I must admit, I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about the BYD Shark 6. A plug-in hybrid pickup truck? It challenged my idea of what a rugged utility truck should be. After all, electric drivetrains are still relatively new and often perceived as fragile technology. Pickup trucks are put in situations where none of its parts can afford to be fragile. In addition to this, diesel engines have been at the heart of the world’s most durable and reliable trucks for over a century. It seemed to me like messing with something tried and proven would have a lower chance of success. So when BYD handed me the keys to the Shark 6 DMO, the Philippines’ first plug-in hybrid electric pickup, I was eager to be proven wrong.

Over two days, I joined a convoy snaking through the busy streets of Manila, through the provincial roads of Pampanga, and Zambales, culminating in the very scenic Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem, Pangasinan. The route promised highways, narrow roads, and light off-roading, which would be a great test for a pickup claiming to redefine the segment.

Sliding into the Shark 6’s cabin, I immediately felt a sense of tranquility that I’m not accustomed to when it comes to typical pickups. No vibrations. No diesel clatter. Only silence. Even when the turbocharged 1.5 liter, four-cylinder gas engine kicked in to charge the battery or offer an additional push, the transition between electric and gasoline power was so smooth I had to glance at the dashboard to confirm the engine was running.

Another aspect that took me by surprise is how instantly available the Shark 6’s electric torque thrust is. Floor the accelerator, and the pickup lunges forward with an immediacy that left me grinning, and to be honest, a little white-knuckled. Get used to the addicting lunge, and overtaking on highways becomes effortless. Where a typical diesel pickup would downshift and roar, the Shark 6 simply surges.

The torque isn’t overwhelming, but it demands respect. We’re talking about a combined torque output of 650-Nm accompanied by almost 430-bhp coming from its dual electric motor setup. BYD even claims that the Shark 6 achieves 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds — a claim I fully believe.

Daang Kalikasan’s loose gravel, shallow river crossings, and mild inclines were no match for the Shark 6. Its intelligent all-wheel drive system made short work of the terrain, and its fully-independent double-wishbone suspension setup on the front and back absorbed bumps and ruts better than any other pickup I’ve experienced. To make things even more convenient, its 360-degree camera with a see-through view to the Shark 6’s underside made navigating tight trails a breeze.

But here’s the catch: as good as the Shark 6 is at handling mild off-roading, I wouldn’t classify it as a hardcore adventurer. While it does come with terrain modes such as mud, sand, and snow, the lack of low-range gearing and locking differentials won’t match the precision and control offered by mechanical systems in the most demanding off-road conditions. The Shark 6 is more than enough for weekend warriors tackling light trails. But for rock-crawling or deep ruts? It might be better to stick to purpose-built pickups.

At Mangatarem River Park, the Shark 6’s party trick stole the show. Using its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system, the BYD Shark turns into a mobile power station. The folks at Overland Kings showed us a camping set up for the Shark 6 that wouldn’t have been possible on typical 4x4s. Portable air-conditioners whirred, speakers blared, and even a mini fridge hummed — all powered by the truck’s battery and the Shark’s various 220-volt power outlets. No clunky inverters, no gas-guzzling generators. Just plug and play.

Here’s another aspect where the BYD Shark 6 DMO shines. During our entire trip, the Shark 6’s 800-km combined range meant we stopped only for restroom breaks, not fuel. Since you can switch between hybrid and battery modes, you can save even more fuel depending on the situation. Here’s an example: for uphill climbs, we used battery power exclusively, since this would typically be a huge fuel drain on diesel powered pickups. And on the way down, we used the Shark’s regenerative braking tech to get some energy back to charge the battery. We charged the Shark’s battery at the hotel at the end of the day; and by the time we looped back to Manila at the end of our journey, the fuel gauge still read half-full.

The Shark 6 DMO Premium’s P2,298,000 price tag places it in Ford Ranger Raptor territory — a truck with a cult following among off-roaders and 4×4 enthusiasts. While the BYD Shark outshines the Raptor in tech and refinement, it doesn’t quite match the Raptor’s proven rugged pedigree. At least, not yet. Then there’s the reliability question. Diesel engines are battle-tested; hybrid engines in pickups are uncharted waters. BYD’s 6-year / 150,000-km warranty eases concerns, but for buyers eyeing decades-long ownership, the gamble remains.

The BYD Shark 6 DMO’s refinement, tech, comfort, and efficiency are undeniable. It offers a glimpse into a future where pickups are as quiet as they are powerful. For city driving, weekend glamping, or daily errands, it’s a revelation, and it’s exciting to think what the future of pickups bring to the industry. If the BYD Shark 6 DMO is any indication of what lies ahead, then it’s a bright future indeed.