2026 Denza B8 Review

It is not an overstatement to say that the arrival of the Denza B8 - and simultaneously the smaller, five-seat Denza B5 - will probably change the 4x4 landscape in Australia forever.

Acting as the premium sub-brand of BYD, Denza is coming out swinging against heavyweights like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Lexus LX.

The B8 is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) luxury off-roader that offers unbelievable value on paper. It boasts ludicrous amounts of power, crazy off-road angles, highly advanced hydraulic suspension tech, and an interior that rivals cars twice its price.

However, while it impresses immensely in some areas, the execution leaves a lot to be desired in others. Here is everything you need to know about the Denza B8.

How much does the Denza B8 cost?

Considering the level of technology and luxury on offer, the pricing of the Denza B8 severely undercuts its main rivals. It acts as a gateway to automotive luxury at a price point that is virtually unmatched in the large off-road SUV segment.

For context, as of early 2026, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series now starts at $99,340 before on-road costs for the bare-bones GX and pushes nearly $148,000 for the top-spec Sahara ZX.

Over at Nissan, the current Patrol Y62 starts at $95,600 for the base Ti (with the incoming Y63 expected to jump well over the $100,000 mark), while the five-door Land Rover Defender 110 kicks off at $100,900 and easily sails past $150,000 for well-specced six-cylinder models. To get this level of equipment and premium feel in any of those European or Japanese rivals, you would be spending well over $130,000.

2026 Denza B8 Pricing:

• B8 7-Seat (7S) - $91,000
• B8 6-Seat (6S) - $97,990

Note: Prices exclude on-road costs.

Spaceship Design Meets Muscular Off-Roader

Denza claims the B8’s design is inspired by spaceships, and you can certainly see some sci-fi imagery in the LED daytime running lights and sequential indicators.

However, its overall silhouette is quite boxy and traditional, leaning heavily into a rugged, muscular 4x4 aesthetic. It is an absolutely massive vehicle - measuring exactly 5,195mm in length, 1,954mm in width, and standing 1,905mm tall, all riding on a long 2,920mm wheelbase.

Up front, a massive grille dominates the fascia, accompanied by a plastic bonnet insert and an array of cameras and sensors required for its active safety suite. It sits on 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in excellent Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres. Other notable touches include pop-out door handles (which are manually actionable from the inside as well), massive roof rails, tinted privacy glass, and a nicely integrated full-size spare wheel mounted on the rear. Buyers also have a choice of six premium exterior paint finishes: Eclipse Black, Alpine White, Nebula Silver, Dawn Gold, Oryx Black, and Jasper Brown.

It isn’t traditional in its beauty - nor would I call it actually beautiful - but it looks purposeful and makes a strong statement on the road, which is always more fun than playing it safe.

A Masterclass in High-Tech Luxury

Stepping inside the Denza B8, you are immediately isolated from the outside world. The acoustic double-glazed glass and NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) treatment make it feel incredibly serene.

The cabin is draped in ultra-soft Nappa leather with high-quality soft-touch materials, wood trims, and metal accents everywhere you touch. The front seats are sensational - they offer heating, ventilation, and a fantastic multi-mode massage function. Above, a large electric-powered glass sunroof floods the cabin with natural light, further elevating the premium feel.

Ergonomically, the cabin will feel familiar if you have spent time in other BYD vehicles of recent years. The centre console features a layout of chunky, tactile physical buttons for your drive modes and off-road functions, making them easy to operate on the move. A particularly neat party trick is the electronic pop-up drive selector that seamlessly folds away when the car is turned off.

Tech dominates the dashboard, featuring a massive 17.3-inch intelligent infotainment screen offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 50-inch AR Heads-Up Display. The main screen's UI can feel a little overwhelming at first, but it includes a swipe-down shortcut menu from the top edge. This menu is fully customisable and is the perfect place to pin a shortcut for turning off the intrusive driver monitoring system.

While the climate controls are housed entirely within the infotainment screen, Denza, and largely BYD have a workaround so you don't have to menu-dive while driving. From anywhere in the system, you can simply use three fingers to swipe up and down on the screen to adjust the temperature, or swipe left and right to control the fan speed.

