Denza B8 2026 News

The Toyota Prado and LandCruiser have largely been the default choices for family SUVs in rural and remote Australia for decades now but as fuel prices crunch, some alternatives are seeming more desirable than ever.BYD’s premium spin-off brand, Denza, launched in Australia earlier this year with the Prado-sized B5 and LandCruiser 300 Series-rivaling B8 SUVs.Both offer a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) set-up, which combines dual electric motors (one on each axle) with a turbocharged petrol engine that generally acts as a generator to top up the battery pack but is also capable of directly powering the front wheels.Denza claims the B5 and B8 can travel up to 100km and 115km on electric power alone, respectively, according to NEDC testing.If you have the capability to charge at home, whether that be with or without solar, and have a commute of around 100km or less, you can theoretically travel on electric power alone and save massively on fuel costs.Using an electric price of 35c/kWh as a frame of reference, fully charging the B5 and B8’s battery costs $11.13 and $12.88, respectively.For many rural and remote Australians their commutes are considerably longer than 100km and this is where the peace of mind of the petrol engine comes into play.Denza claims the B5 and B8 have a combined range of 975km and 1040km, respectively, both according to the more lenient NEDC testing.The diesel-powered Toyota Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series have theoretical ranges of up to 1392km and 1236km, respectively, when using their ADR 81/02 claimed fuel consumptions.Sure the Denzas offer less overall range on paper, but previous experiences with the Prado and LandCruiser have shown they both consume more fuel than they claim, so expect less overall range between diesel refills.The new Prado also requires AdBlue and, depending on driving style and conditions, consumes around one litre of AdBlue every 500km. This means a full refill could be required every 8500km.Denza claims the B5 and B8 consumes 1.9L/100km and 2.0L/100km, respectively, when the battery pack is between 100 and 25 per cent of charge, according to NEDC testing. These figures are largely arbitrary though as much of the test cycle is driven on EV power.Where the real story is how much fuel is consumed when the battery pack is under 25 per cent charge. Denza claims the B5 and B8 consume 9.5L/100km and 9.9L/100km, respectively.During the media launch for the Denza B5 and B8 where we drove both of these cars on remote highways in the Flinders Ranges locked at 70 per cent battery charge, we saw average fuel consumption figures between 8.0L/100km and 9.0L/100km according to the trip computer read-out.One consideration is that diesel is largely more readily available in remote Australia than petrol. However, both the Denza B5 and B8 only require a minimum of 91 RON regular unleaded petrol.In saying this though, Denza has noted it’s unclear how the B5 and B8 performs on Opal fuel, which is a low-aromatic fuel that doesn’t contain the properties that create a high when sniffed and is more prolific in central Australia.While fuel is a major consideration for budget-conscious car buyers right now, there are a number of other factors that off-road-ready family SUV buyers consider.The Denza B5 has a braked towing capacity of 3000kg, which is slightly under the segment benchmark, however the B8 has a braked towing capacity of 3500kg. The latter matches what the Toyota Prado and LandCruiser offer.Due to the heft of the battery pack, the B5 and B8 are much heavier than the Prado and LandCruiser. Instead of having a kerb weight about 2500kg, the Denzas weigh more than 3000kg.The B8 in particular has a kerb weight of about 3300kg, making it Australia’s heaviest SUV.Payload in the B5 is between 490kg and 600kg, depending on the trim level, which isn’t a great deal as the Prado offers between 580kg and 615kg, depending on the trim level.The B5 only offers a five-seat configuration, whereas the Prado does offer a five- and seven-seat configuration, depending on the trim level.While payload in the B8 is 702kg across the line-up which is more on par with the 650kg-785kg payload the LandCruiser 300 Series offers.The B8 has a six- or seven-seat configuration across three rows, depending on the trim level, whereas the LandCruiser 300 Series has either five or seven seats, depending on the trim level.Both Denzas offer four-wheel drive systems with a low-range mode and, depending on the version, rear and front-locking differentials.Then there’s pricing. The 2026 Denza B5 is priced from $74,990 and $79,990 before on-road costs, whereas the Prado costs between $73,200 and $100,690 before on-road costs.The 2026 Denza B8 is priced between $91,000 and $97,900 before on-road costs, whereas the LandCruiser 300 Series costs between $99,340 and $147,910 before on-road costs.Both Denzas offer a more premium level of specification on par with the likes of Lexus.Where Denza will be fighting an uphill battle against Toyota is with its dealer network. The former is still scaling in Australia and will lean on its connections with BYD to get wide service coverage.Toyota has the largest dealer network out of any carmaker in Australia. It has over 250 locations, whereas Denza is planning to have 25-30 dealers by the end of 2026.While this op-ed has largely focused on the new Denza SUVs, there are a few notable family SUV rivals that also offer PHEV powertrains.Examples include the similarly off-road-ready GWM Tank 300 and Tank 500 PHEVs, as well as more on-road-oriented rivals like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Chery Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 Super Hybrids.

