Big, tough and full of tech: Best pics yet of 2024 BYD ute as plug-in hybrid Ford Ranger rival nears

BYD's incoming dual-cab ute has been snapped testing in Australia, giving us our best look yet at China's answer to the soon-to-launch Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid rival.

The images published by CarNewsChina show what appears to be a right-hand-drive ute snapped in its final stages of testing, which ties with BYD's launch plan, with the ute expected to arrive by the middle of the year.

But with much of the camouflage peeled away, and the best view to date of the ute's interior, there's a lot to learn here.

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Let's start with the cabin, where it appears BYD will go with a missile-switch style, with a panel located behind a massive curved drive selector controlling things like engine start, hazard lights, EV or hybrid drive, and a couple of other unclear functions.

We know also that it will get downhill descent control, leather-wrapped grab handles for both driver and passenger on either side of the central console, and red stitching and interior highlights.

Front and centre in the cabin, though, is a giant screen, which will host your smartphone connectivity, and a second sizeable screen in front of the driver acting as a digital dash. A red-stitched, flat-bottomed steering wheel also appears.

Front and centre in the cabin is a giant screen. (Image: CarNewsChina)

Outside, the new images reveal a tough-looking, squared-off front end, with vertically stacked headlights and DRLs, and what appears to be underbody protection (though it could be plastic) extending from the bottom of the number plate to under the vehicle.

From the rear, a ribbed tub liner appears, as does a matt black sports bar. A light bar appears to span the width of the tray, while the vertical light treatment is applied to the rear lights, too. Black sidesteps and black and silver alloys complete the exterior picture, for now.

Described as a "game-breaker" by EVDirect's Luke Todd, the ute will feature BYD's DM-i plug-in petrol-hybrid technology and is promising a 1000km total driving range.

BYD's incoming dual-cab ute has been snapped testing in Australia. (Image: CarNewsChina)

Let's start with the cabin, where it appears BYD will go with a missile-switch style. (Image: CarNewsChina)

From the rear, a ribbed tub liner appears, as does a matt black sports bar. (Image: CarNewsChina)

BYD has also partnered with former Ford and Holden engineers to make its ute fit-for-purpose in Australia, bringing Commodore- and Falcon-based ute knowledge to the table.

"Our team of engineers, they've come from a background of designing some of the best utes in Australia," Mr Todd has told CarsGuide.

"We've got a wonderful team that have been working hand-in-hand with the BYD design team, and I can tell you every effort has been put in to make sure it has got the maximum off-road capability, while... it drives like a sports car. When you get it on road it does what you want it to do."