Attention to detail is a strong point. You get dual 50W wireless chargers, a centre console fridge that can cool down to -6°C or act as a hotbox up to 50°C, and deeply adjustable cup holders. If there is one gripe, it’s the 18-speaker Devialet sound system; despite its 800W rating, the audio quality requires a lot of manual tuning and is ultimately somewhat underwhelming.

First-Class Travel in the Second Row

The second row of the Denza B8 feels incredibly special. In the 7-seat (7S) version, legroom is absolutely cavernous, and the seats can be power-adjusted to slide back and forth. You get heated and ventilated outboard seats, while the 6-seat (6S) version upgrades these to full captain's chairs with massage functions and power-adjustable leg rests.

There is an impressive level of integration back here. Passengers can access the centre console fridge from the rear, control the massive panoramic sunshade for the large sunroof via a touchscreen or clever multi-function door switches, all of which make the back seats feel incredibly spacious and airy.

Air vents are roof-mounted - a must for Australian summers. Overall, I’d be very happy to spend countless hours as a backseat passenger princess in a Denza B8 through the Australian outback.

Surprisingly Usable

Accessing the third row is intelligently designed. Pressing a single button automatically slides the second-row seats forward, and the 60/40 split is oriented perfectly for kerbside access in Australia.

Once in the back, even an adult measuring 5'10" can fit reasonably well. Headroom is good, and toe room is decent, better still if the second row passengers slide their seats forward slightly.

The seats are comfortable enough, offer power reclining, and you even get your own air vents, cup holders, and USB-C ports integrated into the rear speaker housings. Solid for a third row!

Cavernous Space, Dumb Tailgate

Even with the third row in place, the B8 offers a decent 147 litres of boot space. Drop the third row via the automatic buttons, and that expands to an enormous 920 litres. If you fold the second row down - also via automatic buttons - you unlock a space so cavernous you could probably list it on the rental market for $675 a week. Buttons in the boot also allow you to raise or lower the hydraulic suspension to make loading heavy items easier.

However, there is a glaring omission: the tailgate is entirely manual. On a vehicle this expensive and heavy, trying to close the massive rear door (especially on an incline) is a genuine chore.

Heavy Hauler with Payload Caveats

Towing is rated at a competitive 3,500kg (braked) and impressively comes with a 12-pin wiring harness and tow hitch receiver as standard, allowing you to power caravan appliances, like a fridge, straight out of the box.

However, you must keep a very close eye on your payload limits. The B8 has a hefty kerb weight of 3,290kg and a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 3,992kg, which leaves a rather tight payload of just 702kg. If you are hooking up a heavy 3.5-tonne caravan with a substantial tow ball down weight, you need to factor in the rear axle maximum load of 2,255kg. Loading up the cabin with six or seven adults and luggage will eat into your legal margins extremely quickly, not to mention destroying your fuel economy and electric range.

The overall Gross Combination Mass (GCM) is rated at 7,174kg.

Ludicrous Hybrid Power

The powertrain in the Denza B8 is an absolute monster. It pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine (which happily runs on 91 RON) with dual electric motors in a parallel series hybrid configuration.

The combined output is a staggering 425kW of power and 760Nm of torque. Denza claims a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.8 seconds. In our real-world testing with four adults and luggage on a hot day, it achieved 6.06 seconds - still an incredibly impressive feat for a 3.3-tonne SUV. The system intelligently switches between acting as a generator for the battery and directly driving the wheels at highway speeds for maximum efficiency. It even supports 6.6kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) to power your campsite.

Safe, Robust, and Practical

Underneath is a 36.8kWh BYD Blade LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery. Blade batteries are renowned for their safety, easily passing nail penetration tests without thermal runaway, and their LFP chemistry means charging to 100% is actively encouraged without battery degradation.

It supports 11kW AC charging and up to 120kW DC fast charging, and features incredibly practical Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability with a massive 6.6kW maximum output, allowing you to easily power caravan appliances, heavy-duty tools, or even an entire campsite off the grid. Denza claims 115km of EV-only range on the NEDC cycle (or 100km WLTC). In our testing, electric consumption averaged around 35kWh/100km in EV-only mode. With a usable battery capacity of nearly 37kWh, that 100km EV-only range claim isn't actually too far from reality before the petrol engine needs to intervene.

