‘Works like a truck, drives like a car’

RADAR RD6 blurs lines between EV, SUV, and Pickup utility

The world of utility vehicles is changing fast, and that point was made very clear during a recent exclusive test drive of the new RADAR RD6 at the R33 Driftrack in Pampanga. For years, the mantra for pickups has been simple: rugged capability first, everything else pretty much comes in second. The RD6, however, seems determined to throw that rulebook out the window.

The RD6 isn’t just an electrified pickup; it’s a genre-bender. While rugged capability goes without saying, tucked beneath its versatile shell is a unibody chassis and four-wheel independent suspension—features you’d typically find in an SUV, or even a sedan. This unconventional composition pays dividends the moment you hit the road, delivering results that go beyond the performance given by its electrified powertrain. During slalom maneuvers and speed bump tests, the fully electric RD6 Econ and the plug-in hybrid RD6 EM-P 4WD exhibited an unexpected level of car-like balance, stability, and precision.

Putting the variants through straight-line runs was particularly eye-opening—not just because of how instantaneous the power delivery is, but especially with how it decelerates and comes to a complete stop: promptly and stably, as if halting a much lighter vehicle.

The RD6 also proved its worth in agility. The test program included a tight, gated obstacle course that immediately put the truck’s maneuverability to the test. Despite its size, the RD6 demonstrated a remarkably small turning radius and precise movement, navigating the narrow gates and sharp turns with ease and without the need for backing-up. It was as if you were driving a much smaller vehicle. Aside from targeting those who want or need a pick-up without the sensation of driving one, all these attributes now become a compelling argument for fleet users, too, adding to the core benefits of quiet operation, reduced maintenance, and enhanced fuel efficiency.

As Franz Decloedt, Radar Brand Head, succinctly put it, “The RD6 is much more than just an electrified pickup. It represents a new, practical direction for EVs and PHEVs, combining genuine capability and innovative technology with the real-world comfort and usability that traditional pickups simply cannot match.” With generally positive early impressions, the RADAR RD6 appears poised to appeal to a broad market, from weekend warriors who dare to integrate the RD6 with their respective lifestyles, to corporate users seeking electrified efficiency and reliability. The new generation of pickups has definitely arrived, and it doesn’t even drive like one.