What's the difference?
Large SUVs like the Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol and Land Rover Defender have dominated in Australia for decades now, however there’s now something new to shake up the segment.
BYD’s luxury spin-off brand, Denza, has launched in Australia with two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) off-road SUVs. The B8, which is the larger of the two, is on test here.
With three rows of seating, a bucketload of standard equipment and a jaw-dropping starting price, the B8 is being pitched as a PHEV alternative to the currently diesel-only LandCruiser 300 Series among other more premium alternatives like the Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
We’ve already driven the B8 over in China and this is the first time we’re getting to test it out on Australian roads, so let’s see how it stacks up.
Here’s a fun fact.
Audi has only ever offered two rear-wheel drive (RWD) production cars in its entire 116-year history… the spectacular R8 supercar and the electrifying e-tron GT.
Now there’s this, the Q4 e-tron – a small-ish medium-sized SUV electric vehicle (EV), and Audi’s overdue response to the BMW iX1 and iX2, Polestar 4, Volvo EX40, Mercedes EQA and, of course, the Tesla Model Y.
Overdue? It’s been in production since March, 2021, making it very, very late to Australia.
But, you know what? You might be very glad the local team waited, because this MY25 update might be the premium medium electric SUV to buy right now.
To find out, read on.
The Denza B8 is an incredibly luxurious car that has a lot going for it, including three rows of seating, a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity and an eye-popping price tag, but it's held back by its overall heft and cumbersome ride.
If you don’t absolutely need the third row of seating, the smaller B5 is arguably the better pick and while it’s also not perfect, it’s a very compelling package and you’ll be saving thousands of dollars in the process.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
Audi is famous for sticking doggedly to front-wheel drive and quattro AWD, but clearly, when it puts its mind to it, the few RWD machines it has produced over its 116 years have been exceptional.
While not as exciting as the R8 or as supersonic as the e-tron GT, the Q4 e-tron is an impressive machine. Thoroughly engineered and thoughtfully designed to be a friendly, refined, comfortable, safe and capable family SUV, it deserves to be on your shortlist.
With a couple of choice option packages, the base 45 seems remarkably complete, but there’s plenty to enjoy in the hot-shot 55 quattro as well. Either way, Audi seems to be on a winner.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.