Heavy, Floaty, and Unsettled

This is where the Denza B8 feels like a bit of a letdown. Behind the wheel, the B8 feels like a "land boat." You feel every single kilogram of its 3.3-tonne kerb weight. Despite the trick hydraulic suspension, the pitch and roll going around corners are pronounced enough to induce a sickly feeling after an hour of driving.

The weight simply doesn't settle properly, and the vehicle feels nervous at higher speeds. The steering is incredibly vague, making it a struggle to confidently position the car through corners. You can attempt to remedy this by switching through the various on-road drive modes - such as Eco, Comfort, and Sport - which alter the throttle response and add some weight to the steering, but it only does so much for a vehicle of this mass.

The DiSus-P hydraulic suspension does allow you to manually adjust the ride height up and down using a physical toggle on the centre console. You can lower the suspension to hunker the car down for slightly better aerodynamics and efficiency on the highway, or raise it for clearance.

Where the B8 truly excels on-road is its NVH levels. The acoustic double-glazed glass and extensive sound deadening mean the cabin is whisper quiet, isolating you beautifully from wind and tyre roar. However, when the battery's state of charge (SOC) drops below 25%, we observed fuel economy hovering around 11L/100km, which is something to factor in for longer regional road trips.

Adding to the on-road frustrations is the active safety experience (ADAS). The "intelligent" cruise control and lane-centring systems are poor. If the system cannot find a very clear painted line on the left side of the road, it goes hunting and actively tries to pull the vehicle into the gravel shoulder. Furthermore, the driver monitoring system is incredibly hyperactive, beeping at you constantly for minor head movements. While you can turn it off via a swipe-down shortcut menu, it defaults back to 'on' every time you start the car.

Ultimately, the straight-line speed is immense - I clocked the 0-100km/h launch at 6 seconds flat with four occupants and luggage - and the ride around town is very quiet, but the ADAS software and the suspension tuning desperately need a more localised calibration for Australian roads, where buyers expect firmer, more controlled dynamics and less intrusive safety tech.

An Absolute Spec Monster

Take the Denza B8 off the tarmac, and its on-road flaws are… mostly forgotten. The DiSus-P intelligent hydraulic suspension is a game-changer. It allows the vehicle to lift by 90mm or drop by 50mm, granting an insane maximum ground clearance of 310mm and a wading depth of 890mm.

Approach and departure angles max out at 34 and 35 degrees, respectively. With 16 selectable drive modes - including specific settings for Mud, Sand, Rock, and Mountain - you can tackle just about anything. These modes cleverly alter traction control, torque distribution, and suspension height to suit the terrain. There is even a handy 'creep' mode that acts as an off-road cruise control for tricky ascents and descents. The 7-seater comes with an electronic locking rear differential, while the 6-seater adds a front locking differential too. Paired with the instant torque of the electric motors and a low-range transfer gear on the rear axle, it crawls over rocks effortlessly.

However, you can't completely ignore the B8's sheer dimensions. It does feel very large and heavy when you take it off-road, and it has a way of 'shrinking' whatever trail you are on, making it feel like you are cramped for space on narrower tracks.

It also wasn't a completely flawless technological experience. We kept getting an 'ADAS temporarily unavailable' warning when in Rock or Mountain mode, which seemed to be a software glitch that caused the car to beep every few seconds. Thankfully, this wasn't an issue in other modes, but it is certainly something that needs an over-the-air update. Despite that, the cabin isolation remains so good off-road that it almost feels like you're playing an off-road simulator in your living room.

5-Star Crash Rating

The Denza B8 recently scored a full 5-Star ANCAP rating, which is fantastic news for families. It comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of airbags and standard safety equipment, ensuring excellent crash protection for occupants. As mentioned in the on-road section, it features a full suite of active safety tech, though the calibration of the lane-centring and driver monitoring systems currently leaves a lot to be desired.

Here is a breakdown of the key safety features by model grade:

B8 7-Seat (7S):

• 13-Airbag Protection (including front, side, far-side, full-length curtain airbags, and third-row side airbags)
• 360° View Monitor with Smart Driving Cameras
• Night Vision System
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD) & Door Opening Warning (DOW)
• Forward & Rearward Collision Warning (FCW / RCW)
• Forward & Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Braking (FCTA / FCTB / RCTA / RCTB)
• Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
• Driver Distraction and Fatigue Monitoring (DDM / DFM)
• Child Presence Detection (CPD)
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
• Heads Up Display (W-HUD)

B8 6-Seat (6S):

• Carries over all active safety, radar, and camera systems from the 7S
• Adjusted airbag layout tailored for the 2-2-2 captain's chair configuration

Efficiency Meets Value

As a BYD-backed product, the Denza B8 will benefit from an established and rapidly growing local network. This brings with it BYD's standard Australian warranty setup, providing six years or 150,000km of vehicle coverage, alongside a separate eight-year or 160,000km warranty for the high-voltage battery.

