BYD Shark 6 vs GWM Cannon Alpha

The BYD Shark 6 starts from $55,900 before on-road costs, while the GWM Cannon Alpha opens at $52,990. That makes the GWM Cannon Alpha the more affordable entry point by $2,910.

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 $61,490 and $58,289 respectively.

The BYD Shark 6 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The GWM Cannon Alpha, as a petrol model, does not qualify.

Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Shark 6 by roughly $10,790 in fuel alone.

Both the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the BYD Shark 6 and 84% for the GWM Cannon Alpha.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The GWM Cannon Alpha packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 4 in the BYD Shark 6.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control.

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.

The BYD Shark 6 features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the GWM Cannon Alpha gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The BYD Shark 6 stands out with V2L that you will not find on the GWM Cannon Alpha. The GWM Cannon Alpha counters with power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

The BYD Shark 6 uses a Hybrid producing 321kW and 650Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds.

The GWM Cannon Alpha responds with a 2.4L 4-cylinder Turbo Diesel making 135kW and 480Nm, paired to a 9-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.

The BYD Shark 6 has the clear power advantage at 321kW vs 135kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Shark 6 is 4.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The BYD Shark 6 measures 5,457mm long on a 3,260mm wheelbase, 12mm longer than the GWM Cannon Alpha at 5,445mm (3,350mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the GWM Cannon Alpha generally means more rear legroom.

For towing, the GWM Cannon Alpha leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $379/year for the BYD Shark 6 and $2,537/year for the GWM Cannon Alpha. That is a $2,158 annual difference in favour of the BYD Shark 6.

Estimated annual total: $379 (BYD Shark 6) vs $2,537 (GWM Cannon Alpha). The BYD Shark 6 saves you roughly $2,158 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.

Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Shark 6) vs 7 years / 999,999km (GWM Cannon Alpha). The GWM Cannon Alpha has longer coverage.