2025 Mazda BT-50 Pangolin vs. 2025 Isuzu D-MAX LS-E | Same same, but different
The refreshed Mazda BT-50 has just been launched in the Philippines for the 2025 model year. It comes almost a full year after its basis, the Isuzu D-MAX, received its own big refresh last year.
These two trucks are quite similar and share a lot in common. Not many buyers know that, while some see it as a downside to the Mazda. However, we think that there is more to just that so we’ve compiled the different specifications of both pickup trucks for a little comparison to see which one would reign supreme.
Also, we decided to compare only the top-spec BT-50 3.0 4×4 A/T Pangolin and D-MAX 3.0 LS-E 4×4 A/T as the former only has two variants compared to the latter’s 11.
Dimensions
Let’s start with their size. Obviously, these two will share similar (if not the same) dimensions as they are basically the same underneath. Both share the same wheelbase length and height, while have very small differences in terms of length and width due to some design differences.
| Mazda BT-50 Pangolin 4×4 | Isuzu D-MAX LS-E 4×4 | |
| Wheelbase | 3,125mm | 3,125mm |
| Length | 5,280mm | 5,277mm |
| Width | 1,870mm | 1,880mm |
| Height | 1,810mm | 1,810mm |
| Ground Clearance | 240mm | 240mm |
| Water Wading Capacity | 800mm | 800mm |
| Wheels | 18-inch two-tone alloy | 18-inch matte dark gray alloy |
| Tires | 265/60 R18 All-Terrain | 265/60 R18 All-Terrain |
Exterior and Interior
Despite sharing the same underpinnings and overall shape, the two pickup trucks are very well set apart from each other in terms of design.
The Isuzu D-MAX is known for its rugged and aggressive design cues with the large headlights and double-fanged grille, large overfenders, and triple wing taillights. Meanwhile, the Mazda BT-50 follows the brand’s signature Kodo design language seen on their crossovers and sedans, giving it a sleeker appearance.
Inside, the two share the same seat designs but have slightly different designs for the dashboard and door panels. Some stuff such as the climate controls and other switchgear are unsurprisingly shared with each other as well.
Standard exterior and interior stuff are as follows:
| EXTERIOR | Mazda BT-50 Pangolin 4×4 | Isuzu D-MAX LS-E 4×4 |
| Headlights | Automatic LED with Double-L Shaped DRL | Automatic Full LED with DRL |
| Taillights | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| Fog Lights | Front LED and Rear Bulb-Type | Front LED and Rear Bulb-Type |
| Side Mirrors | Power-Adjust and Power-Fold, Body-Colored | Power-Adjust and Power-Fold, Dark Gray Metallic Finish |
| Side Steps | With | With |
| Towing Hitch Receiver | – | – |
| Tailgate Assist | With | – |
| Fender Flares | With | With |
| Roof Rails | With | With |
| INTERIOR | Mazda BT-50 Pangolin 4×4 | Isuzu D-MAX LS-E 4×4 |
| Interior Color | Black | Black |
| Seat Material | Leather | Leather |
| Seat Adjustment | 8-Way Power (Driver) 4-Way Manual (Passenger) | 8-Way Power (Driver) 4-Way Manual (Passenger) |
| Seat Heating and Ventilation | Heated Front Seats | – |
| Steering Wheel | Leather-Wrapped, Tilt & Telescopic | Leather-Wrapped, Tilt & Telescopic |
Tech and Convenience Features
Gone are the days when pickup trucks were featureless. Of course, the Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-MAX both have you covered when it comes to the latest tech and convenience features.
