BYD flags stronger off-road tech for Shark 6

BYD intends to bolster the off-road credentials of its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, with a senior regional executive confirming that customer feedback has informed a program of ongoing hardware and capability improvements.

The Shark 6 has touched a nerve in the 4x4 dual-cab ute segment in Australia, hoovering up 15,181 deliveries year-to-date and securing 8.5 per cent market share—while traditional rivals like the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max have all seen sales declines over the same period last year.

Unlike the latter trio, however, the plug-in Shark employs a dual-motor electric all-wheel drive system fed by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 29.5kWh lithium iron phosphate traction battery. While it produces a hefty 321kW/650Nm combined, it lacks any kind of mechanical 4WD system.

“We know that customers have some complaints about the (Shark 6) product, but we will definitely keep on improving and (will respond) to the customers,” Liu Xueliang, BYD Asia-Pacific automotive general manager, told GoAuto via interpreter.

BYD, which recently transitioned its distribution in Australia to a national sales company model, will in the coming months introduce a luxury 4WD under its Denza brand to the local market with similar underpinnings to the Shark 6.

However, the Denza B5—as the model will be badged—adds extra off-roading tech to the Shark platform’s swag, including front and rear differential locks and a simulated low-range gearbox, plus variable-height suspension—all items missing on the current iteration of the Shark 6 ($57,900 plus on-road costs).

The B5 carries over the basic electrified AWD concept as the Shark 6, which allows for precise motor control—but the BYD ute has been criticised for overloading its traction control system, which is forced to work hard on slippery tracks particularly in the absence of lockers.

BYD Australia has already committed to upgrading the Shark 6’s 2500kg braked towing capacity to 3500kg in the coming months. Beyond this change, GoAuto understands that the additional enhancements previewed by the B5 are entering the pipeline for the popular PHEV ute.

Asked whether the B5’s lockers (and other tech) will be applied to the Shark 6 in its next update cycle, Mr Liu indicated that the group intends to circulate learnings rapidly across its model lines, no matter the sub-brand.

“It is true that we will be migrating all the successful technologies to each of our models. With all the feedback (having been received), we are definitely confident (that we will) make our product better and better. You can say that the Shark 6 is not the end of our pick-up series. It is only the start,” he said.

BYD Australia chief product officer Sajid Hasan confirmed that the Shark 6 would receive an update in 2026, and that the 3500kg towing bump would be “one” of the new features.

“We have an update to Shark 6 planned for 2026. We can’t say when yet that will be, but 3.5 tonne towing capacity is one of the updates. We have a few other things, as well, planned for that model,” said Mr Hasan.

A more minor update in August 2025 saw two new colours added to the Shark 6 lineup.