Motoring
A RUGGED DUO
ROADTEST: TOYOTA HILUX & MAZDA BT-50 BY TOBY HAGON
If you’re looking to head off-road or tackle some of Papua New Guinea’s tougher roads and tracks, it pays to get a vehicle designed for the task. For many, that ends up being a pick-up truck, allowing both the loading flexibility expected in a vehicle with a large tray out the back and seating for up to five people. Two of the best on the market are the Toyota Hilux and Mazda BT-50. The Hilux is popular with good reason, updated late in 2020 with some minor design tweaks and a power boost to the 2.8-litre, four-cylinder engine. The Mazda, on the other hand, has youth on its side. The current BT-50 is fresher than the Hilux, having only gone on sale in 2021. For Mazda, the latest BT-50 is a change of direction, at least in how it was created. Previously the model was built by Ford, sharing the mechanical components of the Ranger. The latest comes out of an Isuzu factory, sharing its trucking expertise with the D-Max light duty pick-up.
INSIDE There’s a familiarity to the Hilux that goes with its tough-as-nails nature. What it lacks in pampering 46 PNG NOW JUNE–AUGUST 2022
TOYOTA HILUX 4X4 DUAL CAB Engine: 2.8-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel Power/torque: 150kW/500Nm Transmission: 6-speed auto, part-time 4WD
luxury it makes up for with a rugged demeanour that gives the impression it will fend off dust and muck for years to come. The most recent update saw some tweaks, including the addition of a dial to adjust the volume on the touchscreen, which incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Mazda matches that connectivity, although there’s a wireless functionality to the CarPlay that means there’s no need to plug your Apple phone in. More space, too. The BT-50 is a wider vehicle that provides more elbow room and rear legroom, both handy if you’re travelling with a full house. Pick-up trucks are designed to carry big loads and both the Mazda and Toyota can carry about one tonne (inclusive of any people you add to the car). Each can also tow up to 3.5 tonnes.
