A week with the Denza B5
Most SUVs proudly display what’s under the hood. A “2.8D,” “3.0,” or “V6” badge has long been the traditional measure of capability. As one of the pioneers of China’s push into the Philippine luxury vehicle market, the Denza B5 takes a different approach. Instead, a “4.6S” badge sits on its tailgate, referencing its claimed 0–100 km/h sprint in just 4.6 seconds. Rather than highlighting a more conventional metric, the B5 places the spotlight on outright performance. This philosophy extends beyond the badge, with the B5 placing greater emphasis on refinement, technology and the overall driving experience rather than the conventional benchmarks that have long defined the segment.
Developed under BYD’s premium Denza brand, the B5 enters the Philippine market as a competitor to well-established nameplates such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Built on BYD’s dedicated DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) platform, a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4 cylinder petrol engine works alongside dual electric motors that produce 200 kW and 360 Nm at the front and 285 kW and 400 Nm at the rear for a combined output of almost 680 horsepower and 760 Nm of torque. The result is sports-car-like performance in an SUV weighing over 2.8 tonnes.
A 31.8 kWh Blade Battery delivers approximately 100-110 km of all-electric range on full EV mode, while the combined petrol-electric system offers a claimed range exceeding 1,200 km. For most Filipino motorists, that means weekday commutes can be completed almost entirely on electricity, while road trips to Baguio, Bicol or Ilocos can be accomplished with minimal fuel stops. When the battery falls below around 25 percent, the 1.5-litre turbo 4 cylinder engine quietly comes to life, primarily acting as a generator rather than directly driving the wheels. The system also reserves battery capacity in tow mode, allowing the B5 to haul up to 3,000 kg (braked).
Dimensionally, the B5 measures 4,890 mm long, 1,970 mm wide and 1,920 mm tall, with a 2,800 mm wheelbase, placing it squarely alongside the Prado.
The B5’s interior immediately establishes its premium ambitions. Nappa leather upholstery, powered, ventilated, and massaging front seats, multiple digital displays and a minimalist dashboard create an upscale atmosphere that rivals considerably more expensive European SUVs.
Seat comfort is arguably one of the vehicle’s strongest attributes. The front seats feature excellent back and thigh support, complemented by massage functions that make long journeys remarkably comfortable. Rear passengers are treated even better, with generous legroom, exceptional seat cushioning and under-thigh support that comfortably surpass the Ford Everest, Toyota Prado and even the Lexus GX. Whether commuting through Metro Manila or embarking on long provincial drives, the cabin remains an exceptionally pleasant place to spend time.
Despite these positive attributes, while the displays themselves are sharp and responsive, the software lacks the polish expected at this price point. Fonts, graphics and menus feel somewhat generic, while the indicator and wiper stalks are shared with far more affordable BYD models, slightly detracting from the otherwise premium experience.
The Denza B5 features one of the most sophisticated suspension systems ever fitted to a BYD product, complete with a hydraulic suspension setup designed to maximise ride comfort. Despite its complexity,
it retains BYD’s signature “detached” driving feel, with the B5 managing to feel soft, quiet and reasonably refined.
This is where the B5 differs most noticeably from rivals such as the Prado and Ford Everest. Those diesel SUVs offer heavier steering and a greater sense of driver involvement, but they also transmit more engine noise and road vibration into the cabin. The Denza instead prioritises refinement. Its cabin is well insulated, road imperfections are absorbed with ease, and even when the petrol engine starts generating electricity, it operates quietly at low revs unless put into sport or race mode. The dual electric motors provide abundant torque once underway, making overtaking and highway merging effortless, with the B5’s torque kicking in quickly and seemingly effortlessly. Should drivers need to go off-road, the B5 features a vast array of drivemodes and quirky features such as the ability to “tank turn” that complement its already impressive performance excellently.
Advanced driver assistance systems perform well overall. Adaptive cruise control and the excellent 360-degree camera system inspire confidence, especially when manoeuvring such a large SUV. However, the Level 2 autonomous driving functions could use further refinement, with the emergency lane keep assist occasionally intervening more aggressively than necessary. Fortunately, unlike earlier BYD products, audible speed warnings can now be disabled permanently.
Priced at P3,798,000, the Denza B5 enters the Philippine market costing roughly P1 million less than Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado. While the Prado remains the benchmark for long-term ownership and rugged dependability, the Denza B5 demonstrates just how rapidly the premium SUV landscape is evolving. For buyers willing to embrace new technology, it represents an extremely compelling value proposition currently available in the Philippine market—combining luxury, capability, efficiency and sports car-like performance at a price that might make even the most loyal buyer think twice.
