BYD M9 vs Hyundai Staria-Load Electric
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
BYD M9
From $72,990
People Mover
Plug-in Hybrid
Electric Motor
218kW
—
ANCAP: no data
470L
Hyundai Staria-Load Electric
From $70,990
Van
Electric
Electric Motor
160kW
—
ANCAP: no data
—
BYD M9: we're still completing height, turning circle and fuel consumption.
Hyundai Staria-Load Electric: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h, warranty and energy consumption.
Blank cells below mean we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the BYD M9 & Hyundai Staria-Load Electric
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Price Breakdown
The BYD M9 starts from $72,990 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric opens at $70,990. That makes the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric the more affordable entry point by $2,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $80,289 and $78,089 respectively.
The Hyundai Staria-Load Electric currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The BYD M9 does not: plug-in hybrids lost the fbt exemption on 1 april 2025.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
36.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 73kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 73kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
84kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 350kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 350kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD M9 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD M9 stands out with panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD M9 gets genuine leather upholstery while the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the BYD M9 and 1-zone in the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric.
Drivetrain
The BYD M9 runs a pure electric powertrain producing 218kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through a 1 spd auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Hyundai Staria-Load Electric counters with its electric setup making 160kW and 350Nm, paired to a single speed reduction gear driving the front wheels.
The BYD M9 has the clear power advantage at 218kW vs 160kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 36.6kWh (BYD M9) vs 84kWh (Hyundai Staria-Load Electric), giving WLTP ranges of 145km and 450km. DC fast charging peaks at 73kW (BYD M9) vs 350kW (Hyundai Staria-Load Electric).
Space & Comfort
The BYD M9 measures 5,145mm long on a 3,045mm wheelbase, 108mm shorter than the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric at 5,253mm (3,273mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.0m diameter
Average
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD M9 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Staria-Load Electric if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Staria-Load Electric takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD M9 and Hyundai Staria-Load Electric?
The Hyundai Staria-Load Electric is the cheapest at $70,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD M9 by $2,000.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BYD M9 and Hyundai Staria-Load Electric carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Staria-Load Electric has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD M9 makes the most power at 218kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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