The Toyota Hilux is one of the indestructible pickup trucks on the market that money can buy. It is the truck that proved its toughness since its inception in 1968 and has since evolved to match modern requirements, maintaining its old-school body-on-frame structure with 4x4 capabilities that can tackle any beaten path with ease. Recently, a new pickup from China has arrived in the battleground of mid-range pickup trucks, called the BYD Shark PHEV, unveiled recently for the Australian and Mexican markets, which not only has supreme off-road prowess but packs features and practicality that can give a serious run for the money of the Toyota Hilux and potentially lead the competition by higher margins. Today, we compare both pickups by their design, interiors and features, off-road dynamics, dimensions, practicality, safety, and engine options.

Exterior Design

BYD Shark PHEV

The BYD Shark PHEV has a typical boxy pick-up dual-cab silhouette, with C-shaped LED headlights connected with an LED light bar up front, and a huge BYD logo that covers almost the entire front grill. The skid plate sticks out of the front bumper to make the Shark look rugged from the front. The side profile doesn’t include much apart from squared-off wheel arches covered in rugged claddings, functional roof rails, and grab rails on the flatbed. The rear profile features connected LED taillights and a big embedded BYD logo on the lid.

Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux has a robust stance, with the front end featuring a sharp yet curvy design with a wider face, LED headlights, and a huge grill with chrome surrounds that enhance its robust look and give it a premium touch. From the side, it is offered in both single and dual-cab silhouettes in the UAE, with rugged cladding and side steps to facilitate entry and exit, making it practical yet tough-looking. It has wider rear-end LED taillights and a chrome rear bumper that blends robustness with a premium touch to enhance the look of the Hilux from the rear.

Interior Design and Features

BYD Shark PHEV

The Shark’s exterior design gives the vibe of an ordinary pickup truck, but the real spark lies inside its interior. The well-laid-out dashboard with orange accents on the AC vents and orange stitching on the all-black leatherette trim gives the Shark a premium yet vibrant interior experience compared to the basic interiors of other pickups. To spice things up, it features a quirky steering wheel with buttons to control the 10.25” instrument cluster behind it. For interior functionality and entertainment, there is a 12.8” infotainment screen that can be rotated horizontally and vertically as per your preference.

Toyota Hilux

The Hilux’s interior is well laid out with a black theme equipped with basic amenities. The seats are covered in black fabric upholstery, with an option of a 2-seat layout with the single-cab and a 4-seat layout with the dual-cab design. For functionality, it has an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with knobs and buttons for convenience and analog dials with MID as the driver’s display. Overall, the Toyota Hilux interior is quite basic compared to the tech-loaded interior of the BYD Shark but is easy to maintain and use for a wider audience.

Off-Road Dynamics

BYD Shark PHEV

The DMO Super Hybrid Off-road Platform, a cornerstone of the BYD Shark PHEV, represents a groundbreaking advancement in automotive technology. It harmoniously blends robust off-road capability and safety features with SUV comfort, all while achieving remarkable energy efficiency. This innovative platform integrates several cutting-edge components, including a hybrid-focused non-load-bearing frame, the world's inaugural longitudinal EHS drive assembly, Cell to Chassis (CTC) technology, a rear-wheel drive assembly tailored for pickup trucks, and double-wishbone independent suspension at both the front and rear. These elements work in perfect harmony to deliver a superior balance of performance and comfort.

Toyota Hilux

With the IMV frame structure at its core, the Hilux has set new standards in off-road performance. It boasts an unparalleled water-wading capacity of 700mm, allowing it to navigate through challenging terrains with ease. Its exceptional wheel articulation and the inclusion of an Electronic diff-lock provide remarkable off-road capability, even in the toughest conditions, while also enhancing fuel efficiency. This aligns with Toyota’s “customer first” philosophy—truly understanding and meeting customers' expectations by rigorously testing and driving on diverse local roads to experience and perfect its multifunctional features. The Hilux is indeed a comprehensive package, combining renowned ruggedness, recreational versatility, performance, responsiveness, and safety.

Dimensions and Practicality

BYD Shark PHEV

In terms of dimensions, the Shark is slightly larger than its rival, measuring 5,457mm in length, 1,971mm in width, 1,925mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 3,260mm. Regarding practicality, apart from the spacious interior, the Shark has a loading capacity of 835kg.

Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux single-cab is 5,325mm in length, 1,815mm in width, and 1,795mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,085mm. In comparison, the dual-cab Hilux is 5,325mm in length, 1,855mm in width, and 1,815mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 3,085mm. This makes the Hilux a bit shorter than the Shark, but the Hilux looks more substantial and has a similar loading capacity of 835kg.

Safety

BYD Shark PHEV

The BYD Shark PHEV places supreme importance on safety. Featuring an ultra-safe Blade Battery and a high-strength steel frame integrated through CTC technology, it offers robust protection. The Blade Battery serves as both an energy source and a structural component, providing multi-layered defense for both the battery and the vehicle. Additionally, a 22% increase in body torsional rigidity significantly enhances handling and stability, ensuring reliability even on challenging off-road terrain.

Toyota Hilux

Safety is a top priority for Toyota, and the Hilux exemplifies this commitment with its advanced safety features across all variants. Equipped with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist System, and Hill-Start Assist Control, the Hilux ensures safe driving in any road condition, making it a highly desirable vehicle. Every variant includes features such as a reverse camera, clearance sonar, backup sonar, and seven SRS airbags. Additionally, Downhill Assist Control and Vehicle Stability Control provide further reassurance, ensuring drivers experience both the thrill and joy of driving one of the safest vehicles Toyota offers.

Engine Options

BYD Shark PHEV

Under the bonnet of the Shark is a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine blended with dual electric motors, where the front motor makes 228hp and 310Nm and the rear motor produces 201hp and 340Nm, resulting in a combined output of 435hp. This powerhouse helps the Shark do a 0-100km sprint in just 5.7 seconds. If run only on electric power, the Shark can achieve a range of 100km, and if run on combined power, it can provide a whopping 840km range. The Shark also offers a Vehicle To Load (VTOL) option, allowing the dual-motor setup to function as a charging station for your electric appliances when the vehicle is stationary.

Toyota Hilux

In the UAE, Toyota offers a 2.4-liter diesel engine pushing 147hp and 400Nm of torque and a 4.0-liter V6 pushing 235hp and 375Nm of torque, with an option of a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The diesel engine provides a mileage of 10.8kmpl, while the petrol engine offers around 8kmpl.

Both the BYD Shark PHEV and the Toyota Hilux are strong contenders in the mid-range pickup segment, each with unique strengths. The Hilux, known for its toughness and reliability since 1968, continues to impress with its classic design and exceptional off-road capabilities. Its focus on safety and practicality makes it a dependable choice. Conversely, the BYD Shark introduces a plug-in hybrid system with innovative features like the ultra-safe Blade Battery, an advanced hybrid platform, and a tech-rich interior, combining modernity with impressive off-road performance. Ultimately, the choice between them depends on whether one values the Hilux’s proven ruggedness or the Shark’s cutting-edge technology, as both offer excellent options tailored to diverse needs and preferences.