BYD Shark 6 DMO: strengths and weaknesses

With the introduction of the all-new BYD Shark 6 dual-mode off-road (DMO), BYD Cars Philippines has gained a strong contender in the local pick-up truck segment. 

As of this writing, it is one of the few plug-in hybrid (PHEV) nameplates currently available in the said segment. Plus, its PHEV powertrain is a good selling point, especially for the more environmentally conscious modern car buyer. 

But, the question now is: does the Shark 6 DMO have any particular strengths? Also, does it have any notable weaknesses prospective buyers should know about? Let’s find out here. 

Pros

Striking design

One key strength of the all-new BYD Shark 6 DMO is its striking design. 

From the front, it wears a very imposing fascia that’s complemented by a large BYD logo positioned in the middle of its equally large square-shaped grille. The aforementioned is surrounded by LED daytime running lamp strips that form an encompassing frame. The grille is also flanked by a pair of LED headlamp clusters and bordered from below by a chunky-looking front bumper. 

Capping the front end of the pickup truck is a relatively flat hood, which perfectly aligns with the window line and the cargo bed. It also comes with wide wheel arches and a lot of straight-cut body lines. The result is a boxy body shape that enhances the truck’s road presence. 

From the rear, the symmetrical but boxy design direction is continued by a pair of square-shaped LED taillights, as well as a rectangular and flat-looking tailgate. Added flair is added by a tailgate-mounted LED light bar, and a sturdy rear bumper provides more functionality. 

Completing the look of the truck is a set of 18-inch wheels. The top-spec Premium trim also comes with a sports bar and aluminum roof rails. 

Other notable exterior features of the BYD Shark 6 DMO include the following: 

• Front and rear fog lamps
• Bedliner 
• Rear windshield defogger
• Power-folding side mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Side mirror integrated turn signal lamps
• Automatic headlamp functionality
• Three power sockets (cargo bed)
• Cargo bed tie/anchor points

Moreover, the newly launched PHEV model offers a lot of road presence thanks to its large size. For reference, the BYD Shark 6 DMO is 5,457 millimeters (mm) long, 1,971 mm wide, and 1,925 mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 3,260 mm. 

Loads of creature comforts

Apart from having a very striking exterior, BYD also provided the Shark 6 DMO with a lot of creature comforts. Sure, it is specced to be a highly capable and tough pickup truck, but it s sheer amount of features will make it suitable as a cushy daily driver. 

For starters, its well-arranged dashboard was clad with plenty of soft-touch surfaces. The same goes for its interior door cards and other touch-points. Even the grab handles on the center console were rubberized for extra comfort. 

The model’s seats, on the other hand, are all clad in supple leather. The seats in the front come with six-way power-adjustability, and the rear seats get a reclining feature - a rarity in the segment. 

Exclusive for the driver is a 4-way adjustable lumbar support, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a chunky gear shift lever that’s comfortable to the grip. More ease of use is also provided by a push-to-start button, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an electronic parking brake, keyless entry, and an NFC card reader - among others. 

Everyone inside, on the other hand, is kept cool by a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The said system has rear-mounted vents, and it is able to ensure optimal air quality via its negative ion air purifier, particulate matter 2.5 air filter, and CN95 filter. 

With regard to its central infotainment system, the BYD nameplate comes with the brand’s signature 12.8-inch rotating screen. With a press of a button, the said display can change its orientation from portrait to landscape, providing a lot of versatility, especially for tech-oriented users. The driver, on the other hand, can easily view relevant details via a 10.25-inch liquid crystal display or a heads-up display.

Additionally, the model comes with a wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, 4G connectivity, and access to the BYD Cloud Service. Its main screen is likewise linked to an eight-piece speaker system. 

Last but not least for interior features, the Shark 6 DMO offers a lot of interior lighting. It has door panel lamps, front and rear map lamps, a foot well lamp, and a dedicated lighting fixture for the bed. 

Impressive performance

One of the biggest strengths of the BYD Shark 6 DMO is its powertrain. As mentioned above, it is a PHEV system, which is touted by the marque to provide responsive power and improved fuel efficiency. 

Making up the aforementioned PHEV system are two electric motors (front and rear), a lithium iron phosphate Blade battery, and a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. In total, the said system can generate up to 429 horsepower and 650 Newton-meters of torque, making the Shark 6 DMO one of the most potent mid-size pickup trucks in the market right now. 

