First Drive: Can the 2025 BYD Shark 6 PHEV make me ditch diesel?

The BYD Shark 6 from the POV of a diesel driver

Diesel has been a constant presence since my childhood.

When the time came that I could buy my own vehicle, a diesel was the logical choice. I knew my way around them as I grew up around these engines because my grandfather did have his own small auto shop. From our family’s Ford Fiera that ran on an Isuzu C240 engine to the jeepneys and NLEX tow-ins he serviced (we used to live near the expressway), diesel was our way.

Electrification is changing all that, though. Electric motors have torque that can far surpass diesels and do it without (or with very few) emissions.

BYD isn’t the first to put a hybrid pick-up on sale in the Philippines (that distinction goes to Foton) but the Shark 6 DMO is the first PHEV in the pick-up truck class here. Can the Shark impress enough to convince me to shake my preference for diesel? 

After spending some time with the Shark 6 in Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Zambales, including Daan Kalikasan, there are 5 things that stood out to me as a trad diesel driver. 

Smooth operation

These PHEVs offer very little to no vibration at all. Stepping out from my diesel vehicle and stepping into the BYD Shark 6 DMO gave me the feeling that this PHEV had its ignition (or lack thereof) turned off the whole time. Honestly, it’s kind of odd during the first few hours of driving the Shark 6 without the clatter and vibration I was so used to with the diesel.

Instant delivery

I think daily drivers of diesel-powered vehicles would agree when I say this: we are accustomed to the gradual build-up of torque when trying to pull away. This is especially true for drivers of older diesels, even with the benefit of a turbo.

The DMO PHEV delivers instant, neck-snapping torque from its electric motors, resulting in significantly faster acceleration, especially from a standstill. For me, it’s comparable to overtaking while riding a literbike (1,000cc) on the expressway.

We diesel drivers will experience a level of throttle response that we’re not used to, making city driving and overtaking significantly quicker. If you’re not ready for it -and for lack of a better term- nakakalula.

It’s smart

Coming from the diesel world, we’re not that familiar yet with smart features on our vehicles. Yes, there are already many diesel vehicles with smart technology (like the X5 xDrive I drove during the Philippine Loop adventure last year), but compared to my old-school diesel, the BYD Shark 6 DMO is worlds apart.

The DiPilot smart driving aids do work well, and I found myself maximizing those features (e.g. adaptive cruise) on the highway. When going off-road, I can just leave the adjusting to driving on different terrains and road conditions to the vehicle, ensuring constant traction and proper braking so I can just focus on the road and the driving. I won’t be surprised if the BYD Shark 6 DMO can drive on its own someday.

No need to fill up (as much)

When on a long drive in my diesel SUV, stopping at a filling station meant two things: to empty our bladders and fill up on diesel. During our Shark 6 drive from Porac to Clark, then to Daang Kalikasan in Pangasinan, we were only stopping to empty our bladders and not the latter.

Thanks to the combined range of at least 800 kilometers in one top-up and one full charge, you’re not popping that fuel door very often. If anything, you can open the charging door and top up the battery instead. And with the engine serving to recharge the battery while on the go and even drive the wheels only at higher speeds, I can save on fuel since the pickup can cover long distances as long as it has sufficient charge.

Powerbank on wheels

The ability to use the BYD Shark 6 DMO’s battery as a mobile power source is quite a unique feature, especially when going off-grid car camping.

This allows for powering tools, appliances, or even camping equipment, which is something a traditional diesel SUV or pickup cannot do without the help of a voltage inverter or portable generator set.

Why it’s new to me? Because this added utility expands the vehicle’s functionality beyond transportation. It can be a power station for leisurely activities and even for emergencies if need be.

There are more attributes that we appreciate, but we’ll get to those later on in the review. But for me as a traditional diesel driver, the BYD Shark 6 was a completely new experience. The smart driving and terrain modes, combined with the impressive 360-degree camera system, eliminated the need for manual interventions, especially during off-road maneuvers.

With its 800-kilometer range, I’m confident this pickup could handle trips to remote, off-grid locations, eliminating the need for a separate generator and fuel jerry cans.