2026 Denza B8 review

How much does a 2026 Denza B8 cost?

In Australia, the Denza B8 seven-seater is priced from $91,000 plus on-road costs. A higher-spec six-seat variant featuring plush individual middle-row captain’s chairs is priced at $97,990 plus ORCs.

The Denza B8 pricing is no doubt designed to undercut most direct competitors while delivering a comprehensive list of standard equipment. For context, a fully loaded Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series which has long been the most popular and capable vehicle in this segment can cost well above $120,000 drive-away. A Land Rover with similar luxury or plug-in tech (like a Defender PHEV or Range Rover Sport) typically starts from around $130,000 and can range to well over $200,000

Both Denza B8 models are powered by the same 425kW/760Nm plug-in hybrid system combining powerful dual electric motors and a 36.8kWh blade battery with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

Pitching to be the ultimate in urban family hauler and competent off-roader, the Denza B8’s underpinnings are extensive with advanced DiSus-P electronically controlled adaptive suspension, front (Denza B8 6S only) and rear locking differentials and four-wheel drive mechanical low range gearing. All of the gear required for towing (except hitch and towball) is also included as standard so buyers won’t need to factor in much in the way of additional costs to get the Denza ready for a trailer or caravanning. The Denza will tow 750kg unbraked and up to 3500kg braked, standard with most of Australia's best cars for towing. A standard 12 pin socket allows camping gear to be powered direct from the B8's blade battery.

The Denza B8's technology inclusions are similarly impressive with a laundry list of features. Where other luxury marques choose to baffle buyers with myriad expensive options that can easily add five figures to the purchase price, Denza has chosen to include all of its features as standard,  leaving exterior paint colour choice as one of the only options for buyers.

Checking through the standard features list on paper, and in the metal is an extraordinary exercise. From the large 17.6-inch colour touchscreen which dominates the cabin to the 18- speaker premium sound system by Devialet to the heated, ventilated and massaging seats and high quality interior finishes, it’s clear Denza wants to present an compelling value proposition for Australian buyers.

Aiming for class-leading aftersales service, the Denza brand is supporting B8 buyers with a raft of offers including membership of its exclusive ‘House of Denza’ owners club which Harland says will offer money can’t buy opportunities. To showcase the kinds of activities which may be on offer, Denza hosted the first 10 Denza B8 buyers at the recent Liv Golf tournament, including an off-road activity and winery tour as part of the program.

What is the warranty for the Denza B8?

Denza offers a five-year/150,000km new vehicle warranty on the Denza B8 with an eight-year/160,000km warranty on the drive battery.

Servicing intervals are set at 12-month/20,000km and a prepaid package covering the first five years will cost $3420.

A concierge service is available for service bookings including courtesy cars. It is anticipated to include a pick up and drop off service as offered by Lexus dealers.

There are just seven Denza dealer locations around the country with plans to extend to 20 by the end of the year. Depending on locations, and given the initial sales interest in its products, the brand may choose to set up Denza-approved independent outlets to boost its servicing offerings.

More: BYD's Denza brand in Australia: What makes it different?

2026 Denza B8 exterior design

There's no mistaking the heft of the Denza B8. It's over 5.1m long and weighs 3290kg. This is a big and large SUV which is unapologetic in its exterior proportions.

The front end features a broad, squared-off grille flanked by slim LED headlights and wing-shaped daytime running lights, giving the B8 a modern, EV-like face. Along the sides, the B8’s sheer size is apparent. It is 1.9m tall which makes it nearly as big as a LandCruiser 300 series. It sits on large 20-inch alloy wheels shod with expensive Michelin EV tuned tyres, with subtly flared wheel arches that lend a muscular stance.

On the rear, the B8 has a side-hinged tailgate with a full-size spare wheel mounted on the rear door – a nod to classic 4x4 designs. Denza adds a modern twist: the spare wheel cover incorporates its own LED lighting elements, creating a futuristic signature at night which it says is inspired by space.

Flush fitting door handles give a hint to the Denza's electric underpinnings while side steps are essential to clamber into the Denza B8's capacious interior.

More: Does your electric vehicle match its driving range claim?

What is the Denza B8 like inside?

Step inside and the Denza B8’s cabin immediately feels plush and high-tech, much closer to a luxury European SUV than a utilitarian Japanese 4WD.

Nearly every surface is covered in soft-touch materials or leather, with tasteful stitching and metallic accents and buttons throughout. In the range-topping 6-seat (6S) variant, you get two individual middle-row captain’s chairs with power adjustment, heating, ventilation and even massaging function with nappa leather befitting of its higher price point. Both options have a standard black upholstery but a Jasper Brown option is available. The 7-seat B8 7S has a more conventional second-row bench, also leather-trimmed and heated/ventilated, and a power-folding third row for extra seating or cargo flexibility.

Up front, the driving position is commanding and the seats both cosseting and supportive. There’s a real sense of space; headroom and legroom are generous in all three rows, thanks to the B8’s huge overall dimensions. Third row passengers won't feel hard done by with charging sockets and roof-mounted vents available and slightly raised stadium-style seating. A panoramic sunroof with power sunshade floods the interior with light.

Details like soft-close doors, acoustic glass and active noise cancellation contribute to a remarkably hushed ride on the highway, far from the labouring of a conventionally powered diesel of V8 petrol SUV.

If there’s a downside to the B8’s flashy cockpit, it’s that nearly every function is controlled via the central touchscreen, with very few physical buttons. Adjusting something as simple as fan speed or drive mode requires tapping through on-screen menus, which can be distracting on the move. Drivers coming from more conventional SUVs may face a steep learning curve with the B8’s plethora of tech features, especially the off-road trickery. 

