BYD Shark 6 pricing for Australia: Confirmed New Zealand costs point to absolute bargain for plug-in hybrid Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival

Pricing for the BYD Shark 6 has been confirmed in New Zealand, with the across-the-ditch RPP pointing to the game-changing ute being an absolute bargain in Australia.

BYD in Australia is yet to confirm local pricing in Australia, but has suggested it will be around $60K. And New Zealand pricing appears to add real weight to that suggestion.

Across the ditch, the Shark 6 will list at NZD$69,990 for the single-grade Premium example of the plug-in hybrid ute.

A straight currency conversion would see the BYD Shark 6 list at $63,265 in Australia – but that could be just the beginning. In New Zealand, BYD is imported by Ateco, a large distributor that also exists in Australia (think Ram Trucks, LDV, Renault and Maserati).

But in Australia, a company called EVDirect is responsible for BYD, and it is expected to be even more aggressive, with the company suggesting the Shark 6 could begin below $60k before on-road costs.

Like New Zealand, that would net you a highly-specced ute, with the Shark 6 arriving with a 15.6-inch central touchscreen with portrait/landscape viewing options, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless device charging, head-up display, powered front seats that are both heated and cooled, an eight-speaker stereo, and more.

That level of specification makes it an almost-match for the Ford Ranger Platinum, with the Blue Oval's ute costing $87,957, albeit drive-away.

While the specification might be similar, the powertrains couldn't be more different, with the BYD ditching the diesel so common in Australia's utes in favour of a 1.5-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual electric motors to total 321kW and 650Nm. Big power, but not so big towing, with the Shark 6 limited to 2500kg braked.

With tank and battery combined, BYD says the all-wheel-drive PHEV ute will deliver a total claimed driving range of 800km.

While pricing is yet to be confirmed, EVDirect CEO David Smitherman has said the Shark 6 has “specifically made and tested on our roads, for our roads”.

“It’s built for Australian demands with its spacious interior and sporty drive, showcasing versatility to suit adventurers, tradies and of course families,” he says.

“Importantly, it has incredibly low ongoing running costs as it toggles between pure EV and Hybrid formats, which in today’s economic climate is a genuine consideration for customers.”