{"id":170818,"date":"2025-12-06T13:33:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-06T13:33:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/170818\/"},"modified":"2025-12-06T13:33:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T13:33:13","slug":"the-byd-shark-6-is-the-best-new-vehicle-of-the-year-driven-car-guide-2025-nz-car-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/170818\/","title":{"rendered":"The BYD Shark 6 is the best new vehicle of the year: DRIVEN Car Guide 2025 NZ Car of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

BYD Shark 6 chosen as Overall Winner from 9 Category contenders.
\nJudges praised its intelligent hybrid technology and V2L power abilities.
\nSecond win in a row for BYD, following the Sealion 6 in 2024.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0BYD Shark 6<\/a> is the Overall Winner in the DRIVEN Car Guide<\/a> 2025 New Zealand Car of the Year<\/a> awards.<\/p>\n

\"BYD
\nDMO hybrid powertrain is the key to Shark’s eco-cred and versatility.<\/p>\n

Yes, you\u2019re remembering correctly: this is the second win in a row for BYD, with the Sealion 6 picking up our big prize<\/a> in 2024. While it\u2019s rare for the same brand to score a double, it also makes perfect sense in this case.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s much to admire about the Sealion 6<\/a> SUV, but in 2024 we especially praised its dual-motor intelligent (DM-i) \u201csuper hybrid\u201d system that paired a large plug-in battery with a backup petrol engine, meaning it could serve as a zero-emissions EV all week, but still banish range anxiety with 1000km-plus (depending on model) from a full tank in hybrid mode.<\/p>\n


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The Shark 6<\/a> uses similar technology to redefine the enormously popular ute segment in New Zealand. Its dual motor off-road<\/a> (DMO) powertrain combines a plug-in battery with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and AWD.<\/p>\n

\"BYD
\nShark 6’s powertrain technology allows you to make the most of its 80km-plus EV range.<\/p>\n

Think of the Shark 6 as an EV first: you can DC fast-charge the battery at public stations if required, allowing you to make the most of its 80-100km EV range. It\u2019s almost always running in electric-drive, the petrol engine acting mainly as a backup generator. All-in, the Shark 6 can travel 800km on a full charge\/tank.<\/p>\n

You can just drive and let the vehicle work out how best to run, but BYD also allows you manage the power by setting the desired state of charge from 25-75%.<\/p>\n

\"BYD
\nCabin is more luxury-SUV than ute, but it’s durable nonetheless.<\/p>\n

The electricity is not just there to drive the wheels. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality allows the Shark 6 to provide six individual power outlets (three in the tray, two in the cabin and another via an adaptor from the external charge port). Even if the battery is near-depleted, you can still run the petrol engine as a generator, lock up the vehicle and make full use of the Shark 6 as a power station for work or play. It\u2019s incredibly versatile.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a very satisfying vehicle to drive. It\u2019s one of the most powerful utes on the market, with a combined output of 321kW (for context, a Ford Ranger Raptor V6 has 292kW), yet what\u2019s most impressive is the smooth performance and assured on-road handling.<\/p>\n


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\"BYD
\nShark 6 pushes the boundaries of its segment forward – exactly what a COTY is supposed to do.<\/p>\n

The Shark 6 doesn\u2019t claim to be the most capable 4×4 vehicle, or the best at towing: it doesn\u2019t quite have the ground clearance of a traditional ute and the more car-like rear suspension (partly what gives it such good handling) limits axle articulation.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s still a great all-rounder, the EV drivetrain doing clever things with the traction control off-tarmac, and the vehicle offering a useful 2.5-tonne tow rating. It does what most people need a vehicle like this to do, with a staggeringly low emissions profile. It\u2019s the no-guilt ute.<\/p>\n

A Car of the Year is supposed to push the boundaries and give consumers something genuinely new to think about. BYD Shark 6: mission accomplished. The fact it\u2019s achieved with a fully loaded Premium model, at a $69,990 price that makes some rival models look ludicrously expensive, makes this a no-brainer.<\/p>\n


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