BYD Shark Confirmed for October 29 Australian Launch

UPDATE: We have a full review of the 2025 BYD Shark 6 out now!

BYD has confirmed to CarSauce on a media trip to China that its plug-in hybrid ute, the BYD Shark, will arrive in Australia on October 29, 2024. This makes it the first plug-in hybrid ute available in the local market, ahead of the highly anticipated Ford Ranger PHEV. The BYD Shark’s arrival comes as part of the Chinese automaker’s continued expansion into Australia, following the successful introduction of models like the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, and Sealion 6. BYD has quickly become a notable player in the electric vehicle (EV) space globally and is continuing to bring new models to market at a competitive pace.

The Shark is built on BYD’s Dual Mode Offroad platform, which was initially developed for electric vehicles before being adapted to include combustion engines. This design approach potentially offers benefits in areas like battery placement, cabin space, and overall vehicle dynamics.

In terms of size, the Shark measures 5,457mm in length, 1,971mm in width, and 1,925mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,260mm. It offers a payload capacity of 835kg, a competitive figure for its class, though not class-leading. The all-coil suspension could provide improved on-road comfort compared to leaf-sprung competitors, but that will need to be verified with on-road testing once the vehicle is available.

The Shark’s hybrid powertrain combines a 1.5L turbo petrol engine with two electric motors, delivering 320kW of total output. This results in a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds, positioning it as one of the quicker utes in its category. The vehicle is equipped with BYD's Blade Battery providing an electric-only range of up to 80km on the WLTP cycle, which is notably higher than the Ford Ranger PHEV’s expected electric range of around 45km.

Inside, the Shark offers a range of features typical of modern vehicles, including a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.8-inch rotating infotainment display, dual wireless chargers, and a heads-up display. Additionally, it boasts 282mm of ground clearance, an approach angle of 31 degrees, and BYD’s Level 2 autonomous driving safety suite, which has been improved since its initial Australian release.

Pricing for the Shark is expected to be competitive. In Mexico, the model is priced between AUD $81,500 and $87,800, but historically, BYD vehicles have been priced lower in Australia. Industry speculation suggests that local pricing could fall between $60,000 and $73,000, making it a potential disruptor in a market that includes the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, and other popular utes.

However, the Shark’s towing capacity is capped at 2.5 tonnes, which may be a consideration for buyers requiring higher towing capabilities, as competitors like the diesel-powered Ranger offer a 3.5-tonne capacity. It remains to be seen how the Shark will compare to the forthcoming Ford Ranger PHEV in terms of overall performance and utility.

As with any new vehicle, long-term reliability will be a factor for buyers, particularly given the importance of reliability in the Australian ute market. BYD has made strides in proving the durability of its vehicles globally, but local buyers will be watching closely to see how the Shark performs over time.

The BYD Shark’s entry into the market is set to bring more competition to the growing plug-in hybrid ute segment in Australia, and its impact will become clearer once it launches at the end of October.