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Electric
2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance & Cab-Chassis: price, specs and release date in Australia
RACV
April 09, 2026
The BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute expands in Australia with a new Cab-Chassis and flagship Performance pick-up with more power, 3500kg towing and better 4x4 off-road ability. Here are the key details.
The popular BYD Shark 6 ute range has expanded to include a flagship 2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance pick-up – offering more power, better off-road performance and a higher 3500kg towing capacity – as well as a new versatile Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis.
The original Shark 6 Premium continues in BYD’s three-strong 2026 plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute line-up, which now has a broader appeal for families, caravanners, tradies and 4x4 recreational users.
“By expanding to three distinct models, we’re giving customers more choice without compromise – whether it’s a Super Hybrid that is a capable workhorse, a family all-rounder or made for serious towing and performance,” said BYD Australia chief operating officer, Stephen Collins.
The new additions will be a booster shot for the Shark 6, which has fast become one of Australia’s biggest-selling utes, a key driver of rising plug-in hybrid interest and a major threat for its established rivals, led by the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
Here are the first details of the new 2026 BYD Shark 6 PHEV range, including arrival dates, pricing, headline features, performance, towing, payload, safety and more.
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When does the BYD Shark 6 Performance & Cab-Chassis go on sale?
Expressions of interest are now being taken for the BYD Shark 6 Performance, ahead of the flagship ute’s arrival in Australia during May 2026.
The 2026 BYD Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis is officially on sale, although full pricing and specifications are still to be released. The carryover 2026 BYD Shark 6 Premium continues unchanged and is available to order through BYD dealers or online.
How much does the 2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance & Cab-Chassis cost?
The 2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance ute is positioned $5000 higher than the Shark 6 Premium, starting from $62,900 plus on-road costs. This brings a more powerful 350kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine for the PHEV powertrain, which improves acceleration, driveability, towing, off-road performance and, not least of all, fuel consumption, according to official figures.
Pricing holds firm at $57,900 plus ORCs for the carryover 2026 BYD Shark 6 Premium, which continues with a 321kW 1.5-litre PHEV system, while the new BYD Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis – which is based on the 1.5-litre powertrain – starts from $55,900 plus ORCs.
Full specifications are still to be released, but the ‘Dynamic’ trim level points to scaled-back features in the tradie-oriented ute. Shark 6 Cab-Chassis pricing also doesn’t include a BYD authorised heavy-duty aluminium tray (cost for this not yet finalised).
Sourced from Ironman 4x4, the alloy tray is a dealer-fit accessory that features eight integrated tie-down points and two lockable storage boxes, with an optional trundle tray.
The Shark 6 Dynamic misses out on the 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen found in other variants – it uses a 12.8-inch fixed screen instead – and, based on New Zealand specs, is also expected to forego front seat heating and ventilation, electric driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, head-up display, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and tinted windows.
Despite the top-tier positioning, the BYD Shark 6 Performance undercuts the V6 diesel-powered Ford Ranger XLT dual-cab (priced from $67,990 plus ORCs) and the four-cylinder Toyota HiLux SR5 (from $65,990 plus ORCs).
The Ford Ranger PHEV, which also has a 3500kg towing capacity, has had its pricing slashed in recent weeks as part of a limited offer that sees the XLT Hybrid model start from $62,000 drive-away, while the better-specced Ranger Sport Hybrid (PHEV) is available from $66,000 drive-away.
The BYD Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis is available with a heavy-duty aluminium tray from Ironman 4x4.
What powers the BYD Shark 6 Performance & Cab-Chassis?
The 2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance features a new 2.0-litre turbocharged DMO Super Hybrid powertrain that boosts total output to 350kW of power and 700Nm of torque – up from 321kW/650Nm in the 1.5-litre-based PHEV system found in the Shark 6 Premium.
Still operating with two electric motors – one each at the front and rear axle – the 2.0-litre PHEV powertrain reduces the dual-cab ute’s 0-100km/h acceleration to 5.5 seconds, down from 5.7sec in the 1.5T PHEV.
What’s more, the Shark 6 Performance’s official fuel consumption claim – when the high-voltage battery state of charge (SOC) is more than 25 per cent – also drops to 1.3 litres per 100km on the WLTP combined test cycle, down from 2.0L/100km in the 1.5T.
The Shark 6 Performance uses the same 29.58kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) ‘blade’ battery as found on all other models in the BYD ute range. The maximum claimed EV driving range is still to be announced, but it should be comparable to the Shark 6 Premium’s 100km claim (SOC 25-100%).
