Toyota HiLux 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.
Data checked: specs 22 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.
$33,990RRP
- cannot be matched: 360-Degree Camera, Keyless Entry, Push-Button Start and 2 more not offered
$55,900RRP
- with the Toyota HiLux's standard kit: $55,900 (nothing to add)
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 Toyota HiLux & BYD Shark 6
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Price Breakdown
The Toyota HiLux starts from $33,990 before on-road costs, while the BYD Shark 6 opens at $55,900. That makes the Toyota HiLux the more affordable entry point by $21,910.
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 $37,389 and $61,490 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Shark 6 by roughly $8,510 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Toyota HiLux and BYD Shark 6 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Toyota HiLux and 85% for the BYD Shark 6.
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 Toyota HiLux.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control. The BYD Shark 6 adds a 360-degree camera that the Toyota HiLux misses.
Recalls on our record
Toyota HiLux
- REC-005004 · published 30 Nov 2021Due to poor stiffness of the rear licence plate bracket around the single mounting point, there is a possibility this may lead to cracking as a result of metal fatigue caused by vibration when driving on a rough (corrugated) roads.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2021
- REC-001279 · published 30 Mar 2021The Australian Design Rule (ADR 61/02) requires a compliance label to be fitted to vehicles.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2021
- REC-001315 · published 16 Dec 2020The brake booster may have been incorrectly manufactured, causing an internal fault.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 4 more on the model page.
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
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 Toyota HiLux features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-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 BYD Shark 6 counters with wireless charging, V2L and Dynaudio audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Toyota HiLux gets cloth upholstery while the BYD Shark 6 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Toyota HiLux and 2-zone in the BYD Shark 6.
Drivetrain
The Toyota HiLux uses a 2.8L 4-cyl Turbo-Diesel producing 150kW and 420Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.2 seconds.
The BYD Shark 6 responds with a Hybrid making 321kW and 650Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels.
The BYD Shark 6 has the clear power advantage at 321kW vs 150kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota HiLux measures 5,380mm long on a 3,085mm wheelbase, 33mm shorter than the BYD Shark 6 at 5,413mm (3,260mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Shark 6 generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Toyota HiLux leads with a 2,900kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 400kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 13.5m
Based on 10.8m 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
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 $2,081/year for the Toyota HiLux and $379/year for the BYD Shark 6. That is a $1,702 annual difference in favour of the BYD Shark 6.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota HiLux) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Shark 6). The BYD Shark 6 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota HiLux if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
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.
The Verdict
BYD Shark 6: Top CarSorted Score, 72 vs 71, but the Toyota HiLux is $21,910 cheaper
The BYD Shark 6 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (72 vs 71), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: technology (BYD Shark 6 ahead by 27), performance (BYD Shark 6 ahead by 26), fuel economy (Toyota HiLux ahead by 25). The BYD Shark 6 will save you roughly $1,702 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, Toyota HiLux and BYD Shark 6?
The Toyota HiLux is the cheapest at $33,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Shark 6 by $21,910.
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: Toyota HiLux and BYD Shark 6 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota HiLux has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,900kg.
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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