The Denza B8 large plug-in hybrid off-roader and Hyundai’s Elexio mid-size EV SUV are the latest pair of vehicles to be awarded a maximum five ANCAP stars.

BYD premium brand Denza says its B5 and B8 rugged SUVs will take the fight to the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, the LC300 and the Nissan Patrol, insisting the Chinese brand has the best technology and powertrains in the world.Asked if Denza was capable of taking on the 4WD household names in Australia, the company's local Chief Operating Officer, Mark Harland replied simply: "I know we can"."It's going to be one customer at a time," he says. "My confidence comes from doing extensive driving of the cars – the B5 and B8."We know we deliver on the luxury. We know we deliver on off-road capability. And the best technology in the world is coming out of China right now, right?"So the things that I know that are important to Australians, we deliver on that."The B5 (from $74,990) and B8 (from $91,000) both occupy an interesting space, in which they will target both mainstream players (Toyota and Nissan), as well as premium offerings, like from Lexus.And that, Mr Harland says, only increases Denza's opportunity Down Under, with the executive suggesting "there are a lot of brands that we can have a crack at"."I also see the market opportunity because at that price point, I think it's just a matter of getting on people's radars and getting them in for a drive," he says."I think that's what's going to be the determining factor, and our powertrain. No one else really has that powertrain. So that's the market opportunity."We've got luxury, we've got the tech, and we've got a powertrain that no one else is really delivering on right now."

