The BYD SHARK 6 made waves when it first arrived, shaking a segment that is so important for Kiwis in a plugged-in way we had not seen before. Back then, we did a video review full of Jaws references, and the same way that cult classic had a great sequel, the SHARK makes a comeback to my driveway, this time dressed to impress in a head-turning orange hue. While technically the same truck as before, a few small updates and accessories (and a bit of time apart) have given me a fresh appreciation for what BYD’s plug-in predator can do.
Alongside the video, you can also read Dave’s review of it here, and see it left a strong first impression with us. But this latest loaner, refreshed and kitted up, gave me another chance to see whether the SHARK 6’s bite still matches the bark. Spoiler: it absolutely does, even though, last I checked, Sharks don’t bark.
Let’s talk about the paint first. This new orange finish is great: bold without being gaudy, and a smart execution of a hero colour for a ute. Yeah, the SHARK’s meal of choice also comes in orange, but this is a deeper, more metallic hue that accentuates the modern design of this truck. It is complemented by subtle orange touches inside too, like stitching, buttons, and interior trim details. Utes have to navigate this tricky terrain of being lifestyle vehicles while also having to look purposeful on site, and this cohesive approach does just that.
Inside, things remain largely unchanged – and that’s no bad thing. The cabin still offers a refined layout with practical storage, intuitive infotainment, and a clear sense that BYD wants to make the ute experience a little more comfortable than we’re used to. The lifted ambience gets to impress those experiencing it for the first time: I had someone jump from another ute straight into the BYD and the look and feel was their main compliment.
All the tech from the previous model I had is still present: responsive screens, a good voice assistant, and plenty of active safety features that get the job done well. The handy buttons for the 360 camera, the shortcuts to phone projection and the decision to have all drive and off-road modes at the steering wheel make for a ute that’s easier to interact with on the daily. The small gripe I still had with BYD cars “announcing” features turning on or off was absent here, which meant one less occasion for the sense of refinement and premiumness to be interrupted. Such an easy fix, with a great benefit.
This being a PHEV, there is plenty of mechanical shenanigans going on behind the curtains. You get a 29kWh battery (bigger than most full fledged BEVs from a decade ago) powering the electric bits and a 1.5 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged engine handling the petrol side of the equation. But, when the time to get going arrives, it drives way more EV than H.
The plug-in hybrid setup is smooth and silent, and provides a level of isolation we’re not used to having in utes of this size, especially when powered by diesel engines. Starting from a 100% state of charge, the EV-only range circled around the 80km mark during my drive, and you can use the SAVE mode if you want to retain some juice for later. I turned it on before the 25% limit the car imposes on itself, and was able to use regenerative braking to bring the SOC back to 50% in a short drive. That is real smart, shows good powertrain management and efficiency, and doesn’t punish you in case you make a last minute decision to change your driving regimen.
When the SOC eventually drops below that, the SHARK defaults back to HEV mode and, even though it will mostly drive like an EV still, there is no hiding there is a small 4 cylinder engine working hard on the background. In these circumstances, efficiency takes a hit as the engine is working a double shift, but it does not undermine the car’s usability as a hybrid, with the potential to clock 700km of total range.
In fact, unless you’re really laying into it, the EV mode is strong enough to keep things moving with no sense of sluggishness (disclaimer: I only ever drove it unladen).
The overall impression – again – is how smooth it feels. Despite its size and stature, the SHARK 6 drives how one would want a ute to: with a chunky confidence, but never feeling unwieldy. It glides over urban streets and handles rural detours with ease. While not a full EV, the refinement when cruising on electric power alone is more than enough to shame most diesel competitors. And, if you get the ute to work with you, this can be most of your experience, considering the hefty battery and real world EV range.
There’s a clear understanding from BYD here: ute buyers want comfort and utility – not just leaf-spring punishment. And they’ve nailed that blend. To add to that capability, this unit came with a rigid, lockable bed cover – practical, secure, and elevating the truck’s everyday usability. And with the SHARK now having been widely accepted by the market, a broader range of accessories is available, including tub replacements and more, showing both the company and the aftermarket are serious about serving real ute buyers. When picking it up, I was even shown a model with a metal tray and canopy, fitted from new. A SHARK with an overlander setup using that as a kitchen and a rooftop tent fitted above it would be my go-to camper of choice – refinement, convenience, V2L, versatility, what’s not to like?
If I haven’t said it before, I’ll say it now: most ute buyers would be better off in a plug-in hybrid like the BYD SHARK 6 than the traditional ICEs. It makes the commute easier, saves fuel, and still does most ute things when you need it, all of that with an experience that makes for a vehicle of a different segment and price bracket.
I said most. Your mileage will (literally) vary depending on how much serious off-roading, towing and massive distance driving you do, so the first step is understanding your use case, as options keep getting better and better wherever you look. If the PHEV route suits you, the SHARK is an impressive contender, and now, with better colour options and growing accessories, you can spec it your way.
The second time around, the SHARK 6 bites as hard as before – and I’m still very much on board. Thanks, BYD for the opportunity, and thank you for reading this far!
