BYD Shark 6 Reviews

Before you get your hopes up… no, despite the name, this isn’t BYD’s answer to the Ford Ranger Raptor. But the new Shark 6 Performance might do something even better than just be quick.This is the brand’s first major update to its ute, coming after it became a sales hit despite paving the way for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) utes. However, while it has cemented itself as one of the top five most popular utes in Australia, it isn’t without its shortcomings.Specifically, the Shark 6 came under fire for its 2500kg towing capacity, when the industry standard is considered 3500kg, and some issues when the going gets slippery off-road. So, BYD has acted swiftly to try and address those criticisms and continue the Shark 6’s sales growth.That’s why the Performance, which sits above the existing Premium variant, has a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, replacing the 1.5-litre version. BYD has also added a more powerful front axle motor (but kept the rear axle motor the same), for a combined system output of 350kW and 700Nm. That’s a 29kW/50Nm improvement over the Shark 6 Premium.While that doesn’t mean it’s much faster, the 0-100km/h sprint now takes 5.5 seconds which is only 0.2 seconds faster than the Premium, but the added torque means the Performance can tow up to 3500kg.Then to tackle the criticisms about its off-road performance, particularly on steep inclines and slippery surfaces, BYD has introduced a new off-road setting to the car’s complex computer, ‘Crawl’ mode.This new setting was developed in Australia, as we are the lead market for the Shark 6, and it goes a long way to rectifying the problems the PHEV ute would have on high angle, slippery surfaces at low speed, where the traction control system would struggle to get you out of a jam.So Crawl mode activates between 0-12km/h and uses the petrol engine to help get over rocks, steep climbs, deep ruts and soft sand.Notably, BYD opted against adding the mechanical locking differential featured in the sister-brand Denza’s B5 and B8 SUVs, which share the same 2.0-litre PHEV powertrain. What there are though, are larger brakes, which helps if you’re towing an extra tonne, and revisions to the suspension, but otherwise changes are limited. Visually the Performance and Premium are the same externally, with the Performance getting a unique steering wheel and steering column-mounted gear selector.Driving the new Shark 6 Performance across a variety of conditions - on-road, off-road and towing - it doesn’t take long to realise why it has become so popular. BYD has had the rare fortune of meeting the market with exactly the right vehicle at exactly the right moment.With the rise of ‘lifestyle’ utes, the fuel efficiency of the Shark 6 Performance - using just 1.3L/100km and with a 80km electric range - combined with its new-found off-road improvements and ability to tow more, will only make it more appealing as diesel prices show no signs of diving anytime soon.On the road, the new engine doesn’t feel dramatically different to the existing 1.5-litre though, so if you are still thinking the badge makes it a sporty, high-performance ute, you will be disappointed. But it did manage to tow well over 2500kg during our test drive, pulling a large caravan without too much effort. Yes, you can feel the engine and motors are working harder to haul so much weight, but it doesn’t feel like it is straining.While we only did a basic towing test, BYD claimed that during local testing they pulled a 3500kg, 25ft caravan and saw a return of 18L/100km.Priced from $62,990 (plus on-road costs) the Performance is a $5000 premium on the Premium, but that will be a small price to pay for those looking for that extra 1000kg of towing capability.

