► Denza B5 from the passenger seat
► Sampled at Goodwood 2025
► Due in the UK next year
So, it’s official, Denza is coming to the UK after all. When BYD’s premium brand arrives in mid-2026 it will launch with three cars to begin with: the Z9 GT wagon which we’ve already driven, the D9 MPV and this, the B5 4×4.
BYD bosses have picked these three cars specifically because they cover the widest possible range of sectors and powertrains. The wagon looks after the executive market, the MPV caters for premium people-movers – and this B5 is for those after an SUV.
We’ve not been able to drive the B5 yet, but that didn’t stop us getting into the passenger seat at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed. We’re around a year away from its official launch, but on this page, you’ll find our first impressions of the Denza B5.
Should I buy a Denza B5? That’s impossible to know right now, but our first impressions suggest it’s a pleasingly premium product.
At a glance
Pros: Linear power delivery, robust fit and finish, techy interior
Cons: Styling a little too JLR-esque, hybrid system runs out of steam at speed
What’s new?
The B5 is an entirely new car for Denza, but it’s already on sale globally as a Fangchengbao, another of BYD’s brands, this time focused on premium off-roading. In the UK, though, this will be the Denza B5.
Look around the car and you’ll see a strong resemblance to the Land Rover Defender and the Toyota Land Cruiser amongst others off-roaders, which is no bad thing. Squared-off and blocky, it measures 4890mm long and is everything you’d want looks-wise from a car designed to battle the elements.
What are the specs?
The B5 is a plug-in hybrid and will use 1.5-litre turbo engine combined with a 31.8kWh BYD LFP Blade battery. Add engine power along with an e-motor on each axle, and you’ll get an output of 677bhp and 561lb ft – good enough for a 0-62mph sprint of just 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 112mph. It’s all-wheel drive, too, of course.
The B5 offers an electric range of 62 miles, (in WLTC) and is capable of 100kW charging. It also packs in V2L at 6kW.
What’s it like inside?
First impressions of the B5 are promising. Step up into its elevated cabin, and you immediately notice a solid ‘thunk’ when closing the door. It feels satisfyingly heavy, and suggests Denza has a good understanding of what consumers in this sector want.
A trio of screens take care of all the infotainment and cockpit dials, with two smaller screens for the passenger and driver and a larger one in the middle. That’s correct, the passenger gets a screen, though it uses privacy glass so can’t be seen by the driver. A nice touch.
The UI felt quick to respond – albeit in Chinese – and the screen was as sharp as you’d hope for. When switching on the ventilated seats (a lifesaver in the sweltering Goodwood heat) we didn’t experience any glitching or slowing of the system.
But despite the screens, the B5 doesn’t avoid switchgear, and instead goes all in on physical controls. One the cabin’s highlights is an array of gem-like switches which should look tacky – but are pleasing to use and touch.
Legroom is good enough for six-footers and over (at least in the front), and there’s a 475-litre boot at the rear – though I didn’t get to look at it.
What’s it like to ride in?
Off the line, the B5 feels as rapid as its 4.8-second 0-62mph sprint time suggests. Keep going though, and the 4×4’s hybrid system runs out of juice. Like the prototype Z9 GT, the B5 seems to deal well with bumps and offers a smooth ride, though it does so in a ‘floaty’ fashion typical of Chinese cars. We expect this will be tweaked slightly before it arrives in the UK.
Despite the somewhat disconnected floaty feeling though, the B5 is impressively flat throughout our hillclimb: its relatively composed when we change direction, and it doesn’t pitch or dive in hard acceleration or braking. Good then, but with room for improvement.
Early verdict
We don’t have pricing details yet and this is likely just a Chinese prototype, but early impressions of the B5 are good. It looks the part, nails the premium feel in the interior, and its performance is good enough to work in town and at higher speeds.
Stay tuned, as we‘ll update this article when we get behind the wheel.