Hmmm . . . Toyota tried with the Granvia, Lexus is still having a go with the LM and now Denza is going to have a crack with its D9 luxury electric people mover.
Denza, in case you weren’t aware, is the luxury arm of BYD (Build Your Dreams), in much the same way that Lexus is the upmarket version of Toyota — or Genesis is to Hyundai.
It was founded in 2010 as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, but Benz is no longer part of the equation.
Denza’s Aussie assault started with two off-road SUVs — the B5 and B8 Super Hybrid SUVs.
D9 (no relation to the huge 1950s Caterpillar bulldozer) is a fully-electric luxury people mover, priced from $85,990 for the front-drive model or $95,990 for the all-wheel drive — both prices before on-road costs.
Denza says D9 redefines sophistication, space, and EV mobility for a first-class travel experience.
Boss Mark Harland says it marks another important milestone for the brand in Australia.
“We’re introducing a new standard of practical luxury,” he said.
“The Denza D9 offers all occupants first-class comfort, advanced technology, and everyday usability without compromise.”
At the heart of the Denza D9 is BYD’s advanced e-Platform 3.0, an architecture developed exclusively for electric vehicles.
It claims the world’s first mass-produced 8-in-1 powertrain, combining eight essential vehicle systems for unparalleled efficiency and integration.
The FWD produces 230kW of power and 360Nm of torque, while the AWD ups the ante to 275kW and 470Nm.
Both are powered by a 103.3 kW/h Blade Battery, renowned for its safety, stability, and longevity.
Driving range is a generous 520km (FWD) and 480km (AWD) under the WLTP combined test cycle, delivering long-distance capability.
With 11kW AC charging, 200kW DC fast charging, optimised thermal management, and V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality, the D9 ensures effortless charging at home or on the road.
At 5250mm with a long 3110mm wheelbase (and that grille) D9 has a commanding road presence.
We’re told the front design is inspired by the mathematical symbol for Pi (ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter), with deep vertical bars imparting a sense of infinite power and immediate response.
Further, the rakish waistline symbolises the trajectory of a celestial object while the rear lights generate the effect of curved star streaks.
Who makes this stuff up?
Inside D9 reveals an expansive, cabin crafted with natural materials and human-centric design.
Inspired by the flowing Pi-motion theme, the interior wraps around occupants with a warm, inviting embrace and seats finished in Nappa leather.
Open-pore white ash wood trim, soft-touch surfaces, concealed ambient lighting, and a premium suede roof liner for the AWD grade create an atmosphere of refined elegance.
Double-layer acoustic glass, power sliding doors, soft-close functionality on all doors, and a panoramic dual-roof system underscore the Denza D9’s commitment to refinement and effortless usability.
D9’s three-row seating layout (2+2+3) emphasises comfort across all rows:
- Second-row captain’s chairs with ventilation, massage functionality, power leg rests, four-way lumbar adjustment and position memory
- More than 900mm of legroom in both second and third rows
- Over 1500mm of headroom in every row – among the most spacious in its class
There’s three system screens: a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and 12-inch head-up display, while four-zone voice assistance and over-the-air updates make it future-ready.
In the second row, occupants enjoy their own 5.5-inch armrest display that controls seats, climate and entertainment.
A standout highlight is the dual-mode fridge and hotbox, chilled from minus 6 to 6 degrees or warmed to 50 degrees.
The bespoke 14-speaker, 420-watt Dynaudio system is tuned in Denmark and engineered specifically for D9’s cabin.
Available exclusively on the AWD grade, BYD’s DiSus-C suspension system continuously monitors ride and comfort.
Electronically-controlled dampers and a host of sensors combine to reduce pitch, roll, and lift for limousine-like ride quality.
Even with seven passengers aboard, the 410 litres of rear cargo space can accommodate seven pieces of carry-on airline luggage.
Folding the rear rows expands space to a massive 2310 litres.
Dual electric sliding doors offer easy ingress, wide openings, soft-close functionality, anti-pinch protection, and multiple activation methods including key, console buttons, and integrated displays.
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