Kia Sorento vs BYD Shark 6
What's the difference?

Kia Sorento

$33,990 - $82,990

2025 price

View pricing & specs

BYD Shark 6

$55,900 - $62,900

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Renault Megane E-Tech

Renault Scenic E-Tech

Summary

2025 Kia Sorento

2026 BYD Shark 6

By Emily Agar

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.6L

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

1.6L/100km (combined)

10.5L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

16.1 kWh/100km

27.7 kWh/100km

Electric range

68 km

80 km

Battery capacity

14.40 kWh

29.60 kWh

Seating

Likes

Superb comfort and features
Family focused practicality
Easy-going driving experience

Refined on-road
Improved off-road
Impressive build quality

Dislikes

Price vs value equation doesn't add up
Limited electric driving range
No curtain airbags in the third row

Needs better off-road tyres
Shallow departure and ramp-over angles
Battery/underbody vulnerable to off-road damage

2025 Kia Sorento Summary

The plug-in hybrid market is slowly but surely gaining traction in Australia, and Kia has thrown its hat into the ring with the flagship Sorento GT-Line PHEV AWD.

This top-spec seven-seat large SUV pairs family friendly practicality with the promise of lower emissions and petrol savings, at least, in theory.

So, is it the right blend of convenience, space and efficiency for busy families looking to dip a toe into electrification? That’s exactly what my family and I have been finding out.

View full pricing & specs

2026 BYD Shark 6 Summary

The BYD Shark 6 Performance is the top-shelf variant in the Shark 6 line-up and, as such, it has a larger 2.0-litre petrol engine, an improved off-road system (or so BYD reckons), and 3.5 tonnes towing capacity (up from the Premium's 2.5 tonnes).

This Chinese-built plug-in hybrid electric ute also has more power and torque than the standard Shark 6, with maximum outputs totalling 350kW (up 29kW from the standard Shark 6) and 700Nm (up 50Nm).

And, if speed’s your specific cup of tea, it might delight you to know that the Performance can do the 0 to 100km/h sprint in a claimed 5.5 seconds.

So, with an updated Crawl mode claimed to simulate traditional low-range gearing, is this Shark better off-road than the Premium version?

Read on.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2025 Kia Sorento 2026 BYD Shark 6

Verdict

The Kia Sorento GT-Line PHEV is a sumptuously equipped seven-seater that delivers comfort, tech and an easy-going drive. It presents well on the surface, and for the right buyer (one who can make the most of its plug-in capabilities ) it could be a smart, low-emissions option for family life.

But for all its polish, it doesn’t quite do enough to justify itself as the best Sorento in the range. The electric-only driving range isn’t especially generous, and the higher price tag , combined with its lower towing capacity, may leave some families wondering whether the diesel variant is the more practical choice.

It’s not a bad car by any means, but the flagship GT-Line PHEV feels more like a stepping stone than a standout.

Verdict

The BYD Shark 6 Performance is an impressive top-shelf plug-in hybrid electric ute.

It offers plenty in terms of quality, comfort and all-round driveability, and it’s well built with a real premium look and feel about it.

Nothing has changed there.

The bonus is that, with tweaks and software updates, this Shark 6 can do more off-road than you might expect of it, and certainly slightly more than its standard stablemate. But it still performs best when it’s used well within its parameters – that is, light-to moderate off-roading.

Consider the point well and truly belaboured.

Kia Sorento vs BYD Shark 6 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Kia Sorento vs BYD Shark 6
What's the difference?