VS
At a Glance
Power
321 kW
154 kW
Torque
650 Nm
440 Nm
Fuel
2.0 when hybrid battery charged / 9.6 co
7.8 l/100km
Towing
2500 Kg
3500 Kg
0-100 km/h
5.7 s
10.4 s
Engine
1498 cc
2151 cc
Choosing between the BYD Shark 6 and the Kia Tasman is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BYD Shark 6 delivers 321 kW while the Kia Tasman produces 154 kW. On fuel, the Shark 6 returns 2.0 when hybrid battery charged / 9.6 combined l/100km while the Tasman uses 7.8 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R989 900 for the Shark 6 and R879 995 for the Tasman. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
321 kW
154 kW
Torque
650 Nm
440 Nm
0-100 kph
5.7 s
10.4 s
Top Speed
160 Km/h
185 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1498 cc
2151 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
diesel
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
8
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
2.0 when hybrid battery charged / 9.6 co
7.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 litre + 29.6 kWh l
80 l
CO2 Emissions
46 when hybrid battery charged g/km
206 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5457 mm
5410 mm
Width
1971 mm
1930 mm
Height
1925 mm
1930 mm
Wheelbase
2920 mm
3270 mm
Ground Clearance
230 mm
224 mm
Kerb Weight
2710 Kg
2278 Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
—
1173 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2500 Kg
3500 Kg
Load Capacity
790 l
1008 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
7
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 8 battery
5
Warranty Distance
100000 vehicle / 200000 battery Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
—
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
6
Service Plan Distance
—
90000
Service Intervals
20000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Shark 6
Fuel Economy
Shark 6
Value
Tasman
Practicality
Tasman
Pros & Cons
BYD Shark 6
More powerful engine (321 kW)
Better fuel economy (2.0 when hybrid battery charged / 9.6 combined l/100km)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (5.7 ss)
Higher starting price
No factory service plan
Kia Tasman
Lower starting price (R879 995)
Higher towing capacity (3500 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (7.8 l/100km)
Less power than rival (154 kW vs 321 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Shark 6 or Tasman?
The Shark 6 uses 2.0 when hybrid battery charged / 9.6 combined l/100km and the Tasman uses 7.8 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Shark 6 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Shark 6 or Tasman?
The Shark 6 produces 321 kW and 650 Nm of torque while the Tasman delivers 154 kW and 440 Nm of torque. The Shark 6 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Shark 6 and Tasman?
The Shark 6 starts from R989 900 and the Tasman from R879 995. The Tasman is cheaper by R109 905 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Shark 6 or Tasman?
The Shark 6 has a braked towing capacity of 2500 Kg and the Tasman can tow 3500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Shark 6 or the Tasman?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.