The Mazda BT-50 is Now Cheaper than the Ford Ranger and Comes with Free Service for 3 Years

Always wanted a Ford Ranger, but was afraid of the maintenance cost? Well, consider its mechanical twin, the Mazda BT-50 then. For the next 9 days, the Ranger’s twin-from-another-mother comes with a hefty P 180,000 discount.

Until February 29, 2020, the BT-50 4x2 A/T is priced at just P 1,215,000 (from its SRP of P 1,395,000) for cash buyers. This makes it even cheaper than the barer Ford Ranger 4x2 XLT A/T. Financing is also available, but subject to the terms and conditions of partner bank, BPI.

The 2020 BT-50 is basically a Ranger dressed in Mazda garb. It rides on the very same platform and, for the 4x2 A/T, uses a 2.2-liter CRDi 4-cylinder diesel engine with 150 horsepower and 375 Nm of torque. The A/T variant uses a 6-speed automatic with cruise control.

Standard features on the BT-50 4x2 A/T include automatic halogen headlights, rain-sensing wipers, power folding mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, dual climate control, automatic dimming rear view mirror, and a 2-DIN JVC head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built-in.

Really setting the BT-50 apart from the Ranger though is Mazda’s Yojin-3 which covers all Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) cost (parts and labor) for the first 3 years or 60,000 kilometers with 24/7 roadside assistance. It also has a 3-year / 100,000-kilometer bumper-to-bumper warranty.

This is Your First Look at the 2020 Isuzu D-Max

Here is the 2020 Isuzu D-Max fully unveiled (10/11).

Isuzu has given the world the first glimpse of the all-new, next-generation D-Max pickup truck which will be shown in full in two weeks’ time. Details are scarce at the moment, but what is known is that this model marks a departure from Isuzu’s collaboration with General Motors. Instead, this model will benefit with input from fellow Japanese carmaker, Mazda.

Teaser photos released by Isuzu Thailand reveal that the all-new D-Max will have LED headlights and U-shaped LED daytime running lights. It will also have larger, more prominent grille, and square, stacked LED taillights. Inside, it looks to benefit from modern, more premium materials such as white-colored interior lighting and toggle-like switches for the climate control. It’s also expected that the D-Max will have all digital instrumentation and an updated infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Not much is known about the D-Max’s new powertrain, but reports suggest that it may get an upgraded version of the existing 3.0-liter 4-cylinder engine or even a twin-turbo version of the 1.9-liter RZ4E. Regardless, expect no less than 175 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. Of course, the transmission will remain a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.

Furthermore, it looks like off-roading capability will remain a priority for Isuzu. Based on the photo, there’s a glimpse of a rear differential lock button, something the current model does not offer (the current D-Max doesn’t even have a limited slip differential). There have also been suggestions that it’ll get the option of a coil spring rear suspension along with the traditional leaf spring set-up.

The collaboration with Mazda also drove Isuzu to introduce better safety equipment in the 2020 D-Max and this could mean features such as forward collision warning with automatic braking.

The D-Max will arrive first and the Mazda version of the pickup truck, the all-new BT-50 will debut 12 months after. And although Isuzu is building the new pickup truck for both brands, it’s understood that the Mazda version will sport a unique appearance.