Servicing intervals are set at a generous 12 months or 20,000km, with prices capped at $3,420 over five years.

Efficiency is the real trump card here. If you keep the battery charged, fuel consumption is rated at an incredibly low 3.9L/100km (WLTC). Even with a depleted battery (under 25% SOC), a vehicle of this size returning around 11L/100km in the real world is highly competitive against diesel rivals like the Prado or LandCruiser 300.

What do you get with the Denza B8?

2026 Denza B8 7-Seat (7S) standard equipment:

• 20-inch alloy wheels in Gunmetal finish
• Michelin Pilot Sport EV 275/55R20 tyres
• Full-size spare tyre
• DiSus-P intelligent damping hydraulic suspension
• Rear mechanical differential lock
• V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality
• Towing hitch, tow ball, drawbar, hitch receiver, and 12-pin plug
• LED headlights (with Matrix Assistant and Follow Me Home)
• LED daytime running lights and taillights
• Front cornering lamps
• Openable electric sunroof with electric sunshade
• Double-layer acoustic glass for all doors
• Rear privacy glass
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Soft-closing doors
• Power-adjustable, folding, and heated exterior mirrors
• Fixed side steps
• 2-3-2 seating configuration (7 seats)
• Premium leather upholstery
• Driver seat 8-way power adjustable
• Passenger seat 6-way power adjustable
• Front seats heating, ventilation, and massage function
• Front seat 4-way power adjustable lumbar and power adjustable legrests
• Driver and passenger seat position memory
• Second row 4-way power adjustable seats
• Second row heated and ventilated seats
• Second row electric folding seats for third-row access
• Third row electrically foldable seats
• 3-zone climate control
• Car refrigerator and hotbox
• Multi-colour ambient lighting
• 17.3-inch intelligent infotainment screen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 12.3-inch driver instrument cluster
• 50-inch AR Heads-Up Display (W-HUD)
• 800W Devialet 18-speaker sound system
• Dual 50W wireless phone chargers
• USB-A and USB-C ports with 12V accessory socket
• Keyless entry and start (plus NFC, UWB, and Bluetooth key)
• Electronic pop-up drive selector
• PM2.5 high-efficiency filter and negative ion air purifier

2026 Denza B8 6-Seat (6S) adds:

• 2-2-2 seating configuration (captain's chairs)
• Premium NAPPA leather upholstery
• Front mechanical differential lock
• Second row massage seats
• Second row power-adjustable legrests
• Second row front passenger adjustment buttons ("Boss Key")

Final thoughts on the Denza B8

If you have a bit of cash to splash on something genuinely special and luxurious, but you still actually intend to get it muddy on weekend off-road trips, the Denza B8 is a fascinating and highly capable proposition. At this price point, the interior luxury, the technology, and the raw rock-crawling capability are completely unmatched. It makes established, far more expensive rivals feel decidedly ancient on the inside.

However, you must be willing to accept its flaws, and it certainly still needs improvement in a few key areas. The software gremlins and overly intrusive safety systems are frustrating, the manual tailgate is a glaring omission, and the floaty, heavy on-road driving dynamics mean it isn't the planted grand tourer you might hope it to be.

Crucially, driver skill and common sense must be taken into consideration. With a ludicrous 425kW of power on tap, propelling a 3.3-tonne mass, this vehicle gathers speed alarmingly fast. If you don't watch your speed heading into a corner, that immense weight and soft suspension tuning can quickly get out of control.

Overall, would I recommend the Denza B8? Yes, absolutely, provided you understand exactly what you are buying. It is an off-road powerhouse and a technological marvel for the money. If Denza can issue an over-the-air update to fix the lane-centring and driver monitoring, and perhaps tweak the suspension for local roads, they will have an absolute world-beater on their hands.