Denza is the premium arm of Chinese EV giant BYD \u2013 it is to BYD what Lexus is to Toyota, or what Genesis is to Hyundai \u2013 and it has just launched the B5, a premium plug-in hybrid SUV, that is a rival to other luxury SUVs like the Lexus GX and Land Rover Defender<\/p>\n
The B5 is certainly not lacking in size. Measuring just under 1.9m in length and 2m in width, it cuts an imposing figure on the road. What\u2019s interesting is that it has a body-on-frame construction and was genuinely designed to go off road.<\/p>\n The B5 comes in six colours. This is Glacier Blue.<\/p>\n Photo: Denza<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n To help it cope when there are no roads, it has a feature called Multi-Terrain Mode Optimisation<\/b>, which offers the driver 16 selectable drive modes, allowing the B5 to tackle rough terrain like snow, mud, and rocks.<\/p>\n Naturally, it has all-wheel drive, and it features locking electric diffs on both the front and rear axles. It also has a \u201cproprietary electronic centre locking mechanism\u201d that lets it send power to the axle and wheel that has the most traction.<\/p>\n Like most cars today, the B5\u2019s interior is dominated by two digital displays. The main infotainment display is 15.6 inches.<\/p>\n Photo: Denza<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Speaking of power, it has a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder motor that\u2019s paired with two electric motors. The combined power output is 425kW (~570hp) and 760nm of torque<\/b>. That\u2019s a lot of power, and it means that despite weighing just shy of 3 tons, it can get from a standstill to 100km\/h in just 4.8 seconds.<\/p>\n As a plug-in hybrid, the B5 has a 31.8kWh battery that Denza claims will offer up to 90km of pure electric driving range<\/b>. Together with the internal combustion engine, Denza says the B5 can deliver a driving range of up to 1,000km<\/b>. That\u2019s enough to get you to Genting Highlands and back on a single tank and a single charge.<\/p>\n Speaking of charging, the B5 can charge at up to 11kW AC and 100kW DC<\/b>. A full charge with a sufficiently powerful DC charger should therefore take less than half an hour.<\/p>\n In the centre console you\u2019ll find a refrigerated cubby hole.<\/p>\n Photo: Denza<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Inside, the B5 cocoons the driver and its passengers in leather seats and a 16-speaker Devialet audio system<\/b>. The front seats are also ventilated and have massage functions. The main infotainment display is 15.6 inches, while the instrument cluster is 12.3 inches. The centre console also features a refrigerated storage area that\u2019s great for keeping drinks cool. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard.<\/p>\n The B5 should be an interesting proposition for well-heeled buyers looking for a rugged luxury SUV. It\u2019s priced competitively and offers an attractive suite of features. The ability to use it like a pure EV should be enticing, particularly for customers who have easy access to a charger.<\/p>\n The B5 in Leopard Gold.<\/p>\n Photo: Denza<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The Denza B5 is available now, and prices start at S$368,888<\/b> (inclusive of COE). However, Denza is offering a S$20,000 discount as part of a special early-bird promotion until 8 April 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nAvailability and pricing<\/h2>\n