Peugeot 408 vs BYD Shark 6
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Peugeot 408 starts from $57,990 before on-road costs, while the BYD Shark 6 opens at $55,900. That makes the BYD Shark 6 the more affordable entry point by $2,090.
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 $63,789 and $61,490 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 Peugeot 408, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Shark 6 by roughly $4,520 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The BYD Shark 6 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Peugeot 408. Adult occupant protection scored 79% for the Peugeot 408 and 85% for the BYD Shark 6.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Peugeot 408 packs more ADAS features with 5 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.
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 usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Peugeot 408 features a 10-inch touchscreen paired with a 10-inch digital dash, while the BYD Shark 6 gets a 12.8-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Peugeot 408 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, panoramic roof, power tailgate and Focal audio that you will not find on the BYD Shark 6. The BYD Shark 6 counters with Apple CarPlay and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Peugeot 408 uses a Hybrid producing 107kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.4 seconds.
The BYD Shark 6 responds with a Hybrid making 321kW and 650Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds.
The BYD Shark 6 has the clear power advantage at 321kW vs 107kW. In the real-world sprint, the BYD Shark 6 is 3.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Peugeot 408 measures 4,690mm long on a 2,790mm wheelbase, 767mm shorter than the BYD Shark 6 at 5,457mm (3,260mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Shark 6 generally means more rear legroom.
0For towing, the BYD Shark 6 leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,300kg. That 1,200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 13.5m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 13.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,283/year for the Peugeot 408 and $379/year for the BYD Shark 6. That is a $904 annual difference in favour of the BYD Shark 6.
Estimated annual total: $1,283 (Peugeot 408) vs $379 (BYD Shark 6). The BYD Shark 6 saves you roughly $904 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 200,000km (Peugeot 408) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Shark 6). The BYD Shark 6 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Peugeot 408 if: You or prefer Peugeot's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Shark 6 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BYD Shark 6 takes 7 of 9 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BYD Shark 6 will save you roughly $904 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, Peugeot 408 and BYD Shark 6?
The BYD Shark 6 is the cheapest at $55,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Peugeot 408 by $2,090.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BYD Shark 6 uses the least fuel at 2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The BYD Shark 6 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Peugeot 408 has the largest boot at 508L.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Shark 6 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
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. The BYD Shark 6 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.7s.
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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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