The 2026 BYD Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis uses the 1.5-litre-based PHEV system from the Premium pick-up, which produces 321kW and 650Nm. The official 0-100km/h acceleration figure for the Cab-Chassis matches the Premium ute at 5.7 seconds, however this is unlikely to include the weight of the optional aluminium tray.
Fuel economy and EV range for the Shark 6 Cab-Chassis are still to be officially confirmed but should be in line with the Premium pick-up. In the real world, these figures will vary according to the chosen tray and/or other accessories and bodywork added to the more versatile new model. As per the Shark 6 Premium, the Shark 6 Cab-Chassis is fitted standard with 265/65R18 tyres.
The PHEV system in all Shark 6 variants switches automatically between three driving modes: EV Pure Electric, where the Shark 6 is driven solely by its electric motors from the stored battery power; HEV Series, where the petrol engine acts like a generator to power the electric motors and recharge the battery at the same time; and HEV Parallel, where the e-motors and combustion engine work in tandem to drive the wheels, such as when towing or running at higher road speeds.
The 2026 BYD Shark 6 Cab-Chassis has a 2500kg braked towing capacity.
Lockable storage box on optional Ironman 4x4 alloy tray fitted to BYD Shark 6 Cab-Chassis.
BYD Shark 6 Cab-Chassis sticks with independent suspension front and rear.
Cab-chassis rear end gives BYD Shark 6 owners options for kitting out their PHEV dual-cab ute.
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What is the BYD Shark 6 Performance & Cab-Chassis towing capacity & payload?
Bringing BYD’s dual-cab ute up to the class benchmark that matches the Ford Ranger diesel and PHEV variants – and the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, among others – the 2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance now has a maximum braked towing capacity of 3500kg. Without trailer brakes, this is limited to 750kg.
As per the Shark 6 Premium, the new BYD Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis retains a 2500kg towing capacity (750kg unbraked).
Payload capacities for the new BYD Shark 6 variants are still to be officially confirmed, with the Chinese carmaker saying only that the expanded range offers “more towing and payload solutions”. Official Australian government homologation documents seen by RACV suggest an unchanged 3500kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) and a 2738kg (tare) weight for the Shark 6 Performance, pointing to reduced payload of 762kg (down from 825kg in the Premium).
Meanwhile, New Zealand specs for the Shark 6 Cab-Chassis show a carryover 3500kg GVM and a 2600kg kerb weight (not including tray), which points to a 900kg payload.
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Is the BYD Shark 6 Performance better off-road?
The 2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance is claimed to have “vastly improved off-road credentials” with the addition of a new driver-selectable Crawl terrain mode, improving on the existing Snow, Muddy, Sand and Mountain modes.
Where Mountain mode automatically adjusts powertrain output according to the prevailing off-road conditions, BYD says Crawl mode “is designed for the tough stuff – rocks, steep climbs, deep ruts” by limiting the vehicle to a maximum 20km/h and continuously adjusting torque to maximise traction and avoid wheel slip.
Although only offered on the Performance flagship for now, the BYD Shark 6 Premium and Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis will offer Crawl mode later in 2026, with customers able to add the feature via an over-the-air (OTA) software update.
BYD’s Dual Mode Off-Road (DMO) all-wheel drive architecture continues across the range, employing front and rear electric motors, however the extra power and torque in the 2.0-litre-powered Shark 6 Performance should further improve its off-road capabilities.
Whereas the Shark 6 Performance has inherited powertrain components and Crawl mode from the related Denza B5, BYD is not offering higher-level all-terrain features found on the B5 (and Denza B8) including extra off-road driving modes, ‘Leopard Turn’ vehicle pivot function, low-range gearing and front and rear differential locks.
All BYD Shark 6 variants continue with fully independent suspension comprising a double wishbone layout front and rear.
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What safety & technology features on the BYD Shark 6 Performance & Cab-Chassis?
BYD Australia has confirmed that the 2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance and Cab-Chassis variants will come with “a full suite” of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) – as found in the BYD Shark 6 Premium – and that the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating will apply to the new variants, based on original testing conducted in 2025.
These active safety features will include comprehensive autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane support systems, while a 360-degree surround-view camera will also be fitted standard.
With infotainment tech, the BYD Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis will use a smaller and fixed 12.8-inch central touchscreen – the Shark 6 Premium and Performance use a larger 15.6-inch rotating screen – while all models have a 10.25-inch LCD instrument display.
All Shark 6 variants have 6.6kW Vehicle to Load (V2L) capability via four 230V outlets in the vehicle – one in the cabin and three in the tub – to allow electrical equipment such as power tools and camping accessories to be operated, drawing on the high-voltage battery.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
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