BYD Shark 6 vs Mazda BT-50
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Utes compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
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 29 Aug 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
- with the Mazda BT-50's standard kit: $55,900 (nothing to add)
$38,400RRP
- 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 & Mazda BT-50
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Price Breakdown
The BYD Shark 6 starts from $55,900 before on-road costs, while the Mazda BT-50 opens at $38,400. That makes the Mazda BT-50 the more affordable entry point by $17,500.
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 $42,240 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Shark 6 by roughly $7,940 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the BYD Shark 6 and Mazda BT-50 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the BYD Shark 6 and 86% for the Mazda BT-50.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD Shark 6, against 4 on the Mazda BT-50.
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
Mazda BT-50
- REC-006284 · published 3 Mar 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the left leaf spring bracket may have been insufficiently welded and could crack resulting in a loss of vehicle control.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-005070 · published 10 Mar 2022Due to a manufacturing issue, the transfer case blanking plug may not have been installed correctly during production.Year range on the notice: 2021
- REC-000899 · published 20 Jan 2021The rear seat belt pretensioner connector lock, may not have been installed correctly during vehicle assembly and will not tension properly.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2021
- 11 more on the model page.
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.
Feature Showdown
The BYD Shark 6 features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Mazda BT-50 gets a 7-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BYD Shark 6 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, V2L and Dynaudio audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mazda BT-50. The Mazda BT-50 counters with Apple CarPlay. 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 Mazda BT-50 offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the BYD Shark 6 and 1-zone in the Mazda BT-50.
Drivetrain
The BYD Shark 6 uses a Hybrid producing 321kW and 650Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout.
The Mazda BT-50 responds with a Diesel making 120kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels.
The BYD Shark 6 has the clear power advantage at 321kW vs 120kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BYD Shark 6 measures 5,413mm long on a 3,260mm wheelbase, 93mm longer than the Mazda BT-50 at 5,320mm (3,125mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Shark 6 generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Mazda BT-50 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.5m 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 12.5m 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
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $379/year for the BYD Shark 6 and $1,967/year for the Mazda BT-50. That is a $1,588 annual difference in favour of the BYD Shark 6.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Shark 6) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda BT-50). The BYD Shark 6 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BYD Shark 6 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mazda BT-50 if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (72 vs 70). The BYD Shark 6 and Mazda BT-50 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BYD Shark 6 will save you roughly $1,588 a year in fuel. The BYD Shark 6 adds peace of mind with a longer 6-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 Mazda BT-50?
The Mazda BT-50 is the cheapest at $38,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Shark 6 by $17,500.
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 Mazda BT-50 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda BT-50 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Shark 6 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
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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