The highly awaited 2025 BYD Shark, a plug-in hybrid from the Chinese manufacturer BYD, has had its pricing leaked ahead of its official Australian launch. This leak comes courtesy of a government website that inadvertently revealed the details before swiftly removing them—a sure sign that the information was not meant to be public just yet.
Pricing Details
In Mexico, where the BYD Shark has already been launched, the pricing is around $85,000 AUD. However, for the Australian market, the pricing is surprisingly competitive. According to the leaked information, the recommended retail price for the base model of the BYD Shark is set at $68,000 AUD. When you factor in on-road costs, this price climbs to just over $77,000 AUD.
What’s particularly interesting is that this price point appears to be for the upper-spec model, meaning Australian buyers could be looking at a well-equipped vehicle for under $80,000 AUD drive-away. Considering the specs and features, this is a remarkably good value for money.
Key Specifications
The BYD Shark is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two electric motors and a blade battery, which is known for its efficiency and durability. The battery offers a 100 km electric range, with an energy consumption rate of 26 kWh per 100 km. This makes the Shark a fairly heavy vehicle, likely weighing close to three tons once fully loaded.
The vehicle’s combined power output is 320 kW, with a 0-100 km/h time of just 5.7 seconds—impressive for a dual-cab vehicle. The Shark also features a 30 kWh battery pack, providing enough power to handle most tasks without the need to engage the internal combustion engine.
Practical Considerations
The BYD Shark’s dimensions make it a sizable vehicle, measuring just under 5.5 meters in length and 2 meters in both width and height. It offers a ground clearance of 282 mm, which should make it capable off-road, although this high clearance could impact aerodynamics.
The vehicle’s payload capacity is 835 kg, and it has a braked towing capacity of 2.5 tons—slightly lower than some competitors in the same price bracket but still respectable. The cabin is designed with comfort and technology in mind, featuring a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a large 12.8-inch infotainment screen.
Is It a Lifestyle or Trade Vehicle?
The BYD Shark seems to straddle the line between a lifestyle and trade vehicle. With its robust features, it can handle weekend camping trips and light off-road adventures, but it’s also well-suited for work-related tasks. However, some buyers might be more interested in its tax benefits, especially with the FBT exemption for plug-in hybrids.
As the official launch in Australia approaches, it will be interesting to see how the BYD Shark is received and whether it meets the expectations set by this early pricing leak.
If you’re considering purchasing the BYD Shark, do you think the pricing is fair? Will this vehicle meet your needs for both work and play? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
