BYD Shark 6 vs GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
The fast one against the one that actually tows 3,500kg. Which plug-in hybrid ute wins?
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.
BYD Shark 6 Premium
From $57,900
PHEV ute
1.5T PHEV, twin motor
321kW
~2.0L/100km*
5★ ANCAP
Tray (ute)
GWM Cannon Alpha Lux PHEV
From $59,990
PHEV ute
2.0T PHEV
300kW
~2.0L/100km*
5★ ANCAP
Tray (ute)
Price Breakdown
Both are plug-in hybrid dual-cabs that promise cheap electric running with a petrol back-up, and the pricing here is easy to get wrong. The figure you will often see attached to the GWM Cannon Alpha, $52,990, is the diesel Lux. The plug-in Lux PHEV is $59,990, which puts it $2,090 above the BYD Shark 6 Premium rather than below it.
| Variant | Powertrain | RRP |
|---|---|---|
| GWM Cannon Alpha Lux | Diesel | $52,990 |
| BYD Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis | PHEV | $55,900 |
| GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra | Diesel | $56,990 |
| BYD Shark 6 Premium | PHEV | $57,900 |
| GWM Cannon Alpha Lux PHEV | PHEV | $59,990 |
| BYD Shark 6 Performance | PHEV | $62,900 |
| GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra HEV | Hybrid | $64,490 |
| GWM Cannon Alpha Ultra PHEV | PHEV | $66,990 |
Read down that list and the plug-in BYD is the cheaper of the two plug-in utes at every equivalent step. If your budget is the deciding factor and you do not need 3,500kg of towing, the Shark 6 Premium is the value pick of the plug-in pair. If you do need the full tow rating, the Cannon Alpha Lux PHEV at $59,990 is the cheapest way to get it in a plug-in ute, since the Shark 6 Performance that matches it is $62,900.
Safety Rundown
Both utes carry a five-star ANCAP rating with the full active-safety suite listed as standard. Neither should put you off on safety grounds.
Feature Showdown
Both are loaded for the money with big screens, synthetic leather, heated seats and vehicle-to-load to run tools or a campsite off the battery. The Shark 6 feels the more modern and car-like inside; the Cannon Alpha feels the bigger, more rugged truck. It comes down to whether you want a refined daily or a proper workhorse.
Drivetrain
This is the split. The Shark 6 is dramatically quicker on paper, 321kW and a claimed 5.7 seconds to 100km/h, which is genuinely rapid for a ute. The Cannon Alpha is 300kW but carries more torque at 750Nm and, crucially, tows the full 3,500kg where the Shark 6 Premium maxes out at 2,500kg. It also has a bigger 37.1kWh battery and proper 4WD with low range. Both claim around 100km of NEDC electric range, so plan on meaningfully less in practice. For towing and off-road hardware the GWM is the more capable tool; for outright pace the BYD, and it is now the cheaper of the two as well.
Space & Comfort
Both seat five with roomy cabins and competitive trays. The Cannon Alpha is the physically larger vehicle with a more commercial feel, while the Shark 6 leans into car-like comfort and tech. If you spend all day in it for work, the GWM's size and towing matter more; if it doubles as the family car, the Shark 6's polish wins.
True Cost to Own
GWM's seven-year warranty edges BYD's six, though the Cannon Alpha PHEV no longer has the lower entry price to go with it. Both are cheap to run if you charge at home and do mostly short trips, and both get much thirstier on the highway with the battery depleted, as all plug-in hybrids do. Treat the sub-2.0L/100km combined claims as lab figures, not fuel bills. Resale for both is still establishing itself against the diesel establishment.
The plug-in hybrid ute went from non-existent to one of Australia's hottest segments almost overnight, and these are its two biggest names. The BYD Shark 6 created the category and sells in huge numbers; the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV answers with more towing, more torque and a bigger battery, though no longer a lower price.
We have matched the value PHEV grade of each. You can also stack them on every spec in our tool, read the full BYD Shark 6 review, or browse the best electric and PHEV utes guide.
The Verdict
One correction up front, because it flips half the old argument: the Cannon Alpha Lux PHEV is $59,990, not the $52,990 often quoted. That $52,990 is the Lux Diesel. So the GWM does not undercut the BYD any more, it costs $2,090 more than the $57,900 Shark 6 Premium. What the extra money still buys is the thing that matters most to a lot of ute buyers: the full 3,500kg braked tow rating the Shark 6 Premium cannot match at 2,500kg, plus 100Nm more torque, a bigger 37.1kWh battery, low-range 4WD and a seven-year warranty against BYD's six. The Shark 6 answers with pace that is in another category, 321kW and a claimed 5.7 seconds to 100km/h against about 10.5, and a more car-like package for $2,090 less. Pick the Cannon Alpha to tow, the Shark 6 for everything else.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (23 May 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.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 23 May 2026
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