BYD Shark 6 Dimensions & Payload: Does It Fit Your Worksite and Garage?
The BYD Shark 6 is a full-size dual cab at 5,457 mm long, 1,971 mm wide, and 1,925 mm tall, riding on a long 3,260 mm wheelbase. The owner's manual confirms a 2,710 kg kerb weight and a 3,500 kg gross vehicle mass, which leaves a payload of 790 kg. Braked towing is 2,500 kg. The tub is wide enough to take a standard pallet, but the heavy kerb weight means payload is tighter than most diesel utes.
Quick-Stats: Shark 6 at a Glance
| Measurement | Figure |
|---|---|
| Length | 5,457 mm |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 1,971 mm |
| Height | 1,925 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,260 mm |
| Kerb weight | 2,710 kg |
| Gross vehicle mass (GVM) | 3,500 kg |
| Payload (GVM minus kerb) | 790 kg |
| Braked towing | 2,500 kg |
| Turning circle (kerb to kerb) | 13.5 m |
| Ground clearance (unladen) | 230 mm |
Exterior Dimensions: L x W x H and Wheelbase
The Shark 6 is a genuinely large ute, sitting at the bigger end of the dual cab class.
- Length: 5,457 mm
- Width: 1,971 mm excluding mirrors
- Height: 1,925 mm
- Wheelbase: 3,260 mm
- Front and rear track: 1,660 mm
- Approach angle: 31 degrees, with a 19.3 degree departure angle
The long wheelbase gives a stable ride and roomy cabin, but it also means a wide turning circle and a tight fit in shorter garages.
Pickup Bed Dimensions: Internal Tub Size
The tub is one of the Shark 6's strong points for tradies.
- Length: 1,520 mm
- Width at the top: 1,500 mm
- Width between the wheel arches: 1,224 mm
- Depth: 517 mm
- Cargo volume: 1,200 litres
That 1,224 mm between the arches clears a standard Australian pallet (1,165 x 1,165 mm) and a Euro pallet, which many diesel utes cannot manage. A spray-in liner is fitted as standard, and three weather-shielded power outlets in the tub run tools straight off the battery.
Cab Interior Space: Headroom and Legroom
The Shark 6 seats five and the long 3,260 mm wheelbase translates into generous rear legroom for a dual cab.
- Independent rear suspension and a flat battery floor free up cabin space.
- Rear passengers get more knee room than most leaf-sprung rivals of similar length.
- BYD does not publish exact headroom and legroom figures, so we recommend a seat test if you regularly carry tall adults in the back.
Turning Circle: Tight Parking Comparison
The kerb-to-kerb turning circle is 13.5 m, which is on the larger side for the class.
- Most mid-size diesel utes sit closer to 12.5 to 13 m.
- In tight worksite yards, multi-storey car parks, and suburban cul-de-sacs, expect to need an extra point in your three-point turns.
- The reversing camera and surround view help, but the sheer length is the limiting factor.
Kerb Weight and Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)
This is where buyers need to do the maths carefully.
- Kerb weight: 2,710 kg, heavy because of the battery and dual motor system. The LFP pack is part of why; see what makes the Blade battery so robust and so heavy.
- Gross vehicle mass (GVM): 3,500 kg, the most the loaded ute can legally weigh.
- Axle loads at GVM: 1,595 kg front, 1,905 kg rear.
Maximum Payload Capacity
Payload is GVM minus kerb weight, so the Shark 6 gives you 790 kg.
That figure has to cover everything you add:
- Passengers, tools, and cargo in the tub
- A canopy, bull bar, towbar, or roof rack
- The tow ball download when towing, up to 250 kg
Hook up a heavy trailer and the ball weight eats into that 790 kg quickly. Five adults plus a loaded tub can put you near the limit, so weigh your typical load before fitting accessories.
Garage Fit Check: Minimum Door and Depth Needed
At 5,457 mm long and 1,971 mm wide, the Shark 6 is bigger than a typical single garage was designed for.
- Door width: a standard single door opening is about 2,400 mm. The body fits, but fold the mirrors and allow room to open the doors inside.
- Door height: at 1,925 mm the ute clears most 2,100 mm openings, but a roof rack, aerial, or light bar can change that. Measure with accessories fitted.
- Garage depth: many single garages are only 5,400 to 5,500 mm internally. With a 5,457 mm vehicle, the door may not close behind it. Aim for at least 5,700 mm of clear depth.
Shark 6 vs Competitors: Size and Payload
| Measurement | BYD Shark 6 | Ford Ranger Wildtrak | Toyota HiLux SR5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,457 mm | ~5,370 mm | ~5,320 mm |
| Tub length | 1,520 mm | ~1,547 mm | ~1,570 mm |
| Tub volume | 1,200 L | ~1,233 L | n/a (varies) |
| Braked towing | 2,500 kg | 3,500 kg | 3,500 kg |
| Payload | 790 kg | ~950 kg | ~797 kg |
| GVM | 3,500 kg | ~3,230 kg | ~3,050 kg |
| Measurement note | Competitor figures are representative of popular variants and vary by spec and model year. Confirm the exact variant before purchase. | ||
The headline trade-off is clear: the Shark 6 trails the diesel benchmarks on braked towing, and its payload sits near the HiLux SR5 rather than the Ranger. In return it offers a wider load floor between the arches, tub power outlets, and a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Common Mistakes Buyers Make
- Forgetting the tow ball weight. Up to 250 kg of trailer download counts against your 790 kg payload.
- Adding heavy accessories without re-checking payload. A steel canopy and bar can swallow 150 kg or more.
- Assuming it tows like a diesel ute. Braked towing is 2,500 kg, not 3,500 kg.
- Measuring the garage by width only. Depth is the real catch at over 5.4 m long.
- Trusting headroom figures online. BYD does not publish them, so test the rear seat yourself.