Denza B8

While its exterior design looks rugged and imposing, its interior adopts a softer and more refined approach. Its cabin comes with a blend of soft-touch leather surfaces and genuine wood trims, offering a comfortable and sophisticated feel. The higher-spec Premium features a 2+2+2 style three-row seating distribution, while the base Dynamic gets the 2+3+2 counterpart. The latter comes with genuine leather seats, while the former offers premium Nappa leather seats for a more exclusive and luxurious riding experience. 

Additionally, both trims are equipped with massage and ventilation functions for their front and center seats. However, only the higher trim gets power-adjustable legrests for front and middle seats, as well as a front seat wing adjustment function. This model line’s cabin offers impressive spaciousness all around and a generous trunk space when the third-row seats are folded.

Up front, the driver gets an ultra-intelligent interactive cockpit (D-Link) that consists of a 12.3-inch embedded full LCD 3D instrument cluster, a multi-control leather steering wheel, and an aircraft-like center console, which offers a modern gear lever and physical controls for the driving modes. Owners of the Premium trim also get a head-up display, a night vision system, and a digital rear view mirror. 

Meanwhile, all passengers can enjoy a 17.3-inch ultra-HD center control suspension screen that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, an OTA remote upgrade feature, WIFI hotspot and 4G network connection, a four-zone voice command system, and comes with a 360-degree view monitor. Its infotainment display is linked to an 18-speaker Devialet audio system, which delivers an immersive sound experience.

In terms of convenience, this SUV comes with six USB ports (Type-A and Type-C), dual 50W wireless phone chargers in front, a 12V power socket, and a car refrigerator. It also features a multi-color ambient lighting system. 

The Denza B8 features a boxy SUV look that exudes a mix of ruggedness and elegance wherever it goes. At the front, it has a confident-looking fascia flanked by LED automatic matrix headlamps with C-shaped LED DRLs. For increased visibility, this SUV also gets cornering lamps. A two-toned rugged-looking bumper completes its overall front design.

Moreover, it features a muscular, hypermodern side profile, accentuated by gloss black finishes and soft-closing doors with pop-out door handles. It flaunts a floating roof design and an electric sunroof with a sunshade up top, as well as bulged fenders and side skirts at the bottom. It also comes with fixed side steps for easier ingress and egress. 

Meanwhile, its modern, rugged personality carries over to its rear. It sports LED combination lamps with C-shaped tail lights and an LED high-mounted brake light for added safety. It features a swing-out tailgate with a spare tyre cover mounted on it, giving it a classic off-road SUV vibe. Its rear door also comes with a privacy glass. 

In terms of dimensions, the Denza B8 measures 5,195 mm in length, 1,994 mm in width, and 1,905 mm in height. This plug-in hybrid SUV comes with a 2,920-mm wheelbase and runs on 20-inch wheels. 

The Denza B8 comes with front and rear Double Wishbone suspension equipped with the brand’s DiSus-P Intelligent Damping system. This SUV is very adaptable on different kinds of terrain, offering a supple riding experience even on rocky and muddy trails. Its off-roading capability is also enhanced by front and rear electronic differentials (the Dynamic trim only has one in the front). Meanwhile, in the city, it absorbs bumps and other road imperfections effortlessly. However, it is a bit of a struggle to maneuver this through tight traffic and crowded areas due to its hefty frame and heavy weight. On the plus side, this SUV comes with a Leopard Turn feature that reduces its overall turning radius on the road.

The B8 runs on Denza’s Electric Hybrid System (EHS) that combines dual permanent magnet synchronous motors with a 2L engine, producing 180 kW of maximum power and 380 Nm of maximum torque. Its front motor generates 200 kW of power and 360 Nm of torque, while the rear motor delivers 300 kW and 400 Nm. Its motors are powered by a 37-kWh BYD Blade battery pack that offers a 115-km NEDC pure electric range.

Combined, its hybrid system delivers 450 kW of power, 760 Nm of torque, and a 1,040-km NEDC range. This SUV comes mated to an electric drive system and utilizes a 4-wheel drivetrain (4WD). It is also equipped with multiple driving modes.

The B8 cruises at high speeds effortlessly, boasting an acceleration time (0-100 km/h) of 4.8 seconds. It runs with tremendous raw power and offers plenty of torque on tap, allowing it to confidently take on steep road inclines and hill climbs even with a full load. Yet, in the city, it remains very usable and refined, thanks to its efficient electric hybrid powertrain.

The Denza B8 is equipped with the brand’s DiPilot ADAS suite, as well as a wide range of active and passive safety and security features. Its DiPilot technology consists of adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, forward and rearward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, an ultrasonic radar system, a high precision millimeter wave radar, and a smart driving surround view system with a high-perception camera, among others. 

In terms of braking, it comes with front and rear ventilated discs. Its braking setup is also supported by an intelligent power brake control system, anti-lock brake system with electronic brakeforce distribution, hydraulic brake assist, and electronic stability control, to name a few.

The Denza B8 hits a sweet spot for discerning buyers seeking an adventure-ready, full-size SUV that offers an outstanding balance of ruggedness and luxurious comfort both on- and off-road. It definitely deserves more attention from the local consumers moving forward.