More: Understanding Victoria's inbuilt device and car screen laws

Is the Denza B8 good to drive?

With its plug-in hybrid powertrain generating 425 kW and 760 Nm, the Denza B8’s straight-line performance is impressive for a near three-and-a-half-tonne SUV. BYD claims it will reach 100 km/h in about 4.8 seconds which is on par with a V8 Mercedes G-Class. 

The off-road hardware and sheer bulk inevitably impact the B8’s on-road manners. Ride comfort is generally pretty convincing, although the chassis is challenged by road undulations and unable to even out bumps and corrugations resulting in an unsettled ride. On the open highway, the B8 is a truly effortless cruiser, generating little noise at speed. 

When cornering, you’re reminded that this is a tall, heavy body-on-frame 4WD, not a sports SUV. There’s noticeable body roll, and a general lack of agility as might be experienced in lighter, sports oriented SUVs. Like straight line undulations, mid-corner bumps can also unsettle the B8's composure slightly. The brakes (a mix of regenerative and conventional discs) will bring the B8 to a halt from high speeds, but you do feel the weight behind you as you slow. 

None of these traits are deal-breakers for the B8 – this is a cruiser, built more for covering long distances in comfort than dealing with twisty roads.  

How does the Denza B8 drive off-road?

The Denza B8 is built on the robust ladder-frame Dual Mode Off-road (DMO) 4×4 architecture used in the BYD Shark 6. This combines a permanent dual-motor electric 4WD with a turbocharged petrol engine that can directly drive the wheels when extra range or torque is needed. Unlike most plug-in hybrid SUVs which don't have an off-road focus, the B8 has the underpinnings of a traditional heavy-duty 4WD: a proper low-range transfer case, and even locking front and rear differentials (a front locker is standard only on the 6S model). 

We sampled the B8 off-road at South Australia's Skytrak where it was untroubled on long rocky inclines. Its dual electric motors deliver instant torque to all four wheels, allowing precise control when crawling over rocks. When extra power or battery recharge is required, the 2.0-litre turbo engine automatically kicks in to assist or top up the battery. There are arguably too many off-road drive modes to choose from with tug of war mode and rage mode intriguing but untested.

With the adaptive suspension raised to maximum height, the B8 boasts up to 310 mm of ground clearance and Denza claims it can ford water up to 890 mm deep.  Approach and departure angles of around 34° and 35° (depending on suspension mode) are on par with a modified Land Rover Defender. In practice, we never came close to scraping a bumper or getting the chassis hung up, even over steep ruts and rock steps. The B8’s full suite of modern off road assistants – including hill descent control, a 360° camera system with underbody view, and even a 3D terrain projection on the infotainment screen are all helpful. The ability to creep in near silence on electric power alone but enjoying the instant torque and precise throttle modulation without the noise of a diesel engine, combine to give an off-road experience which is all effortless.

More: Research and compare 4x4 offroad vehicles

How efficient is the Denza B8?

The expected efficiency of a plug-in hybrid vehicle is difficult to calculate as it can vary depending on a number of factors including distance and battery state of charge. On our long-distance drive we were always going to be accessing the 91-litre fuel tank and for our trip returned a result on the dash of 1.2kWh and 8.8L/100km with the battery held at 70 per cent capacity. 

More: Hybrid vs plug-in hybrid vs mild hybrid vs electric vehicle: What's the difference?

How safe is the Denza B8?

The Denza B8 features 11 airbags, including full-length curtain airbags for all three rows, and a robust body structure designed to protect the battery from damage. Denza has built in a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard across both six- and seven-seat variants. While the B8 is yet to be tested by ANCAP, Denza’s parent BYD has a strong track record for introducing five-star rated cars into Australia and there's no reason not to expect the Denza B8 to secure a similar result. 

Denza B8 ADAS features include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition. 

The six-seat B8 6S variant adds a night vision system and a head-up display, both of which are useful features. Driver fatigue monitoring and emergency lane keeping assist are also standard, but the driver monitoring alarms verge on the annoying.

More: The safest new cars in Australia

How does the Denza B8 compare?

Denza’s approach with the B8 has been to throw everything at the seven-seat large SUV category in order to make it stick. Of note is its price which is intended to make buyers sit up and take notice.

It's luxury finishes are likely to appeal to buyers who want to move their family in comfort while the technology game is strong, besting many European brands for half the price. The off-road claims and engineering are also impressive (and somewhat overwhelming with the array of drive mode choices).

In execution, the Denza B8 drives more like a very powerful Toyota LandCruiser than like a sports SUV. Drivers who will spend more time on the tarmac than off-road will find crisper handling in, say a used Range Rover Sport or BMW X5 for a comparable price, but these options come with more expensive maintenance costs. Buyers who plan to tackle off-road environments may find the Denza intriguing in its electric approach to the challenge,  though its important to note that Denza's dealer network and aftersales support is not as extensive as Toyota's in regional areas.

Explore the Denza range, pricing and specs with RACV Car Match

Should I buy a Denza B8?

The Denza B8 has interesting off-road potential with an unique blend of ruggedness and high-tech innovation. The big unknown, of course, is long-term durability and regional support – crucial factors for Australia’s remote touring and towing enthusiasts.

BYD has rapidly proven itself in the mainstream EV market, but the brand's challenges in meeting customer demand for servicing and aftersales support are to be noted here. With just seven Denza outlets to service the initial 1000+ orders, that's a lot of customers to keep happy, let alone the next wave of buyers who will likely be tempted by its value offer once they see this new range of SUVs on the road.

But after our first drive, the Denza B8 is a powerful, tech-laden and impressively capable plug-in hybrid 4WD that delivers genuine luxury and off-road ability for the price, and is very much worth a test drive.

^{The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.}