BYD Shark 6 vs Kia EV5
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.
Data checked: specs 20 Sep 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$55,900RRP
- cannot be matched: Rain-Sensing Wipers and Heated Front Seats not offered
$56,770RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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 Shark 6 & Kia EV5
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Shark 6 starts from $55,900 before on-road costs, while the Kia EV5 opens at $56,770. That makes the BYD Shark 6 the more affordable entry point by $870.
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 $62,447 respectively.
The Kia EV5 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The BYD Shark 6 does not: plug-in hybrids lost the fbt exemption on 1 april 2025.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Shark 6 and Kia EV5 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the BYD Shark 6 and 88% for the Kia EV5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD Shark 6, against 6 on the Kia EV5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control.
Recalls on our record
BYD Shark 6
- REC-006728 · published 21 Sep 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the spare wheel tray or lifter may have been incorrectly positioned.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
Kia EV5
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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
29.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 55kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 55kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
64.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Shark 6 features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV5 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 wireless charging and Dynaudio audio — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV5. The Kia EV5 counters with heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Shark 6 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia EV5 offers cloth & artificial leather.
Drivetrain
The BYD Shark 6 uses a Hybrid producing 321kW and 650Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout.
The Kia EV5 responds with a Electric making 160kW and 310Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The BYD Shark 6 has the clear power advantage at 321kW vs 160kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 29.6kWh (BYD Shark 6) vs 64.2kWh (Kia EV5), giving WLTP ranges of 100km and 400km. DC fast charging peaks at 55kW (BYD Shark 6) vs 150kW (Kia EV5).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Shark 6 measures 5,413mm long on a 3,260mm wheelbase, 798mm longer than the Kia EV5 at 4,615mm (2,750mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Shark 6 generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the BYD Shark 6 leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 300kg. That 2,200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.7m to 13.5m
Based on 13.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Shark 6) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia EV5). The Kia EV5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Shark 6 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia EV5 if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia EV5: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 72, but the BYD Shark 6 is $870 cheaper
The Kia EV5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 72), taking 3 of 6 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: performance (BYD Shark 6 ahead by 22), fuel economy (Kia EV5 ahead by 20), safety (Kia EV5 ahead by 10). The Kia EV5 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BYD Shark 6 and Kia EV5?
The BYD Shark 6 is the cheapest at $55,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV5 by $870.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Shark 6 uses the least fuel at 2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BYD Shark 6 and Kia EV5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Shark 6 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Shark 6 makes the most power at 321kW.
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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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