BYD Shark 6 vs GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV

Both are plug-in hybrid dual-cabs that promise cheap electric running with a petrol back-up. The GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV actually undercuts the BYD Shark 6 here, and it is the bigger, more traditional workhorse of the two.

Both utes carry a five-star ANCAP rating with the full active-safety suite. The Shark 6's assist calibration can be a touch eager, while the heavier Cannon Alpha is the more old-school driving experience. Neither should put you off on safety grounds.

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.

This is the split. The Shark 6 is dramatically quicker, 321kW and a 5.7-second 0-100km/h, genuinely rapid for a ute. The Cannon Alpha is softer at 300kW but lugs more torque (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 expect roughly 70-85km real. For towing and off-road, the GWM is the more capable tool; for speed and refinement, the BYD.

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.

GWM's seven-year warranty edges BYD's six, and the Cannon Alpha's lower entry price helps too. Both are cheap to run if you charge at home and do mostly short trips; both get thirstier on the highway with the battery flat, as all plug-in hybrids do. Resale for both is still establishing itself versus the diesel establishment.