Denza B5 vs Mazda CX-70

What's the difference?

The Denza B5 Leopard PHEV is the latest in China’s plug-in hybrid invasion of Australia.

Denza is a premium sub-brand of BYD and the B5 is a luxury body-on-frame 4WD wagon with five seats, 16 drive modes, a low-range gear-set on the rear axle, and front and rear diff locks.

It has a packed standard features list, a premium-style interior, about 100km electric-only driving range, and real off-road adventure potential.

But how does this plush plug-in perform off-road?

Read on.

Mazda calls the new CX-70 its "flagship" five-seat SUV, which also makes it yet another flag-bearer for the brands relentless push up market as part of its 'Mazda Premium' strategy.

It might have a different badge, but it's really a five-seat version of the brand's biggest and most expensive offering, the seven-seat CX-90.

And, for reasons that will become clear in a moment, it's something of a bargain, at least in the context of Mazda's plush large SUV range.

How so, you ask? Read on.