BYD’s New Ute Hits 5 Stars in Crash Test But Not All Is Perfect

BYD’s charge into the Australian market continues at full throttle, with the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute securing a coveted five-star ANCAP safety rating. This makes it one of only four utes to achieve the top score under ANCAP’s latest, most rigorous testing protocols. But while the Shark 6 is proving to be a serious contender in the electrified ute space, its safety assessment did uncover a few concerns worth discussing.

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Breaking Down the Scores

The BYD Shark 6 performed strongly across the board in ANCAP’s four assessment categories:

• 85% in Adult Occupant Protection – placing it ahead of market leaders like the Ford Ranger.
• 87% in Child Occupant Protection – slightly amended due to last-minute complications with its Child Presence Detection (CPD) system.
• 74% in Vulnerable Road User Protection – equal to the Mitsubishi Triton but trailing behind the GWM Cannon Alpha (82%) and JAC T9 (87%).
• 86% in Safety Assist – a solid performance that underlines BYD’s commitment to advanced driver assistance technologies.

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A Five-Star Performer – With Caveats

While the Shark 6 ticks many safety boxes, its CPD system fell short of expectations. Designed to detect the presence of a child in the rear seats and activate the air-conditioning to cool the cabin if necessary, ANCAP determined that the system did not meet its functional requirements. This led to a zero score in that specific test, impacting the vehicle’s otherwise impressive child protection rating.

ANCAP also flagged concerns about the ute’s substantial kerb weight of 2710kg and its large, blocky front fascia. These factors contributed to a full eight-point penalty in the Mobile Protection Deformable Barrier (MPDB) test, which assesses vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility. While the Shark 6 offers excellent protection for its occupants, its size and weight pose an increased risk to other road users in a collision.

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Where It Excels and Where It Falls Short

The Shark 6’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system received praise for its strong forward performance, but its rear detection capabilities were only rated as ‘marginal.’ While this doesn’t drastically affect the overall safety rating, it does highlight an area for improvement, particularly in urban settings where reversing safety is crucial.

Despite these drawbacks, the ute is a compelling option for individual buyers and fleet operators. ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg noted that “with five of BYD’s current local models now earning top ANCAP safety ratings, it’s evident that new manufacturers are prioritising safety as they enter the market to align with consumer demands.”

Challenging the Dominance of the Ranger and HiLux

BYD and its Australian distributor, EVDirect, have high hopes for the Shark 6. With an emphasis on five-star safety, the company specifically targets fleet buyers, hoping to shake up a market dominated by the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. Given the ute’s electrified credentials and solid safety scores, it’s poised to be an attractive alternative for businesses looking to transition to cleaner vehicles without sacrificing utility.

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BYD New Zealand general manager Warren Willmot is equally optimistic, stating that “the Shark 6 ticks all the boxes regarding available features, benefits, and now top-of-the-line safety standards, making it an even more desirable vehicle for New Zealand consumers.”

Final Thoughts

The BYD Shark 6 is undeniably an exciting new entry in the Australian ute market. Its five-star ANCAP rating solidifies its position as a strong and safe option for buyers, even as its weight and rear AEB limitations raise some concerns. With a growing number of electrified utes entering the scene, competition is heating up – and the Shark 6 has thrown down the gauntlet.

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For fleet managers and eco-conscious tradies looking for a plug-in hybrid ute that doesn’t compromise on safety, the Shark 6 is certainly worth considering. The question now is: can it truly take on the Australian legends, the Ranger and HiLux? Only time will tell, but it’s clear that BYD isn’t just dipping its toes into the market – it’s diving in headfirst.