BYD Mako vs Ford Maverick: The Unibody Ute Showdown (What We Know So Far)

The BYD Mako has not launched yet, with an international debut expected in September 2026, so a final verdict against the Ford Maverick is not yet possible. Early reports describe a flex-fuel plug-in hybrid making around 175kW with roughly 100km of electric-only range, likely badged the Shark 5 in right-hand-drive markets. The Maverick is a proven unibody ute on sale now, with up to 1,814kg (4,000lb) towing. Until BYD publishes official numbers, every Mako figure below is an estimate, not a confirmed specification.

Important: Why This Is a Preview, Not a Final Comparison

BYD has confirmed the Mako name for South American markets, but the vehicle debuts in September 2026 and no owner's manual or official spec sheet exists yet. Reports also indicate it will likely wear the Shark 5 badge in Australia and Europe, and that BYD Australia is still assessing it for local release.

That means the Mako numbers here come from automotive press reporting, not from BYD's published data. The Ford Maverick and Fiat Toro figures, by contrast, are confirmed current specifications. We will update this guide with verified Mako numbers the moment they are released.

At a Glance: Three Unibody Utes Compared

Measurement	BYD Mako / Shark 5 (Expected)	Ford Maverick (2026, Confirmed)	Fiat Toro (2026, Confirmed)
Body type	Unibody, car-based	Unibody, car-based	Unibody, car-based
Powertrain	Flex-fuel PHEV, ~175kW (expected)	2.5L hybrid 142kW, or 2.0L EcoBoost 186kW	1.3L turbo flex 131kW + 48V, or 2.2L diesel
EV-only range	~100km (expected)	None (self-charging hybrid)	None
Drivetrain	2WD or AWD (expected)	FWD or AWD	FWD or 4x4 (diesel)
Max towing	To be confirmed	1,814kg (4,000lb) with tow pack	~400kg (882lb)
Max payload	To be confirmed	~680kg (1,500lb)	~1,000kg (2,205lb)
Length	To be confirmed	~5,070mm	4,915mm
Indicative price	Not announced	From ~US$28,000-30,000	From ~US$29,300 (Brazil)
Primary markets	South America (AU/EU as Shark 5, under review)	North America	South America only
Status	Launches September 2026	On sale now	On sale now

What Is the BYD Mako, and Why It Might Be the Shark 5

The Mako is BYD's second ute, positioned below the larger, ladder-frame Shark 6. Where the Shark 6 is a body-on-frame workhorse, the Mako is a car-based unibody design that prioritises ride comfort and everyday usability over heavy-duty off-road ability.

Its styling reportedly borrows from the Sealion 5 (also sold as the Song Pro) SUV, with familiar BYD headlights and grille treatment. Patent filings in Europe under the Shark 5 name suggest BYD will use that badge in right-hand-drive markets, so Australian buyers may never see the Mako name at all.

If you want to see how the established big brother performs on confirmed numbers, our breakdown of every BYD Shark 6 specification from the manual is a useful benchmark for what BYD's ute engineering already delivers.

Powertrains: PHEV vs Hybrid vs Flex-Fuel

This is the most important difference between the three, and where the Mako could genuinely stand apart.

• BYD Mako (expected): A flex-fuel plug-in hybrid making around 175kW, with a circa-100km electric-only range and a choice of two- or all-wheel drive. Reports also point to a flagship 1.5-litre PHEV variant producing up to 200kW in development.
• Ford Maverick: A standard 2.5L full hybrid producing 142kW (191hp) and 210Nm, paired with a Power-Split CVT and FWD or optional AWD. A 2.0L EcoBoost turbo with 186kW (250hp) and 376Nm and an 8-speed automatic is optional.
• Fiat Toro: A 1.3L Turbo 270 flex-fuel engine making 131kW (176hp) and 270Nm with a 48V mild-hybrid assist, or a 2.2L turbodiesel with AWD.

The key distinction: the Mako is the only one of the three that plugs in. A circa-100km EV range would let owners cover most daily driving on electricity alone, something neither the self-charging Maverick hybrid nor the mild-hybrid Toro can match. The Maverick counters with a proven, fuss-free hybrid that needs no charging at all.

