Denza Shakes Up Market with New Electrified SUVs

Premium new energy brand Denza, the luxury arm of Chinese giant BYD, unveiled two new plug-in hybrid SUVs that it hopes will shake up the current landscape of new energy vehicles in the country. First introduced at this year’s Manila International Auto Show, the B5 and the B8 made their formal bow at an event at the ASEANA City Open Grounds last week.

The B5 is a midsize SUV that pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a dual-motor setup, producing a substantial 425 kW and 760 Nm of torque. It’s backed by a 31.8-kWh battery and a generous fuel tank, giving it a combined range of up to 975 kilometers. More importantly, it comes with proper off-road credentials: four-wheel drive and electronically controlled locking differentials front and rear.

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The B8, meanwhile, is a full-size SUV with up to 450 kW on tap and can zoom from zero to 100 kph in just 4.8 seconds. Denza is positioning the B8 as an all-around workhorse, capable of climbing, wading, and crawling through almost any kind of ground condition. Its DiSus-P intelligent damping suspension continuously adapts to terrain in real time, while the locking differential system ensures traction where it matters most.

At the launch, Denza highlighted what it calls the “Leopard Turn,” a feature that allows the vehicles that make tight, almost pivot-like turns through narrow trails or tight urban spaces much easier.

Both the B5 and B8 are equipped with multiple terrain modes, including Mud, Sand, Rock, and Water Wading among them, along with serious ground clearance and deep wading capability. That last part is especially relevant in a country like the Philippines, where flooding in urban areas is a serious concern. Denza is positioning its new SUVs as properly engineered plug-in hybrids that can handle water crossings just as well as traditional internal combustion SUVs.

Inside, Denza leans heavily into comfort and tech—infotainment displays, panoramic roofs, ambient lighting, and even massage and ventilated seats. The B8 ups the ante further with dual wireless chargers and even a built-in refrigerator.

During the launch at ASEANA, Denza built a purpose-built course with steep inclines, side slopes, uneven terrain, and water obstacles, which was clearly designed to let the SUVs show attendees exactly what they’re made of.

The Denza set up at ASEANA runs this weekend until 7 p.m. of Sunday, April 26.