4x4 Dual-Cab Ute Comparison: Isuzu D-Max vs Mazda BT-50

Utes are large, tough looking beasts. Will you find one you like the look of more than the other? Here’s how the BT-50 and D-Max compare, D-Max first.

The D-Max looks like a proper, rough ute. And look, aesthetically while it doesn’t appeal to me, it did give me the confidence that nobody would mess with me while I was driving it.

The D-Max looks like a proper, rough ute (image: Dean McCartney).

It gives you the impression it could take you on outside the pub if it needed to! And take you across a river! Or up a gravelly hillside. That’s the vibe I’m getting here. 

The inside is decent enough, there are leather accented seats and a leather steering wheel. It’s not by any means luxe but it looks easy to clean when you climb back in after a muddy camping trip, which you’ll no doubt take in this car. 

The inside of the D-Max is decent enough, but it is not by any means luxe (image: Dean McCartney).

It does have some metallic accents throughout the cabin and some high gloss points throughout. 

In the Mazda, I got the most comments from women: “How’s your truck going?”, “What are you driving?”, “How is it to drive?” 

So, there was a tiny bit of interest but mostly it was, “what are you doing in a ute?” And that’s probably thanks to the fact my husband is not a tradie, and also that the car looks like small truck.

But the Mazda BT-50 doesn’t look as truck-like as other utes. There's the familiar Mazda grille and overall it looks more sophisticated and stylish than the D-Max. 

The Mazda BT-50 doesn’t look as truck-like as other utes (image: Dean McCartney).

I was in the middle of the range BT-50 XTR, and while there aren't as many fancy interior features as the top-of-the-range GT, it still looks good - especially for a ute.

The GT is a few grand more and adds brown leather seats and front seat heating.

There are fabric seats that feel fine and a leather steering wheel. The dash in front of the steering wheel looks a bit dated and the multimedia screen feels like that, too.

The BT-50 XTR features fabric seats that feel fine and a leather steering wheel (image: Dean McCartney).

But compared with some other utes this is quite classy. It’s not as flash as an SUV, but it does win on design compared with the D-Max.  

So, as far as design goes, the BT-50 has a more stylish exterior and interior. The D-Max is more expensive and is the top-of-the-range, which is why you’ll get leather seats in there. To get the same in the BT-50 you need to spend more on the top model. 

These two utes may look different but they’re actually exactly the same car same under the skin - yes, seriously the same - and that means they have exactly the same amount of interior space. 

So, when you get into the D-Max and have an enjoyably large cabin, it’s the same thing in the BT-50. Huge.

These two utes may look different but they’re actually exactly the same car same under the skin (pictured: Mazda, image: Dean McCartney).

They’re both high off the ground and feel positively airy with loads of leg and headroom in the front even, for taller passengers. They are big people’s cars. 

Rear passengers also have a good amount of space and my kids happily used the side step to climb up and in.

They also have plenty of room in the back seat, I can fit comfortably at 161cm (5'3") and taller adults/teenagers won’t struggle with legroom or headroom in either car. 

While you can fit three kids car seats across, neither car has three top tether points. There are only two top tethers so you can only put two children’s car seats in.

So, if you have three kids, make sure one is out of a car seat before buying either of these utes. 

Now, instead of a boot, you get a giant tray, which is great for deliveries, when you’ve got loads of boxes you want to transport around. And of course for tradies who have to carry tools for their job.

For a mum doing the school run who doesn’t have a business that needs a lot of delivery space, it’s not as convenient as a regular boot. 

Space wise it is huge and that’s the advantage of having a ute. 

The D-Max has the hard cover on the back tray, which doesn’t come standard with the Mazda.

The D-Max has the hard cover on the back tray (image: Dean McCartney).

But the Mazda has a bunch of accessories options, like a hard or soft cover for the tray (from $3115) and you can even get a whole canopy on top starting at around four grand.

The Mazda offers are bunch of different finishes on the tray (image: Dean McCartney).

Plus, there are bunch of different finishes on the tray and you can opt in a rubber tray mat too. 

Well, here’s the thing. Because the D-Max and BT-50 have the same engine, suspension, and anything mechanical really, they drive exactly the same!

How does it feel to drive a ute on the school run?

The most surprising thing I found is that I actually enjoyed driving them. I love being so high up off the road, I love having all the power of a 3.0L engine, and sure, it sounds like a loud diesel, but it’s a ute, you’ve got to expect that.

Then there’s the quiet confidence that comes with having a proper 4WD. The turning circle isn’t even as huge as I thought it was going to be.

It’s not awkward to turn and the steering wheel is light and easy, so parking wasn’t as much of an issue as I expected, and I squeezed into spaces I didn’t think these cars were capable of using. There’s also a decent reverse parking camera.

The official combined fuel figure is 8.0L/100km and that’s diesel. There is no electric or hybrid version on offer. We averaged 10.4L/100km.

So clearly, the BT-50 and D-Max score the same in the driving section. It’s a very tight race we have here folks. 

Now if you’re wondering about warranty, here’s where the two differ. 

In the Isuzu D-Max you’ll get a six year/150,000km warranty with 13 months roadside assistance. And if you service your D-Max with a participating Isuzu Ute dealer, the roadside cover will be extended up to a maximum of seven years.

In the Isuzu D-Max you’ll get a six year/150,000km warranty (image: Dean McCartney).

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000 km, and seven-year capped servicing is offered, so services will cost just over $480 each year for that period. 

In the BT-50, Mazda offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and gives you five years of roadside assistance.

In the BT-50, Mazda offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty (image: Dean McCartney).

Services are required every 12 months or 15,000km and  there is a capped servicing plan that averages out over the five years to be approximately $496 per service. 

Unless you cover really big kilometres, Isuzu wins this round... just.