498]

Love how the quote Australian Roads is thrown around like we are unique - hah! Drive around Asia and Europe (outside of the big cities), conditions can be rubbish and these utes cope fine.😀

[@chasingcars]

Simply “coping” isn’t our standard of decent ride and handling

[@wolfgangrudolfhelmstedt4098]

Next year when the all new Ford Ranger and VW Amarok will come in the market everything are going to change

[@jaimusicxx]

Yep Fully agree with your assessment of these Utes Tom- thanks for a great video

[@chasingcars]

Cheers Jai.

[@Chris-74]

That GT Brown POO interior..... Just Why?

[@kentaylor2950]

The perfect dual cab does not exist yet. No rear air vents, invasive safety, not enough safety, not enough dust protection in the tray, no 6 pot option except VW, no tub liners... etc etc etc... I've been keen on the Dmax but its missing a few things you only get in the ranger! Maybe I should just get the Triton

[@blossomutonium8985]

LIKE THE NEW FORD RANGER!

[@coreyziolkowski3481]

does the 2021 wildtrack come with blind spot assist?

[@peacefulsoul77]

yes it does

[@coreyziolkowski3481]

@@peacefulsoul77 i own the 2021 wildtrak and it definitely doesnt have blind spot assist

[@peacefulsoul77]

@@coreyziolkowski3481 I just bought a XLT Ranger 2021 and it has it... why wouldnt the wildtrack have it?... is it a option?

[@coreyziolkowski3481]

@@peacefulsoul77 oh wow. hmm strange one. ill try look into it

[@peacefulsoul77]

@@coreyziolkowski3481 kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3a3YmmfidWig6c then go to 8:46

[@garyquinlan4075]

One is manufactured by a company that is up there with GM and Stellantis for diabolical after sales customer relationships and has high specced models targeting those with small weenies. The other is a BT50

[@megasta66]

Known issues with the fords injectors giving out early are unsettling. Something that doesn't show up in quick reviews.

[@lewisjeffreys9175]

For me the alarms and beeps would be a deal breaker unless they can be turned off once and for all.

[@chasingcars]

Agreed. They'd frustrate me too. Not sure if they can be switched off permanently, though. Maybe with coding?

[@lewisjeffreys9175]

I think they can be disabled but it would need to be done every time the car is started. Rather have the ranger if thats the case.

[@PK-ek1gd]

I took one for a test drive - all the alarms are customisable

[@ben7020]

Lane assist in my VW is now permanently off. Too many false corrections then the last straw was a false correction into an oncoming bus. If the mazda annoys you already then as you said - owners will get sick of false alarms and resent driving it. Beep beep beep everything these days....

[@7homas0wen]

I just think the ford looks outdated. The Mazda looks new and honestly quite nice.

[@eternallearner8185]

The Ranger engine putting out all that power and pulling all that weight and it's only 2 litres with 2 turbochargers pumping it up, cant see that holding together for too long.

[@mwl079]

Agree

[@tacuazinful]

0 - 100 acceleration????

[@craigswanson4837]

The Ranger

[@JohnSmith-nz4bn]

For drivers, those systems are extremely annoying. For motorists, they're a necessary evil based on how they drive. i.e. passively, not actively.

[@Sabumnim666]

Pretty certain my eyes are not deceiving me in the Ford there are 2 usb ports

[@StormchaserZA]

Guys? I hear that the Ranger has massive gearbox issues?

[@rossawood5075]

Absolutely, the 3.2 engines ZF 6 speed is undercooled and many caravan owners find themselves in limp mode. The Mazda and Isuzu have the Aisan japanese auto's that are excellent and fitted to Pajero, Prado, and Landcruiser 100 and 200, as 5 or 6 speed units.

[@vailingshadow5030]

Is that your opinion or actually proof?

[@Sophall1]

in my country the bt50 is like 7500$ less expensive than ford….

[@arikcagan7123]

I do not get why the Ranger in Australia is 1,800,000 baht and in Thailand 🇹🇭 it’s 1,200,000 baht. And the tax in Thailand 🇹🇭 they say is up to300%. What happened to free trade..? Or tradies in Australia 🇦🇺 are the new millionaires…a Ute and a BMW or Mercedes’ are the same price… almost. Something is not right

[@i.g.2416]

Speaking of rear brakes I think ranger Raptor got that covered

[@chasingcars]

Just a different price point entirely though isn’t it.

[@i.g.2416]

@@chasingcars for the amarok it is

[@wolfgangrudolfhelmstedt4098]

For Power and towing and comfort the V6 VW Amarok but for looks and non ageing like other double Cabs the Ford Ranger 3.2L TD or 2.0L Bi-turbo just a wonder how the 3.4 would have cope with the 10 speed auto that would have been a win win combination we all have to wait for the all new VW Amarok and all new Ford Ranger and with the new V6 diesel they are going to use the opposition will be worrying big time

[@mikeykeyes]

I am noticing that Chasing Car reviews coincide with Carsguide reviews exactly the same vehicles! Check out how they too stacked up these two plus the D Max - I wonder if this is a coincidence or ...

[@chasingcars]

Coincident in that we both cover new vehicles and we both respect agreed embargoes.

[@siquanwu3131]

If the price difference is only $2k, I will take ranger any day, but I may wait until new gen come out, lol

[@chasingcars]

Fair point. I reckon Mazda will kick off some promotional / drive away offers for the BT-50 soon, though, which will increase the price gap. The Ranger already has promo pricing.

