Denza D9 News

Is the ‘uncool’ people mover on the verge of a renaissance?New arrivals and rising sales suggest the once daggy family transport could become the new battleground in the Australian market.While large, seven-seat SUVs remain the preferred option for Australian families, people mover sales were up 9.2 per cent in 2025 and have started 2026 with a surge, a whopping 41.1 per cent jump on last year.While the Kia Carnival remains the undisputed champion of people movers, accounting for approximately 80 per cent of its market, there is a new wave of more premium rivals that are catering to a specific audience looking for spacious and luxurious travel.The Chinese brands are, unsurprisingly, leading this charge, as people movers are a much more popular choice in its native market. The likes of the Zeekr 009, LDV Mifa, GAC M8 PHEV and upcoming Denza D9 are all offering space and premium features for both family and business buyers.These add to the likes of the Lexus LM, which is available with an opulent four-seat layout, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class, giving buyers more choice.Meanwhile in the more family/fleet-orientated segment of the market, the Carnival competes against the Hyundai Staria, new Ford Tourneo and Volkswagen’s new-generation Multivan and Caddy.And, if that’s not enough, there are the all-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Mercedes-Benz EQV to expand the appeal of the people mover even further.So what makes people movers so popular, especially the Carnival?According to Roland Rivero, Kia Australia’s head of product planning, it’s the simple fact they are bigger and more practical than a seven-seat SUV for families that need the space.“I think our dealers do a pretty good job of conveying that while there might be a high desirability of an SUV, because everyone has got one… but for most families a Carnival is a better proposition,” explains Rivero.“For a family, fundamentally a Carnival does a better job.”The combination of more interior space, especially in the third row and a practical boot, as well as the sliding rear doors, are the standout areas where a people mover has the edge over an SUV, says Rivero.“For the most part dealers are able to convey the benefits of the Carnival over an SUV, unless the buyer has a need for four-wheel drive,” he said. “It’s probably the marketing that has driven that SUV popularity.”Rivero added: “Those that discovered the benefits of a people mover, those who have a family, realise quickly how good it can be.”Speaking to CarsGuide in August 2025, Zeekr Australia boss Frank Li admitted he was surprised by the initial slow uptake for the 009 given its popularity in overseas markets but expressed confidence in its long-term prospects.“Before actually, we valued the Australian market very much as well, but you know previously we only had two models and that is quite a niche segment in Australia,” Li explained.“Even though 009 performance is very good – it’s brilliant in south east Asia, like Hong Kong, Malay Thailand, we’re dominating this segment in this market – but the Australian market is obviously not a traditional people mover market. We believe that slowly, slowly our customers will love 009, but that takes time.”The more premium end of the market is a growing space for these more luxurious people movers, and it’s a key reason why Denza (BYD’s luxury sub-brand) is going to launch the D9 in Australia.Paul Ellis, spokesperson for Denza, said the brand’s move into the market is less about attracting fleet buyers and instead a more corporate audience, smaller operators that do luxury transfers and upmarket hotels, as well as families looking for space and comfort.“They’re a niche product, but within that niche there is quite a lot of demand for them,” Ellis told CarsGuide.

Australia's increasingly crowded people-mover segment has welcomed another new entrant, with the Denza D9 locked in to take on the GAC M8, Zeekr 009, XPeng X9 and Lexus LM.The third model in Denza's Australian line-up – joining the B5 and B8 4WD SUVs – the D9 starts at $85,990 before on-road costs for the FWD variant, and steps to $95,990 for the AWD.It's the third in what Denza promises will be a five-model line-up in Australia by early 2027.Both D9 models are electric and both share a significant 103.3kWh 'Blade' battery. The FWD makes use of a front-mounted electric motor producing 230kW and 360Nm. The AWD then adds a second rear-mounted electric motor, increasing total outputs to 275kW and 470Nm.The big battery means solid driving range, with the AWD returning 480kms on the WLTP cycle, and the FWD delivering 520kms. When it comes time to plug in, the D9 is set up for 200kW DC fast charging, 11kW AC charging, and arrives with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) connection.Inside, there's three rows of seating for a total of seven passengers, with the two chairs up front joined by two captain’s chairs in the second row. At the back, there are three seats in a bench layout.Second-row passengers get massaging seats and Denza is promising space aplenty no matter where you sit, with more than 900mm of legroom even in the third row.Tech in the cabin is strong too, with a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, a second 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a third 12.0-inch head-up display. A 14-speaker stereo provides the audio, and a fun touch is the on-board fridge, which doubles as a hotbox, and can be chilled to -6 degrees celsius, or warmed to 50 degrees celsius.Denza concedes the D9 won't produce masses of volume for the brand in Australia, but insists the model will do its part in establishing BYD's premium arm in our market.“We’re introducing a new standard of practical luxury," says Denza Australia COO, Mark Harland.“The Denza D9 offers all occupants first-class comfort, advanced technology, and everyday usability without compromise."