Moreover, the PHEV system boasts a fast charging capability that can take battery levels from 30 to 80 percent in just 24 minutes. It also boasts a 100-kilometer electric-only range, a regenerative braking system, and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature. The V2L feature, of course, adds more practicality especially for users who want to use the BYD truck out on camping trips. 

For its off-roady bits, the BYD Shark 6 DMO boasts a generous ground clearance of 230 mm, a maximum water wading depth of 700 mm, and a decent approach angle of 31 degrees. It also utilizes a sturdy but highly specialized body-on-frame chassis that integrates the battery as a structural component, as well as several protective underbody plates. 

Its ride quality on or off-road, meanwhile, is ensured by double wishbones for the front and rear. Optimal traction in harsh terrain is ensured by a 4x4 system with terrain modes specifically for mud, sand, and gravel. 

An abundance of safety technologies

As established above, the BYD Shark 6 DMO will make for a cushy daily driver and a capable off-road. On top of those qualities, it also has loads of safety features. 

For its standard safety kit, it comes equipped with anti-lock braking, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree view camera, ISOFIX child seat anchors, tire pressure monitoring, hill-hold control, hill-descent control, anti-rollover control, distributed traction control system, auto brake hold, and a total of six airbags. 

The aforementioned are reinforced by an array of advanced driver-assist systems, which include: 

• Automatic emergency braking
• Predictive collision warning
• Lane departure warning
• Emergency lane keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear cross-traffic braking
• Blind-spot detection
• Adaptive cruise control

Accessible price point

Relative to the beefy output of its efficient PHEV powertrain, its array of safety and comfort features, and its off-road capability, the BYD Shark 6 DMO is a highly accessible lifestyle vehicle. 

For the unaware, the entry-level Advanced trim is priced at P2.098 million, while the top-spec Premium variant retails at P2.298 million. 

To put it into perspective, the most affordable version of the Ford Ranger Raptor starts at P2.345 million. The Toyota Hilux GR-S, meanwhile, currently has a starting price of P2.178 million. 

Cons

Relatively low payload capacity

While the BYD Shark 6 DMO has a lot of good qualities, it does have a weakness that buyers should be aware of. 

Specifically, it has a maximum payload capacity of 835 kilograms (kg). The aforementioned is a bit less compared to the one-ton payload capacity of other mid-size nameplates such as the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara, and the non-Raptor versions of the Ford Ranger. 

So, like the Ford Ranger Raptor, the BYD Shark 6 DMO is more of a lifestyle vehicle than a hauler. Regardless, its payload capacity still allows for carrying camping implements, a bunch of tools, or sports equipment. Plus, it has a towing capacity of 2,500 kg, which is more than enough for small trailers and even a small camper. 

BYD Sharp 6 DMO: specifications

Model	BYD Shark 6 DMO Premium
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	5,457x1,971x1,925
Wheelbase (mm)	3,260
Ground clearance (mm)	230
Wheel size	18-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Wireless smartphone charging pad Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning Power-adjust front seats Eight-piece speaker system Electronic parking brakes Rain-sensing wipers Auto-dimming rearview mirror 4G connectivity Voice Assistant NFC card reader Power-folding side mirrors
Infotainment system	12.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Five
Powertrain
Engine	1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Automatic
Horsepower	429
Torque	650 Nm
Hybrid system	Dual electric motors, Blade battery
Technology
Safety	Six airbags 360-degree view camera Parking sensors ISOFIX Tire pressure monitoring Anti-lock braking Hill-hold control Hill-descent control Anti-rollover control Distributed traction control system Auto brake hold
ADAS	Automatic emergency braking Predictive collision warning Lane departure warning Emergency lane keep assist Rear cross-traffic alert Rear cross-traffic braking Blind-spot detection Adaptive cruise control
Price	P2.298 million

Final thoughts

In summary, the BYD Shark 6 DMO is one of the most bang-for-the-buck pickup trucks in the market right now. It boasts a powerful but efficient hybrid powertrain, off-road capabilities, a lot of creature comforts, and loads of safety gear. 

With all the aforementioned, the BYD nameplate can serve as a great daily driver, a weekend getaway car, or even as an overlanding vehicle. 

It sounds good all in all, but folks who are seriously considering the BYD nameplate should give it a test drive first. Doing so, after all, will make for a more informed purchase in the end. 

Also read: 

BYD Cars PH unleashes all-new Shark 6 DMO

BYD opens Batangas dealership

Check out the BYD Seal's 2 available trims