The BYD Shark 6 might beat rivals like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux on price and equipment, but it falls short on payload and towing.
BYD’s headline-stealing Shark 6 plug-in ute will be keenly priced and well equipped compared to rivals, but fall short of the segment-standard 3500kg braked towing capacity.
However, this won’t be a problem for local buyers, according to David Smitherman, CEO of BYD’s Australian importer EVDirect, because the Shark 6’s strength lies in its unique powertrain.
“Number one, we’re trying to bring to market a game-changing PHEV and what it does is deliver that,” he said.
“We’re going to have a range of 800km [combined], 100km on EV, you can see the design elements, you can see the payload is 790kg.
“Yes, [3500kg braked towing capacity] that’s a number, but our number’s 2500kg, and we’re entirely comfortable with that.
“We think that will meet the majority of Aussie motorist’s needs and we’re super happy with that.”
As previously detailed, the Shark 6 is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, combining a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor for each axle.
Combined outputs reach 321kW/650Nm, making it the most potent 4×4 dual-cab ute of this size in Australia.
Sending drive to all four wheels via a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) also enables a claimed zero-to-100km/h acceleration time of 5.7 seconds – also making the Shark 6 the quickest car in its class.
Meanwhile, a 29.6kWh battery enables an all-electric driving range rated for up to 100km, and can be recharged from 30-80 per cent in as little as 25 minutes when using a 55kW DC fast charger.
However, the Shark 6 also features double-wishbone front and rear suspension, rather than leaf springs in the back as many workhorses like the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton and Isuzu D-Max do.
As such, the Shark 6’s payload capacity and braked tow rating of 790kg and 2500kg, respectively, are down on competitors that broadly target a close-to-one-tonne and 3500kg figure for each.
Smitherman said he is aware of the Shark’s shortcomings in these areas, and that it would be a dealbreaker for some buyers that carry heavy equipment or tow large caravans, but the BYD ute is still suitable for most prospective customers.
“We’ve done a survey of over 800 customers, and we’ve asked them what their needs and wants are for a vehicle and the real feedback on that is that this vehicle [Shark 6] is fit for purpose,” Smitherman said.
“And this vehicle will meet the needs of 90 per cent of people, and we’re entirely comfortable [with that].”
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