We’ve already looked at the most important cars coming in 2026, but what about the ones that may not be big sellers but will generate a lot of excitement?Well, there’s plenty of those to choose from (because there’s no shortage of new models to choose from in the jam-packed Australian new car market anyway), but we’ve narrowed it down to the five most notable examples. These may not be the most popular newcomers, but they are the new offerings that make the biggest statement about the brand’s intent. Toyota RAV4 PHEVToyota was adamant for over a decade that its conventional hybrid system was all it needed to keep buyers happy. But with plug-in hybrid sales more than doubling in 2025 it has finally decided that the time is right to join the party.The RAV4 PHEV won’t land until later in the year, months after the rest of the range goes on sale, but it will bring with it a new flagship GR Sport variant. This will be powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid powertrain that will make 227kW and be capable of driving up to 100km on electric power alone.There will also be a single-motor, front-wheel drive option, on the more affordable mid-spec XSE trim line, which should ensure the PHEV has appeal to a reasonable amount of the market.The biggest challenge for Toyota will be ensuring the RAV4 PHEV is price-competitive against its Chinese rivals, such as the BYD Sealion 6 (from $42,990), GWM Haval H6 (from $44,990) and MG HS (from $49,690).Mazda 6e Will it be second time’s a charm for Mazda with electric cars? And, perhaps even more curiously, is there still a market for the sedan?Local management has made no secret that its first electric offering, the MX-30, was a niche player that had limited appeal at its size and price. But that’s not the case for the 6e, which is a very different proposition on every level and therefore holds great potential - for better or worse - for the brand.For starters, the 6e is the product of Mazda’s partnership with Chinese carmaker Changan, makers of Deepal. That has allowed Mazda to confirm a starting price of “less than $55,000” for the 6e, which is pretty competitive for a mid-size sedan, regardless of powertrain. However, both electric cars and mid-size sedans are still niche propositions, so the combination of both makes for a significant challenge for Mazda to overcome. If the price and specification levels are appealing, perhaps the Mazda badge can help lure buyers away from a Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, but even if it does that successfully the 6e will likely be a modest seller.But what makes it so exciting is the potential it has to define Mazda’s future. If it does well, Mazda will likely continue to explore more EV options. But if it doesn’t, the brand will need to pivot and focus on its PHEV powertrains for the foreseeable future.Hyundai Palisade XRT ProHaving enjoyed huge success with its sporty ‘N’ brand, Hyundai is trying to expand its portfolio into the off-road space with ‘XRT’. We’ve already seen accessories packs for the Santa Fe, but in 2026 the brand will take the next step and offer the Palisade XRT Pro as a specific trim grade.While the Santa Fe XRT package was style focused, the Palisade XRT Pro takes everything a step further. There’s a unique grille and lower bumper that incorporates twin, chassis-mounted tow hooks, as well as new side skirts and rear bumper, all of which improves its approach, breakover and departure angles.There is a new XRT Pro-exclusive rear electronic limited-slip differential for better off-road capability as well as downhill brake control and new terrain modes for mud, sand and snow, plus 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres. But Hyundai has stopped short of modifying the suspension, so it is unlikely to convince true off-roaders to make the switch.But it shows Hyundai is serious about making XRT Pro another element of its arsenal and we’ve seen there is scope for more XRT and XRT Pro models in the future, assuming the Palisade makes an impact.Denza B5 and B8 Perhaps the biggest problem Hyundai faces competing with the LandCruiser and Everest is actually these two new arrivals. Denza, a spin-off from BYD, is also aiming to become an alternative to the current large SUV kings.The Prado-sized B5 and LandCruiser rivaling B8 are both powered by potent plug-in hybrid powertrains while still being capable of towing up to 3000kg and 3500kg, respectively.As evidenced by the success of the BYD Shark 6, Australians are open-minded about plug-in hybrid utes, so it makes sense for Denza to see if the same is true for the rugged SUV market.With the entire range all priced below $100,000, and the B5 kicking off from a highly-competitive $74,990, Denza has positioned itself well to try and attract Aussie adventures to its new offerings.Nissan PatrolIt’s been a long, long time coming but the Patrol is inching closer to Australia. It’s still not 100 per cent locked in for a 2026 showroom arrival, but it’s still the most exciting new model for Nissan in a long time.After a difficult 2025 thanks to the company's financial troubles, Nissan Australia could do with a positive boost this year. The new Patrol drops the old V8 and replaces it with a twin-turbo V6 that makes even more performance, a very healthy 317kW/700Nm.It may not be Nissan’s biggest seller, but the new Patrol will be a big and, more importantly, positive addition to the line-up which makes it very exciting.

This potential BYD model could be the brand's next big hit in Oz.

Denza plans to replicate the success of the Shark 6 in Australia with its incoming B5 plug-in hybrid off-road SUV.

BYD has introduced a new version of its LandCruiser rival in China.

Denza has announced its range for the Australian market. The BYD subsidiary will bring across two off-road capable plug-in hybrid vehicles in the form of B5 and the B8. Denza Australia Chief Operating Officer Mark Harland said entering Australia will offer greater options for buyers. “This is a landmark moment in the Australian automotive industry,” he said.“DENZA will offer a whole new range for consumers wanting a slice of luxury and the latest in innovation. “It’s built for explorers, pioneers, and leaders. For those who see roads as invitations, not boundaries, we know DENZA will be one of the most exciting premium brand launches to date.”The B5 uses a 145kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, one on each axle.This makes for a combined power and torque output of 505kW/760Nm. Thanks to the 31.8kWh BYD ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP), the B5 has an electric-only range of 100km (WLTP) and a combined petrol-electric range of 1200km.The seven-seater B8 combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual-electric motors to produce 550kW and 760Nm, allegedly achieving 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds.The dual-electric motors are powered by a 36.8kWh LFP battery, which has a claimed WLTP range of 100km. Pricing and more detailed specifications will be revealed closer to the launch date. 

