Is BYD the new luxury king? New three-row plug-in hybrid SUV from luxury BYD sub-brand could be so much cheaper than its rivals, as the 2025 Denza N9 revealed as possible cut-price model for Australia to compete with Range Rover PHEV and GMC Yukon Denali

Denza, a luxury subsidiary of Chinese EV giant BYD, has revealed details of its first flagship plug-in hybrid luxury SUV, the N9.

Built for the global market, the Denza N9 will debut in China in 2025 before being sent to Europe and potentially Australia.

It is designed to be a cut-price competitor to the long-wheelbase Range Rover PHEV P460e HSE and the GMC Yukon Denali as a luxury three-row SUV.

It is 206mm longer than the Range Rover, coming in at 5258mm long, though it's still 80mm shorter than the Yukon Denali, which measures up at 5338mm.

It is 2030mm wide, 1830mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 3125mm. The latter is 54mm longer than the Yukon Denali's.

Power is sourced from three electric motors that generate a staggering 680kW. They are paired to a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that generates a further 152kW.

There is a 47kWh battery pack that delivers up to 165km of CLTC-certified electric range, according to CarNewsChina.

It’s also poised for a fully-electric three-motor variant, though there are no further details at this stage.

Inside, the N9 carries a three-row 2:2:2 seating configuration, with two independent captain’s chairs in the second row.

These seats can fully recline, while there is a 17.1-inch ceiling mounted screen in the second row for entertainment, as well as seat-mounted tray tables and personal fold out mirrors.

Up front, there is a three-monitor setup, with a large 17.3-inch central touchscreen, a 13.2-inch LCD digital driver’s display and a 13.2-inch passenger’s display.

In the floating centre console, there is a 11.5-litre heating and cooling box, which reportedly works from six to 50 degrees. Additionally, there are two wireless charging pads, a block of physical buttons –presumably for climate controls – and a hidden under-carriage storage area.

The Denza N9 will enter the Chinese market next year at a starting price of 500,000 yuan ($106,105), according to CarNewsChina.

It is also poised to launch in Europe shortly after following leaked spy shots of a prototype model testing in London last month.

Australia could potentially be in the brand’s sights for later in 2025, with a BYD spokesperson telling CarsGuide earlier this year that nothing was off the cards for the brand.

“BYD is committed to extending its new energy range in Australia, offering its customers more choice across all key segments,” the spokesperson said.

“While there is no definitive timeline for the Denza Z9 or Z9 GT in Australia, BYD will continue to explore bringing more vehicles to disrupt the Australian automotive industry.”

If it does arrive in Australia, it will no doubt undercut key rivals such as the GMC Yukon Denali and the Range Rover PHEV P460e HSE in price, which start at $169,990 and $270,888, respectively, before on-road costs.

Denza was founded in 2011 as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and BYD before the Chinese EV giant assumed full control over the brand in September this year.