In just a few years, BYD was able to establish solid footing in the local automotive industry, thanks mostly in part to its plug-in hybrids. The Chinese car brand was a true market disruptor, and it was crucial in the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles in the Philippines.
The brand recently entered new territory, however, with its premium brand Denza. Unlike BYD, Denza has its work cut out for it, as it aims to compete with the likes of Lexus. Affordability won’t be the name of the game—for buyers in the more premium segments, quality will be key.
Locally, Denza’s first offerings included a people-hauler looking to rival the LM, and two 4×4 SUVs that want to entice would-be buyers away from the likes of the Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruiser. I was recently able to try out one of those: the Denza B5. While it’s not as big as the B8, it’s a luxurious SUV in its own right, and still poses as a potential full-size SUV alternative, especially since it’s a proper plug-in hybrid. But does it actually have what it takes to entice SUV buyers looking for something upmarket?
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The only rugged-looking BYD I know is the Shark 6, and while that does look good from certain angles, there are a few areas where I think the carmaker missed the mark. Denza, meanwhile, appears to have its design game on point. The B5 is a hybrid, but it isn’t trying to look ‘electrified’ in any way—in the sense that electric vehicles tend to look a little more futuristic than most cars.
You’d be forgiven if you mistook the B5 for a regular diesel-powered 4×4 with the way it’s styled, and I think that’s actually a good thing. It’s a burly, beefy-looking SUV, and it looks very macho from whichever angle you look at it. This particular colorway pops nicely, though the blacked-out finish on the wheels tends to make the spokes look washed out. The design, however, is quite balanced and cohesive from the front to the rear. Actually, even as you move to the inside.
In the cabin, you’ll find various layers of interior material. There are plenty of different textures, but you’ll also see how ‘cohesive’ the design is. The rectangular shapes with the rounded corners can be found all around, which I think also match nicely with the headlights. That light signature establishes that aesthetic on the outside, and it’s emphasized even further once you step inside.
There’s also an abundance of space here. Even with all the panels protruding from the doors and the center console, it still feels roomy in the cockpit. There’s also legroom for days in the second row, and I’m sure taller individuals will appreciate that. There are a number of nifty cubbies for storage—there’s one on the dash in front of the passenger seat and one underneath the center console.
Overall, the cabin feels quite comfortable, and it’s also pleasing to the eyes. I like how the accents adorning the inside blend, from the contrasting plastic to the stitched leather. Yes, that also applies to the crystal buttons on the center stack, as well as the gear selector that pops out when you turn the vehicle on. The materials used here feel solid, and the seats are plush. It’s a nice place to be in, but we haven’t even gotten to all the niceties you can enjoy here.
More on the extra tech later—let’s talk powertrain first, because the B5’s got quite an impressive one.
Powering the Denza B5 is a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with a 31.8kWh battery and dual electric motors. This hybrid system produces a healthy 570hp and 760Nm of torque, and on the road, it’s as healthy as advertised. You’ll never find yourself looking for power with the B5, as in any situation I was in, I always had more than enough. And mind you, I drove this thing far and even went off-roading with it, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to say I drove it in all the conditions the average owner would. It’s surprising, if I’m being honest, just how quickly this massive SUV flies off the line with Sport mode on.
It’s decently efficient, too. I netted 12.3km/L after several hundred kilometers of driving with a whole lot of idling here and there. That’s without even trying, and without even bothering with charging. For an SUV that supposedly weighs similarly to a Toyota Land Cruiser 300, that’s really not too shabby. Of course, if you’re going to be driving this in the city on weekdays—which can both be good and bad—you also have the option to charge and just use battery power. That’s the beauty of having a PHEV. This one has 100km of EV range on a single charge, which should suffice for the day-to-day movements around Metro Manila.
As mentioned, though, driving this mainly in the city can be good and bad. Good because ride comfort is excellent and it’s light to maneuver; bad because it’s big—there’s just no going around it.
The ride is a bit on the firm side, but I find the suspension tuned just right. Unlike in the B8, where it can feel a bit bouncy when driving over bigger road imperfections, the B5 manages most bumps and potholes easily. There aren’t too many oscillations felt inside the cabin, which was a surprise since I had my expectations set based on how the B8 rode, so driving this on EDSA or C5 on a daily basis shouldn’t be a problem. Granted, there’s still noticeable body roll through corners, but that’s to be expected with a vehicle of this size.
If you’re crawling through traffic or just making your way through some tight streets, you might find the B5 a bit cumbersome to pilot. It’s tall and gives you a commanding view of the road ahead, but its sheer size also means there are inevitable blind spots where motorcycles will also inevitably pass through when you’re in a gridlock. There are driver aids like cameras and sensors to help out with that, but driving this during rush hour will still require extra care.
One thing I should note, though, is that the brakes could use a little more stopping power. When I tested the B5 in hard-braking situations, the brake pedal felt just a bit spongy, and the vehicle didn’t quite feel like it could really stop on a dime. All that being said, I consider this a minor complaint, as these scenarios shouldn’t be something drivers should worry about often (if at all) if they drive carefully enough, anyway.
Now, if it’s off-roading you’re wondering about, you’ll be glad to know that the Denza B5 is as capable as any 4×4 can get. Even newbie off-roaders will have no problems driving through mud or sand (ask us how we know), as the vehicle and its computers will be doing most of the work in such conditions. Just select the appropriate off-road setting by twisting the knob on the steering wheel (kudos for physical controls), then you’re good to go. Off-roading for dummies is what I call it. Of course, purists will have problems with these, but that’s just how it is with these newer, smarter machines. Then again, we haven’t tried this yet in hardcore off-roading situations, so maybe that’s something the seasoned veterans can try out in their respective reviews.
The B5 is, hands down, one of the most feature-packed SUVs I’ve driven this year. There are the basics, like the massive 15.6-inch infotainment system with the 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The latter feels too cluttered with information, but at least the touchscreen head unit comes with a solid Devialet 16-speaker setup that, if my memory serves me right, sounds better than what you get in the B8. But I digress.
There’s also ADAS available, and the suite includes the whole kit and kaboodle. Worth noting is that the adaptive cruise control that also works at low speeds is straightforward to operate, and the lane-keeping system isn’t too intrusive when in use.
Apart from the basics, you get a chiller-slash-heater under the center armrest in the front row. You can use it for both food and beverage, though I mostly just used it to cool drinks. First-row passengers also get most of the good stuff, as these front seats also come with ventilation and massage functions. Best believe I used the massage feature to the fullest during the time I had the B5.
The Denza B5, on paper and in actuality, has the engine, the underpinnings, and the tech to compete against its competitors. At P3.798 million, it’s also priced decently, especially when you compare it to the likes of the LC and the Nissan Patrol. The former has a hybrid that stickers for three million more, while the latter has none. The Denza B5 doesn’t sound like such a bad deal now, does it?
Its biggest barrier, however, might be its badge. It doesn’t have the people’s trust quite yet, as it isn’t a household name like BYD is, and that could be enough to sway potential buyers away. These same buyers have pockets deep enough for a full-size SUV, and they’ll most definitely be more brand-conscious than those buying a mass-market hybrid.
Brands and badges aside, the Denza B5 is a solid premium SUV. While it doesn’t have the reputation just yet, in and of itself, it’s a properly engineered vehicle that’s worth a second look.
Price: P3,798,000
Powertrain: 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline I4 + 31.8kWh battery and front & rear electric motors
Transmission: Electric hybrid system drive
Power: 570hp
Torque: 670Nm
Layout: Part-time 4WD
Seating: Five
Score: 9/10
