First Drive: Can the BYD Shark make waves in the pick-up market?
BYD is taking on established pick-up trucks with a powerful plug-in hybrid offering, but can the Shark deliver the best of both worlds?
What is it?
The Shark is aiming to take on the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, having already proved massively popular in other global markets – especially in Australia, where it is the best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle on the roads.
But does the Shark have what it takes to survive in choppy British waters? We’ve been driving it to find out.
What’s new?
From a buyer’s perspective, the competitive six-year or 93,750-mile warranty is likely to appeal compared to its main rivals.
What’s under the bonnet?
Using EV power only, the BYD has an impressive claimed range of 55 miles, thanks to its 32.2kWh battery, while DC charging at up to 55kW allows the battery to charge from 30 to 80 per cent in as little as 21 minutes.
What’s it like to drive?
On tarmac, however, things were less impressive. Despite double-wishbone suspension, the ride feels a touch agricultural around town, with bumps and potholes making themselves felt from the cabin. It does settle down at higher speeds, but the Shark never quite delivers the refinement that BYD will have been hoping for.
How does it look?
Our test car, finished in bold Sunrise Orange, certainly looked aggressive with a broad stance, high bonnet and chunky front end. The black bumpers are another nice touch, contributing to an incredibly rugged-looking truck.
What’s it like inside?
Up front, a 15.6-inch central touchscreen dominates the dashboard, although a few more physical buttons certainly would not go amiss!
What’s the spec like?
When it comes to the pick-up truck nitty-gritty, the Shark offers a 790kg payload, which falls short of the Ford Ranger’s 1,000kg, while its 2,500kg towing limit is also 1,000kg lower.
Verdict
Overall, the Shark is a very welcome addition to the pick-up truck market. Off-road, it is genuinely impressive, and while its on-road performance may not be able to hold up its end of the bargain, there is still a lot to like about the BYD.
Its plug-in hybrid powertrain offers a useful electric-only range, while the spacious cabin and generous standard equipment make it a compelling option in a competitive space.