BYD shook up the ute establishment with the arrival of its ground-breaking plug-in hybrid, the Shark 6. Now it’s looking to target the heartland of the ute audience with its newest addition.The Shark 6 Dynamic is a cab-chassis variant, expanding the appeal of the Chinese-made ute to a more working-class audience, and in particular the lucrative fleet segment.Or at least that’s what the company is hoping for, as the Dynamic joins an expanded Shark 6 line-up that also includes the more powerful Performance variant, which introduces 3.5-tonne towing capacity.Priced from $55,900 plus on-road costs the Dynamic Cab Chassis is the new entry point to the Shark 6 line-up, $2000 cheaper than the existing Premium and $7000 less than the new Performance.It’s powered by the same combination of 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and dual electric motors (one on each axle) as the Premium, which is good for a combined output of 321kW/650Nm. The motors are supported by BYD’s signature Blade battery, a 29.5kWh lithium iron phosphate unit that's the same as the other Shark 6. That’s enough for a claimed driving range of 800km combining the battery and 60-litre fuel tank, with a 100km electric-only range and fuel consumption rated at 2.0L/100km.Interestingly, BYD has opted to limit the new, bigger 2.0-litre engine to the Performance, so the Cab Chassis, despite being the obvious workhorse of the range, is limited to a 2500kg braked towing capacity.Instead of targeting the towing market, BYD is clearly hoping the Dynamic Cab Chassis appeals to those looking for a flexible work solution, which is exactly what fleet buyers want. By offering a Cab Chassis, BYD will be able to target organisations that need a ute but also have specific needs for the tray, such as special toolboxes and other setups.However, if you’re looking for a solution direct from the showroom, BYD has partnered with Ironman 4x4 to develop an approved tray available as an option. It features eight integrated tie-down points and two lockable storage boxes, one of which houses the charging outlet. It measures 1679mm long, 1809mm wide and 259mm in height.BYD hadn’t confirmed the price of this Ironman tray at the time of publication.BYD has also avoided publishing a direct payload figure, only publishing the gross vehicle mass and kerb weight, which suggests a 900kg payload, albeit minus the weight of the tray (which is 150kg) or any other extras. In addition to carrying over the same powertrain as the Shark 6 Premium, the Cab Chassis also has the same suspension setup, double wishbone type front and rear, instead of utilising the more capable leaf-spring rear end suspension favoured by most of its rivals.While this does limit payload, to a degree, it also helps ensure the Shark 6 Dynamic rides with a more SUV-like composure, rather than the busier, more bumpy ride that its rivals can suffer from - especially when unladen.It’s obviously a risk in this highly competitive market, but so was launching a plug-in hybrid ute in the first place, so it makes sense that BYD is sticking to the strategy that has worked so far.It translates to a ute that is quite quiet and pleasant to drive both on-road and off-road, although testing it alongside the new Performance did highlight the extra strength of the new, larger engined model.BYD did add approximately 400kg of payload to the tray for us to sample the ride and performance with some weight in the back. Given the amount of weight, it was entirely surprising that it managed to perform without any noticeable difference. Certainly, for fleet or private buyers needing to carry a few hundred kilos or add big toolboxes or similar to the back of the Shark 6, this new Dynamic variant will be up to the task.It has the same well-finished interior as the Premium, so it doesn’t look or feel like a ‘workhorse’ inside either. It has the same level of space and versatility that has made the Shark 6 a popular choice for so many ute buyers, presumably many with families, so the SUV-like cabin makes it feel family friendly.

Australia gets yet another ute but does the BYD Shark 6 Premium deliver?

The BYD Shark 6, the first plug-in hybrid electric ute to hit Australia's shores, is leading the charge of plug-in hybrid electric utes, followed closely by PHEV versions of the Ford Ranger and GWM Cannon Alpha.It's an innovative approach and has generated plenty of excitement, but is the Shark 6 - with no 4WD, no low-range gearing and no diff-locks - a novelty or a sign of things to come?

The BYD Shark 6 brings advanced plug-in electric/petrol engine hybrid technology to Australia's 4x4 ute segment. But does it have the robust workhorse capabilities of traditional turbo-diesel rivals?

Has the ute segment finally been revolutionised?

The BYD Shark 6 is Australia's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, slotting in between the GWM Cannon Alpha hybrid and full-electric LDV eT60 on the electrification scale. But the Shark 6 PHEV is cheaper than both so should make big waves. With a petrol engine and two electric motors on each axle providing 4WD, the BYD offers some - if not all - of its rivals' abilities, and is roomy to boot.