[@31113AssKicker31113]

You also need to account for the subpar tech in the ranger and when they release the next gen will the price have increased to catch up

[@v.w.a2591]

@@31113AssKicker31113 For example?

[@vailingshadow5030]

@@31113AssKicker31113 what is the sub par tech that you speak of?

[@norro1234]

I have been deadset on a new Dmax for 6 months... stop convincing me to get a Ranger! How long til Ford does a "10 year update"/ Overhaul?

[@woahh1967]

2022.

[@carlmenzel8744]

Go dmax cos it's not all about bells and whistles it's how they hold up and stay out of the mechanics shop that matters mostly

[@norro1234]

@@carlmenzel8744 cant get a bloody Dmax until July now. Well Xterrain model anyway. Took a BT50 for a test drive and the dealer tried to charge me 65K for a new one with nothing on it! haha, walked out.

[@carlmenzel8744]

@@norro1234 waiting once to receive it is better then waiting on the side of the road cos it's blown up I personally don't like the new generation of diesels but I can't say I've heard of a dmax with engine troubles can't say I've heard the same about the rangers or previous bt50s

[@M.-.D]

Spoke to a Ford dealer today. New generation release will be out end 2021 October landing expected. Was a very experienced dealer and was happy to be real and tell me to wait when I said the Dmax safety features are what is important to me. He reckons new shape, new interior, transition to a new engine option highly likely plus a new price range (increased). Several limited editions are plan for this year running into the launch of the new version.

[@dillonramdeen5340]

How much is ford paying you

[@chasingcars]

How sad that you’d think that.

[@jx218]

I like ranger better.

[@jetajeta7464]

So our reviewer is putting comfort over safety.

[@chasingcars]

Not especially clear cut, is it? As I said, if certain systems are poorly tuned or overly invasive and you turn them off, they’re not good enough.

[@vailingshadow5030]

You must be special. Clearly in this instance you would choose comfort over safety. As I would rather be more comfortable than have blind spot assist or an extra airbag.

[@Mike_221]

70k Jesus

[@ozmazda]

I think the XLT Ranger would have been a better match against the GT

[@chasingcars]

Why? GT and Wildtrak both flagship, non-specialised grades. XLT is an upper mid-spec car.

[@chasingcars]

Why? GT and Wildtrak both flagship, non-specialised grades. XLT is an upper mid-spec car.

[@ozmazda]

@@chasingcars The Wildtrak is a special sports model like the X-Terrain, X series Hilux and the Black Series Navara. It you look at the models Ranger XL, XLS, XLT - BT50 XT, XTR, GT the Boss was Mazda's extra equivalent in the previous model to match the sports range. It surprises me how media are suppose to know their models and trade. I don't think it comes close here....

[@geoffreyrose1620]

The seats in the XLT are a down grade against the Wildtrak .

[@akilmarshall88]

Sounds a little biased to the ford because of the 6 reviewers I've watched thus far, all said that the twins, (new bt50 and dmax) are the best ute's overall so far in 2021

[@chasingcars]

Somebody having a different, justified, view to the crowd is not “bias”

[@akilmarshall88]

@@chasingcars Ok bredrin. That was my view so the same could be said

[@vailingshadow5030]

Depends which review you pay more. The dmax is poorly build. The engine may be good.

[@Koreyisadumbfuck]

poorly build but runs more than 10 years unlike ford utes, 5years and its already junk. not only that, the repairs are quite expensive. raptor owners discourage me to buy raptor because of the frequent check engine issues, and transmission failures. also almost all ranger's have this common issues with unwanted noise in the suspension.

[@Koreyisadumbfuck]

have you even done your research? dmax is "all new", more efficient, strengthened chassis, and was developed in shinkansen bullet train facility. no wonder it dethroned hilux being most purchased in thailand.

[@samueljesse5020]

The Ranger is a fuel guzzler. 5 cylinder engines are bad news they never balance properly either.

[@Swarthysteak747]

2ltr is a 4 cylinder twin turbo 3.2 is a 5 cylinder single turbo

[@samueljesse5020]

@@Swarthysteak747 One of my mates had Ford Ranger, they are fuel guzzler, much better Mitsubishi Triton, 5 cylinder engines are hard to balance, if it was a German made car it would be ok but made in Thailand no way! And I won't touch Volkswagen Amarok either, made in Argentina and many have been reported to catch on fire, which for a diesel is rare, the DPF are problems on Ford's they reckon they sit lower than the other 4WDs and start bushfires

[@krisdockers9084]

@@samueljesse5020 youre a cheery dude!- my 3.2L seems balanced and smooth- also 9-10L per 100ks really not that bad for a car of this stature- with bull bar, racks, canopy and ATs-, 150th Ks in and really cant say bad engine, been around a long time yknow- way before Ranger/ bt50- not sure about smaller modern deisals in large vehicles- turbo to pump more high stess in ( even twin turbos)-we will know in 4-7 years- but for now i stickn with old school

[@sneakyfoz3692]

You know your life’s a success when you can afford a $70k Techno chariot.

[@taloncandian5591]

Foresters are better

[@ozmazda]

learn to drive with your eyes, mirrors and stop relying on the tech...oh by the way has the Ford got surround sounds and a centre airbag.

[@chasingcars]

The Ranger does not have a centre airbag (between the front seats). This is a new requirement for 2020 crash ratings, hence why the new BT-50 was engineered to meet that.

[@adriaanvanzyl]

Ford better option and has a lovely gearbox

[@morebodidonaldmotaung5722]

You love ford too much

[@daxdyn12]

Ford Sucks! No rear airvent? :D