Unsurprisingly, both share similar feature sets but with slight differences. The Mazda BT-50 makes use of the global Isuzu infotainment system, while the Isuzu D-MAX uses a locally-sourced but larger system. Both get a digital instrument cluster, USB Type C ports, and an eight-speaker audio system on the top-spec variants.
| Mazda BT-50 Pangolin 4×4 | Isuzu D-MAX LS-E 4×4 | |
| Instrument Cluster | 7-inch Digital | 7-inch Digital |
| Heads-Up Display (HUD) | – | – |
| Infotainment | 9-inch touchscreen | 10.1-inch touchscreen |
| Phone Connectivity | Apple Carplay (Wireless), Android Auto, USB, Bluetooth | Apple Carplay (Wireless), Android Auto, USB, Bluetooth |
| Audio System | 8-speaker audio system | 8-speaker audio system |
| USB Ports | Front: 1x Type C Rear: 1x Type C | Front: 1x Type C, 1x Type A Rear: 1x Type C |
| Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic | Dual-Zone Automatic |
| Inside Rear-View Mirror | Auto-Dimming | Auto-Dimming |
| Wireless Phone Charger | With | With |
Powertrain
Under the hood, it’s as identical as it gets. Both get the same turbodiesel engine from Isuzu making the same amount of power and torque, and mated to the same transmission. The Isuzu D-MAX however does get the option of a smaller displacement engine and a manual transmission on lower variants.
| Mazda BT-50 Pangolin 4×4 | Isuzu D-MAX LS-E 4×4 | |
| Engine | 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX Inline 4-Cylinder Turbodiesel | 3.0-liter 4JJ3-TCX Inline 4-Cylinder Turbodiesel |
| Fuel Type | Diesel | Diesel |
| Fuel Rating | – | – |
| Power | 190 horsepower | 190 horsepower |
| Torque | 450 Nm | 450 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | 4×4 | 4×4 |
Safety
Regardless of which of these two you get, safety is uncompromised as both get a full suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), as well as several passive safety systems. Being the same system as well, both have been improved for their latest updates with a new camera system and additional features.
| Mazda BT-50 Pangolin 4×4 | Isuzu D-MAX LS-E 4×4 | |
| Advanced Driver-Assist Systems (ADAS) | Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Front and Rear Autonomous Emergency Braking, Multi-Collision Brake, Pedal Misapplication Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic High Beam, Driver Attention Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Front and Rear Autonomous Emergency Braking, Multi-Collision Brake, Pedal Misapplication Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic High Beam, Driver Attention Assist |
| Camera | 360-degree Camera with Digital Video Recorder | 360-degree Camera with Digital Video Recorder |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| Airbags | 7 (Including Driver’s Knee Airbag) | 7 (Including Driver’s Knee Airbag) |
| Anti-Lock Braking System | With | With |
| Electronic Brakeforce Distribution | With | With |
| Stability Control | With | With |
| Traction Control | With | With |
| Hill Descent Control | With | With |
| Hill Start Assist | With | With |
| Emergency Stop Signal | With | With |
| ISOFIX | With | With |
| Anti-Theft | Immobilizer and Alarm | Immobilizer and Alarm |
Pricing and Warranty
The 2025 Mazda BT-50’s prices start at Php 1,550,000 while the Isuzu D-MAX’s starts at Php 978,000. As for the variants we’re comparing, the BT-50 3.0 4×4 A/T Pangolin is priced at Php 1,850,000 while the D-MAX 3.0 LS-E 4×4 A/T is priced at Php 1,995,000.
That means the former is actually more affordable by Php 145,000 despite offering similar amounts of equipment plus a few more. It’s also worth noting that the former also comes with a five-year free service plan which means buyers will not need to spend a single peso on vehicle maintenance for the first five years of ownership.
Both the Mazdas BT-50 and Isuzu D-MAX get a three-year or 100,000km vehicle warranty, whichever comes first.
Mazda BT-50 or Isuzu D-MAX?
Seeing all the specifications and features of these two lifestyle workhorses and then choosing between them seems to be difficult. Both offer similar equipment and powertrains, making them pretty much on par with each other with only small differences. In the end, it will be a matter of preference when it comes to the design as that is mainly where they differ. Also, the name.
Some buyers will prefer the Mazda BT-50 thanks to the brand’s more premium image, along with its ownership perks, while others will prefer the Isuzu D-MAX for the brand’s reputation as a solid and reliable workhorse. We do think that regardless of which you choose, you won’t be making a mistake. We’d just rather enjoy the perks of the Mazda BT-50.
How about you, which do you think is the better option?
Photos by Julian Panlilio
