PHEV ute comparison: what the numbers say in 2026
Plug-in hybrid utes are no longer a one-model curiosity. BYD, GWM and Ford are already in market, while JAC and Chery have published enough local data to deserve a place on the watchlist. This page compares the public figures without trying to crown a winner.
Available and near-launch PHEV utes
The table separates launch status and test-cycle labels because NEDC, WLTP and ADR figures are not directly interchangeable. Payload and towing are also affected by accessories, passengers, towball download and final local homologation.
Swipe or drag left and right to view the full detailed data.
| Model | Price basis | Power / torque | Battery | EV range | Fuel / range claim | Braked towing | Payload | Notable hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAC Hunter PHEV Reservations open; deliveries due mid/Q3 2026 |
Under $50,000 before on-road costs, announced |
360kW / 1000Nm 2.0L turbo petrol + dual motors |
31.2kWh LFP | About 100km claimed |
1.6L/100km; 1005km combined NEDC |
3500kg | 915kg | 4WD, front and rear diff locks, V2L, local validation program |
| BYD Shark 6 Premium On sale |
$57,900 before on-road costs |
321kW / 650Nm 1.5L turbo petrol + dual motors |
29.6kWh LFP | 100km NEDC |
2.0L/100km at 25-100% state of charge |
2500kg | 825kg reported baseline |
e-AWD, V2L, independent rear suspension |
| BYD Shark 6 Performance 2026 flagship arriving/rolling out |
$62,900 before on-road costs |
350kW / 700Nm 2.0L turbo petrol + dual motors |
29.6kWh LFP | 80km WLTP |
1.3L/100km; 640km combined WLTP/ADR references vary by listing |
3500kg | 725kg based on listed kerb/GVM data |
e-AWD, V2L, crawl mode, upgraded front motor |
| GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV On sale |
From about $59,990 before on-road costs; driveaway varies |
300kW / 750Nm 2.0L turbo petrol + hybrid system |
37.1kWh ternary lithium | 115km NEDC on current GWM AU page |
1.7L/100km; 1060km combined NEDC on current GWM AU page |
3500kg | 685kg | 4WD, multiple locking differentials, 50kW DC charging, V2L |
| Ford Ranger PHEV On sale |
$71,990-$86,990 launch MLP before on-road costs; offers vary |
207kW / 697Nm 2.3L EcoBoost + 75kW e-motor |
11.8kWh | 49km NEDC |
2.9L/100km combined claim |
3500kg | 800kg+ grade dependent |
Full-time 4WD, rear diff lock, Pro Power Onboard up to 6.9kW |
| Chery KP31 diesel PHEV ute Concept shown; Q4 2026 target |
Not confirmed | Not confirmed 2.5L turbo-diesel PHEV confirmed |
Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Claims focus on diesel efficiency, not final fuel figure | 3500kg target | 1000kg target | World-first diesel PHEV ute claim; production specs pending |
How to read the comparison
Capability is no longer the same story for every PHEV
Several models now meet the 3500kg towing benchmark, but payload varies sharply: around 685kg for Cannon Alpha PHEV, 725kg for Shark 6 Performance, 800kg+ for Ranger PHEV and 915kg announced for Hunter.
Battery size does not equal overall usefulness
GWM has the largest listed battery and longest EV claim, while Ford has the smallest battery but the strongest embedded worksite power story through Pro Power Onboard.
Price position will matter as much as headline specs
Hunter's announced sub-$50k entry price is a major value signal, but final driveaway pricing, grade equipment and early-owner reliability will decide whether the numbers hold up for real buyers.
Reviews and tools behind the table
Use these pages if you want to move from the market-level PHEV data into specific ute reviews, direct matchups or the broader shortlist tools.
Caveats before shortlisting
PHEV ute data is moving quickly. Some figures are official model-page specs, some are launch-announcement figures, and some are reputable media summaries of local homologation data.
Test cycles: NEDC usually reads more optimistic than WLTP/real-world driving. A 100km NEDC EV claim and an 80km WLTP EV claim should not be treated as a simple 20km gap.
Towing and payload: A 3500kg braked tow rating does not mean you can also use full payload at the same time. Gross combination mass, towball download, accessories and passengers can reduce usable capacity.
PHEV fuel claims: Low L/100km numbers assume charging. Buyers who rarely plug in, tow often or run highway-heavy routes should expect materially higher consumption.
Upcoming models: Hunter and Chery should be rechecked once final Australian grade walks, brochures and ADR documents are live. Early data is useful for context, not final buying advice.
Public data used
- Ford Australia Ranger PHEV and Ranger Hybrid variant specification pages.
- GWM Australia Cannon Alpha and dealer-published Cannon Alpha PHEV specification pages.
- RACV: 2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance and Cab-Chassis.
- CarExpert: 2026 BYD Shark 6 price and specs.
- CarExpert: 2026 JAC Hunter PHEV quick drive and specs.
- Carsales: 2026 JAC Hunter PHEV key details.
- Chery Australia: KP31 ute concept debut.