Denza B5 2026 review: International first drive

Denza - BYD’s premium brand - will launch in Australia by the end of this year and the Fangchengbao Leopard Bao 5 is expected to be the first model to wear the badge here.

Although don’t expect it to carry that longish name. BYD hasn’t officially confirmed it yet, but it will almost certainly be dubbed Denza B5 when it lands.

If you are interested in the BYD Shark 6 but you’d prefer an SUV body style, the Denza B5 shares underpinnings with the dual-cab ute, including its techy plug-in hybrid powertrain.

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Fangchengbao sits under BYD’s wider brand umbrella and is the company’s off-road-focused brand. It sits alongside BYD, as well as premium marques Yangwang and Denza, which is what Genesis is to Hyundai.

The B5 will enter a hot segment. It’s a medium to large SUV with genuine off-road ability thanks to its body-on-frame structure, and it has a fuel-saving plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Given it will fall under the premium Denza badge in Australia, it will be pitched at other premium models, as well as higher-spec grades of popular off-roaders.

Some potential plug-in hybrid rivals include the Land Rover Defender 110 PHEV and the recently discontinued Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.

A series hybrid is expected for the Toyota Prado at some point, so that could be a match up as well. The Prado’s Lexus GX cousin is another model in its crosshairs. 

The Denza B5 is similar in size to the Lexus GX. The Lexus is about 125mm longer, but only slightly taller and wider. It also has very similar dimensions to the Defender.

BYD Australia isn’t saying anything about pricing, but given the expected standard gear, the premium badge and level of tech, it should start north of $70,000 and could even breach the six-figure mark.

It should come with features like leather upholstery, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, a massive head-up display and multiple USB-C ports. Expect the latest ADAS like full-speed adaptive cruise control, 360-degree surround-view monitor and level 2 autonomous driving capabilities thanks to the 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, three millimeter-wave radars and one LiDAR on deck.

While it might share mechanicals with the Shark 6, the B5 doesn’t have any visible similarities to the ute. It features a boxy, squared-off look with some elements, like the C-pillar treatment, that’s reminiscent of the Defender. 

The front end has an integrated grille and C-shaped headlights that looks neat. There are some interesting creases on the rear door panels which, at certain angles, look like the car has been in a collision. 

Aside from that quirk, while it might not break any new ground, it’s a handsome design in the metal.

Inside, the B5 really steps up. The cabin design is a well executed combination of rugged and luxurious. It has an upright, horizontal dash design with the 15.6-inch central multimedia screen sitting smack bang in the middle, surrounded by the nicely integrated 12.3-inch driver’s display and a passenger side screen. 

The air vents on the outer edge are surrounded by cool grab handles, while a further grab handle in front of the passenger rams home the fact that this thing can go off road.

The centre console has some interesting design touches that you’ll likely love or hate. The gear shifter rises up out of its housing when you turn on the ignition, and there are five blingy crystal switches for the ignition and other functions.

Elsewhere inside, the materials are top notch and absolutely befitting of a premium marque. Everything feels robust yet high end. The stunning dark blue interior of the version I tested is gorgeous. And the seats! BYD is designing some of the most interesting looking but also functionally excellent seats I’ve seen in some time.

There’s ample space in the rear with loads of head and leg room, while the middle seat won’t be a chore as the lack of a transmission tunnel means a flat floor. Those rear seats are also sumptuous. As well as lower air vents and map pockets, there’s controls for the rear heated and ventilated seats.

The boot is also a decent size and the spare wheel is housed on the rear of the side-opening tailgate.

The B5 rides on BYD’s DOM (Dual-mode - off-road) Super Hybrid platform and is a four-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid. The powertrain consists of a 145kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, making a combined power and torque output of 505kW/760Nm.

A 31.8kWh BYD ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate battery ensures an electric-only range of 100km (WLTP) and a combined petrol-electric range of 1200km.

It supports 100kW DC fast charging and can dash from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds. 

Our drive time in the Fanchengbao 5 was limited to a brief run around an ATV off-road course and some laps on a makeshift test track near Shenzhen, China. But first impressions are largely positive. 

The B5 stayed out of trouble on the off-road course and showed the potential to be a solid 4WD. But let’s save the final comments on that for a bash on some Aussie trails.

On the tarmac, the B5 is quick from a standing start. That 0-100km/h time is no joke! The steering is also surprisingly sharp with direct turn-in.

The ride quality was only tested on some rumble strips but it soaked up those bumps well. 

On the tight turns of the tarmac track, however, the Denza B5 revealed its shortcomings as a large, heavy SUV. It leans a lot when cornering and you feel the weight at every turn. Sure, a vehicle like this is not about sharp dynamics, but the B5 was a little ropey when pushed. 

It’s unclear what sort of specification the B5 will come with when it lands in Australia, but expect it to have undergone some local ride and handling testing for a more localised tune. So I’ll hold off on final judgement until a local drive.