Towing and Payload: The Numbers That Matter

For a working ute, towing and payload decide the purchase. Here the Maverick currently leads on confirmed figures.

• Maverick: Up to 1,814kg (4,000lb) braked towing with the 4K Tow Package, and up to 680kg (1,500lb) payload. It also includes a Class III receiver with both 4-pin and 7-pin connectors and an integrated trailer brake controller.
• Toro: A strong 1,000kg (2,205lb) payload but a modest 400kg (882lb) towing rating, which limits it for trailers and boats.
• Mako: Towing and payload are not yet confirmed. As a unibody PHEV positioned below the Shark 6, expect figures closer to the Maverick and Toro than to the 2,500kg-rated Shark 6.

Whatever ute you choose, setting it up correctly matters as much as the rating itself. Our guide on getting a BYD ute ready before you hitch a trailer covers weight distribution and wiring that apply across the range.

Price Expectations

The Mako has no announced pricing. As a guide, its rivals start in similar territory: the Maverick from roughly US$28,000 to US$30,000, and the Toro from around US$29,300 in Brazil.

BYD's pattern with the Shark 6 has been aggressive value pricing against established rivals, so a Mako priced to undercut the Maverick would fit the brand's strategy. Until BYD confirms numbers, treat any quoted Mako price as speculation.

Where Each One Is Sold (This Matters)

Availability is the catch that many comparison articles miss:

• Ford Maverick: A North American model. It is not sold new in Australia, so for Australian readers it is a reference point rather than a showroom rival.
• Fiat Toro: Limited to South American markets. Not available in Australia, the UK, or North America.
• BYD Mako: Launching first in South America, with right-hand-drive potential flagged for Australia and Europe as the Shark 5. Australian release is under assessment, not confirmed.

There is also a fourth contender on the horizon: Toyota's Corolla Cross-based ute, codenamed Project 150D, spotted testing as a sub-HiLux workhorse aimed at the Maverick. It remains in development with no confirmed specifications.

Who Each Ute Suits

The BYD Mako (Shark 5) could suit you if:

• You want plug-in hybrid efficiency with real electric-only range
• You do most of your driving in the city or suburbs and charge at home
• You like the idea of a smaller, easier-to-park ute below the Shark 6
• You can wait for the September 2026 launch and a confirmed Australian decision

The Ford Maverick suits you if:

• You are in North America and want a proven unibody ute available now
• You need genuine towing capability up to 1,814kg
• You prefer a self-charging hybrid with no charging routine
• You value factory trailer-tow equipment straight off the lot

The Fiat Toro suits you if:

• You are in a South American market where it is sold
• You prioritise payload and SUV-like comfort over heavy towing
• You want flex-fuel flexibility with ethanol infrastructure

Common Mistakes Buyers Make Right Now

• Treating Mako rumours as confirmed specs. Every Mako figure circulating today is an estimate. Wait for BYD's official sheet before making a buying decision.
• Assuming the Maverick is coming to Australia. It is a North American model with no confirmed Australian release. Australian buyers should watch for the Shark 5 instead.
• Expecting the Mako to tow like the Shark 6. A unibody PHEV positioned below the ladder-frame Shark 6 will almost certainly tow less than the 2,500kg flagship.
• Confusing the Mako's PHEV system with a pure EV. It is a flex-fuel plug-in hybrid with an engine, not a battery-only ute. The circa-100km range is electric-only, not total range.
• Comparing on price before launch. No Mako pricing has been announced. Rival pricing is only a rough guide.

On paper, the BYD Mako brings something neither rival offers: plug-in hybrid efficiency with around 100km of electric range in a compact unibody ute. The Ford Maverick answers with proven, available capability and class-leading towing for the segment, while the Fiat Toro leans on payload and comfort within South America.

But the honest answer to "is the Mako better than the Maverick?" is that we cannot say yet. The Mako has not launched, its specs are unconfirmed, and it may arrive in Australia as the Shark 5 if it arrives at all. Once BYD releases verified figures, this comparison will be updated with hard numbers.