Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011 at 21:32
Isuzumu, If you can buy the Mazda for $6k cheaper than the Ranger then Ford are looking very silly aren't they? Everyone should buy the Mazda. Seriously and typically the vehicles are usually different spec, if thats not the case you've answered your own question and don't need the Ford to compare.
In reality Isuzumu they are more than 99% different as you say, I suggest you do your research a little better. Now read on, there's plenty thats different when it comes to the car in total.
Quote Drive Comparison "The Mazda and Ford utes share about 85 per cent of their parts but some clever styling touches help set them apart. Outside, the main differences are front panels, bonnet, headlights, grille and bumpers. Inside, the dashboard and console are the same in the Ford and Mazda but the ignition keys, steering wheels and gearknobs are different.
The Mazda's engine and gearbox are identical to the Ford but in our experience the performance is vastly different. In our 0 to 100kmh test (four people on-board, full tank, slightly uphill) the diesel BT-50 stopped the clocks at 13.2 seconds - two seconds quicker than the Ford. We put it down to the fact that the two-door Mazda is about 100kg lighter than the four-door Ford and the Mazda had travelled more than twice the kilometres of the Ford before it got to us, so the engine may have been more willing.
The biggest difference, though, is the steering feel. Perhaps the Mazda's lighter weight contributes to the improvement, or perhaps Mazda has tuned its steering differently, but judging by the cars tested, the Mazda feels better. The Mazda's brakes were also more reassuring, though we can probably put this down to either the Mazda going through a better running-in process or perhaps the Ford Ranger experienced some abuse before it reached our hands.
The Mazda's not perfect, though. We subjected our back
seat testers to our road loop and they emerged to report that the back bench should be used only in emergencies. Two small cushions on the floor and two on the back wall of the cabin provide little comfort. And while there are lap-sash seatbelts for the two rear occupants, there is nothing in the way of head protection. If the Mazda were hit hard from behind, it's likely the back bench passengers would hit their heads on the rear window.
Given that Mazda has a strong focus on safety with its passenger car range (head-protecting curtain airbags are available either as standard or as an option on most of its hatchbacks and sedans) it's unusual that the company has chosen not to make
seat-mounted side airbags available on the BT-50 (they're standard on the Ford Ranger XLT).
Another point to note: the Mazda dual-cab's price is $2440 cheaper than the almost identical Ford but the Mazda works out only $580 cheaper once the $1862 charge for air-conditioning is included.
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