China’s BYD has been spied testing a right-hand drive version of the premium Denza B8 in Australia ahead of an expected local launch.Photos and short videos of this camouflaged prototype were uploaded to the BYD Denza B5 & B8 Australia Facebook group. It was parked on the side of the Pacific Highway in Brooklyn, New South Wales.A vehicle registration search confirms this car is a black Denza B8 “evaluation vehicle”.As previously reported, BYD is launching its Denza premium off-shoot brand in Australia before the end of 2025.The first Denza model to be offered locally is the B5 plug-in hybrid SUV, which is smaller than the three-row B8. It’s around the size of a Toyota Prado.At this stage the company hasn’t confirmed whether the B8 will join Denza’s Australian model line-up, but it’s believed there is a strong chance it’ll head our way.The B8, along with the B5, were also confirmed for a launch in Africa and the Middle East from the third quarter of 2025.Known in China as the Leopard 8 under the Fengchengbao off-road brand from BYD, the Denza B8 has a slightly different front grille design, along with Denza badging all around.CarsGuide got a chance to drive a left-hand drive Fengchengbao version earlier this year in China.Measuring in at 5195mm long, 1994mm wide and 1905mm tall with a 2920mm wheelbase, the B8 is a large three-row SUV that’s larger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and more on par with the likes of the Land Rover Defender 130.Power comes from a PHEV powertrain that includes a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors for total system outputs of 550kW and 760Nm. It’s claimed to be able to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds despite a kerb weight of 3.3 tonnes.The two electric motors are fed by a 36.8kWh ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that’s claimed to offer 100km of electric range, according to WLTP testing.All up there’s a claimed range 1200km, according to lenient CLTC testing.The Denza B8 is built on a body-on-frame chassis with double wishbone independent suspension that also features ‘DiSus-P’ air suspension.Ground clearance is 220mm in normal mode and increases to 310mm when lifted up. The B8 has a wading depth of up to 890mm, approach and departure angles of 34 and 35 degrees, respectively, as well as a low-speed four-wheel drive mode, three automatic diff locks and a long list of off-road modes.

China’s BYD has revealed its next luxurious SUV that will be offered in global markets outside of China.As reported by Car News China, the Denza B8 large plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV will be offered in Africa and the Middle East from the third quarter of 2025.It’ll be offered there alongside the Toyota Prado-rivalling Denza B5 PHEV SUV.Known domestically as the Leopard 8 under the Fengchengbao off-road brand from BYD, the Denza B8 has a slightly different front grille design, along with Denza badging all around.The Denza brand, which is a premium off-shoot from BYD, will launch locally by the end of 2025 with the B5.At this stage the company hasn’t confirmed whether the B8 will join Denza’s Australian model line-up, but it is believed there is a strong chance it'll head out way.CarsGuide got a chance to drive a left-hand drive Fengchengbao version earlier this year in China.Measuring in at 5195mm long, 1994mm wide and 1905mm tall with a 2920mm wheelbase, the B8 is a large three-row SUV that’s larger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and more on par with the likes of the Land Rover Defender 130.Power comes from a PHEV powertrain that includes a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors for total system outputs of 550kW and 760Nm. It’s claimed to be able to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds despite a kerb weight of 3.3 tonnes.The two electric motors are fed by a 36.8kWh ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that’s claimed to offer 100km of electric range, according to WLTP testing.All up there’s a claimed range 1200km, according to lenient CLTC testing.The Denza B8 is built on a body-on-frame chassis with double wishbone independent suspension that also features ‘DiSus-P’ air suspension.Ground clearance is 220mm in normal mode and increases to 310mm when lifted up. The B8 has a wading depth of up to 890mm, approach and departure angles of 34 and 35 degrees, respectively, as well as a low-speed four-wheel drive mode, three automatic diff locks and a long list of off-road modes.