2025 BYD Shark plug-in hybrid ute revealed, Australian launch confirmed

This is the 2025 BYD Shark plug-in hybrid ute!

Chinese carmaker BYD has unveiled its first ute, the Shark, in Mexico ahead of its Australian launch to rival the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton.

With local arrivals due late in 2024 or at the start of 2025, the Shark will beat the Ford Ranger PHEV to market as the first plug-in hybrid ute sold in Australia – joining other 'green' models like the LDV eT60 EV and petrol-electric GWM Cannon Alpha hybrid.

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While the best-selling utes in Australia have pure diesel or petrol power, the BYD Shark has a ‘Dual Mode Off-Road’ plug-in hybrid system, pairing a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol and dual electric motors for a combined power output higher than a Ford Ranger Raptor.

BYD claims the Shark has “more than” 321kW in total – compared to 292kW for the Raptor – with a 5.7-second 0-100km/h acceleration time.

Fuel consumption is rated at 7.5L/100km in Mexico, similar to other four-cylinder turbo-diesel utes sold in Australia, but higher than lighter and more-aerodynamic plug-in hybrid SUVs and passenger cars.

Braked towing capacity is rated at 2.5 tonnes – lower than most rivals that offer between 3.0 and 3.5 tonnes, including the Ranger PHEV – while its payload is listed at 835 kilograms.

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The combined driving range when the Shark is running as a hybrid is listed at 840 kilometres under the less-stringent NEDC testing cycle, while it has a 100-kilometre NEDC range in electric-only mode.

BYD says the plug-in hybrid system will prioritise electric motor propulsion for “up to 80% of total journeys” and it will also offer a vehicle-to-load function to power appliances from the vehicle’s battery. The lithium-iron phosphate ‘blade’ battery forms part of the chassis with structural rigidity of up to 38 per cent.

It has three terrain modes – sand, mud and snow – and instant torque distribution between the front and rear wheels, while there is independent coil-spring rear suspension.

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Measuring 5457mm long, 1971mm wide and 1925mm tall, the BYD Shark is one of the largest utes in the midsize class. For context, the Shark is 87mm longer, 53mm wider and 39mm taller than a Ranger Wildtrak.

Inside, the BYD Shark features a 12.8-inch infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera system, a wireless phone charger, and a head-up display.

An NFC key card is also included, with iPhone users able to unlock, lock and start their Shark using the Apple CarKey function first seen in BMW vehicles. It is unclear if this functionality will be offered in Australia.

Mexican versions of the Shark have six airbags where less-stringent safety standard apply. Local versions could add a front-centre airbag for a better chance of receiving a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Active safety features include autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

In Mexico, the BYD Shark is priced from 899,980 pesos (AU$80,500), but local pricing should start closer to $70,000 before on-road costs – similar to the diesel Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Toyota HiLux GR Sport and Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain utes.

BYD has conducted local testing for the Shark – with prototypes spotted here since late 2023 – and it is likely to become one of the brand’s most important products in its ambitious goal to overtake Toyota and become the number one carmaker in Australia by 2030.

Keep up to date with all of our BYD Shark coverage at the links below.