One of the most anticipated new vehicle introductions here is the BYD Shark 6 DMO, the Chinese carmaker’s first pickup. As expected, this new BYD is an electrified model. For this comparo, we will be pitting this newcomer against the top-of-the-line variant of the best-selling pickup model in the country: the Toyota Hilux GR-S. It’s new tech versus traditional pickup in this face-off.
The Shark measures 5,457mm long, 1,971mm wide, and 1,925mm tall, making it 137mm longer, 49mm narrower, and 45mm taller than the Hilux GR-S. The BYD rides on a 3,260mm wheelbase, which is is 175mm greater between the axles than the Toyota. It’s equipped with 31.56-inch-diameter 265/65 R18 tires—a full inch larger than the 30.56-inch-diameter 265/65 R17 rubber of its Japanese competitor. The BYD pickup has a 230mm ground clearance, which is 17mm less than the Toyota truck.
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Here’s a little refresher on the pickups featured in this comparo: the BYD Shark 6 DMO is classified as a plug-in hybrid, but technically, it’s an EREV or an extended-range electric vehicle since its 181hp 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine acts as a generator to recharge the battery pack. What about the electric motors? The all-wheel-drive pickup has dual motors and a total system output of 430hp and 650Nm of torque. Earlier this month, we reported that the Shark 6’s LTO homologation papers list power output as just 201hp—this happens to be the power figure for the rear electric motor. Worry not, as there have been local Shark 6 sightings with the ‘DMO AWD’ badge at the rear.
BYD’s pickup has a claimed range of up to 800km and is capable of sprinting to 100kph in 5.7sec. It has a body-on-frame construction like other trucks, but gets an independent rear suspension setup instead of the usual solid rear axle.
The Toyota Hilux range stretches from the rear-wheel-drive commercial fleet variants all the way to more performance-oriented versions like the GR-S featured in this comparo. Under its hood resides a more powerful 224hp version of the Japanese carmaker’s familiar 2.8-liter turbodiesel unit. The Hilux GR-S also gets wide tracks and improved suspension with monotube shock absorbers. Other upgrades include disc brakes all around with GR brake calipers. As expected, it also gets GR-S-specific exterior and interior styling and trim upgrades.
Pricing for the BYD Shark 6 hasn’t been announced as of this writing, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it competes in the higher end of the midsize-pickup segment. The range-topping Toyota Hilux GR-S starts at P2,158,000.
While this isn’t exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, would you consider a BYD Shark 6 over a Hilux GR-S? Let us know in the comments.
