Denza is about to go on the hunt for Kia Carnival, Zeekr 009 and Lexus LM consumers.
The posh offshoot of Chinese language mega model BYD is bringing the D9 individuals mover to Australia as a luxurious providing with some high-tech powertrain choices on the desk.
At a preview drive in China I examined out the Denza d9 dm-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and whereas it mightn’t appear like a cutting-edge choice, the powertrain and drive expertise had been stunning.
How a lot does the BYD Denza 9 price?
There isn’t any affirmation but that the D9 is coming to Australia, however in China it’s priced between 339,800 and 600,600 yuan, or roughly A$72,750 to $128,500.
The previous pricing is for the DM-i plug-in hybrid mannequin, whereas the high-end choice is the totally electrical mannequin. It’s understood that, if the D9 was launched in Australia, it might be a plug-in hybrid in the beginning, with a restricted marketplace for $130,000-pus electrical individuals movers right here…
That area is presently occupied by the Zeekr 009, and the Ldv Mifa 9 – neither of which have seen vital cut-through or gross sales quantity in Australia. Oh, and the Lexus LM vary, which kicks off at $160,000 or so for a plug-free hybrid.
The massive-name within the Aussie market, although, is the Kia Carnival, which accounts for greater than 80 per cent of all new individuals movers bought available in the market.
However that’s the official new-vehicle quantity, and doesn’t embrace the grey-import marketplace for Toyota Alphard and Vellfire autos – reportedly tallying 599 models in 2024.
That, based on BYD/Denza insiders, could possibly be the market phase that this automobile will goal at. In different phrases, above a high-spec Carnival hybrid ($76,630 plus on-roads) however under the aforementioned six-figure electrical MPVs.
In China, it has a heap of ordinary tools, and comes with a 2+2+3-seat format with middle-row captain’s chairs.
Have your say within the feedback – what ought to the D9 price, if it comes Down Underneath?
What’s the BYD Denza 9 like on the within?
Up entrance there are screens aplenty.
The motive force will get an older-style 10.25-inch instrument show with a heap of at-a-glance info on provide, whereas the central touchscreen is a good 15.6 inch unit with various key controls managed by it.
There’s local weather management adjustment for all three rows of seating out there by the display, and handily that a part of the menu system stays docked on the backside as nicely.
It’s a deep tech setup with dozens of menus on provide, however I didn’t have a lot time to play with it.
The check automobile had a second 10.25-inch touchscreen for the entrance passenger, with related providers permitting dwell streaming (and the again seat screens have that, too).
Fortunately there are quite a few useable bodily controls as nicely, together with buttons for the sliding rear doorways and various different options. One that may get quite a lot of use is the button on the steering wheel to convey up the surround-view digital camera.
It feels plush and cozy, but additionally sensible. There are cupholders between the seats, a console storage space, and a hidden shelf under the ‘bridge’ between the seats.
The check automobile featured down pillows for entrance and middle-row occupants, and the motive force will get a digital digital camera mirror system to see out the again, because the rear-view mirror can seem crowded with a couple of faces on board.
Second-row riders are spoiled.
There are 50W wi-fi charging smartphone docks, USB-C charging ports, and touchscreens to regulate heating, cooling, therapeutic massage and media settings. It’s a really plush place to sit down.
There’s a fridge that opens to second-row occupant too, with temperature adjustable between -6°C and +50°C – so you possibly can preserve your choccy milks cool or your sausage rolls scorching.
There are media screens for rear riders as nicely, and the general consolation and leisure expertise is clearly aimed on the two within the center row of seats.
The most important concern for potential consumers of this automobile could possibly be that very seat format.
It has a 2+2+3 design, with the centre row seating being centered on luxuriousness fairly than outright practicality, and which means these buckets don’t slide ahead to permit third-row entry.
As an alternative, you’re anticipated to (be sufficiently small to) slither between the captain’s chairs to entry the very again. It’s manageable, but it surely actually makes the slide/fold setup of MPVs just like the Carnival appear merely elegant.
Admittedly, no Carnival has the extent of plushness the captain’s chairs right here have. However I’m not so certain that’s as vital as straightforward third-row entry.
As soon as within the very again row, the area is respectable however not mindblowing. With the middle-row seating set for me to have a superb quantity of room, I used to be a bit cramped within the very again (at 182cm/6’0”).
My knees had been simply brushing the stunning leather-accented trim and my toes had been tightly positioned below the seat, however there are nice facilities within the again.
Third-row passengers get issues like cupholders (x4), pockets on the middle-row seatbacks (x6), USB-C ports (x2), electrical sliding and reclining for the seats, and even third-row seat heating and cooling!
There’s additionally a flip-down armrest, and it might make a extra comfy six-seater than seven-seater, I’d say. Moreover, there are ISOFIX youngster seat anchor factors within the window seats for each rear rows, and top-tethers, after all, too.
Boot area varies between 390 litres with the third row upright to a claimed 2310L with the rear rows of seating folded away.
Once more, it isn’t as cleverly packaged as a Carnival in relation to the boot space, as these very rear seats can’t be folded down into the ground space, which means you’ll need to plonk stuff on prime if it is advisable take quite a lot of stuff with you.
| Dimensions | Byd Denza D9 |
|---|---|
| Size | 5250mm |
| Width | 1960mm |
| Peak | 1920mm |
| Wheelbase | 3110mm |
| Cargo capability | 390-2310l |
What’s below the bonnet?
Listed below are the specs of the Denza D9 DM-i, which is the mannequin we had an opportunity to check… which most likely wasn’t by chance.
| Specs | Denza D9 Phev world |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol PHEV |
| System outputs | 299kw / 681nm |
| Battery | 40.06kWh BYD Blade LFP |
| Transmission | e-CVT |
| Drive sort | Twin-motor AWD |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 7.9 seconds |
| Electrical driving vary (claimed) | 190 kilometres – NEDC |
| Mixed driving vary (claimed) | 1040 kilometres |
| DC charging capability | 80kW |
And should you’re curious, listed here are the EV model’s specs:
| Specs | Denza D9 EV World |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single- or dual-motor electrical |
| Battery | 103.36kWh BYD Blade LFP |
| Energy | 275kw |
| Torque | 470Nm |
| Drive sort | FWD or AWD |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 6.9 seconds |
| Claimed vary | 620 kilometers – CLTC |
| Max DC cost charge | 166kW |
Which might you be keener to see right here? Have your say within the feedback.
How does the BYD Denza 9 drive?
My drive of the D9 was transient, so this a part of the evaluate will likely be, too.
What I discovered after a few laps of a carpark with a marked course and tons of of witches hats was that it is a higher dealing with factor than you’d assume. It’s a 2.7-tonne bus in spite of everything, but it surely hustles.
With a MacPherson entrance suspension setup and multi-link rear-end with adaptive damping, there was a degree of driveability that I wasn’t anticipating from the D9.
After all it reveals some physique roll – the truth is, it reveals quite a lot of physique roll. However the best way that it ties corners collectively is spectacular, with steering that’s involving and direct, with reliable responsiveness.
I had extra enjoyable than I anticipated to whereas pushing it by a slalom and trying some tighter twists and turns.
And the powertrain is great, too. With a robust surge of torque from the electrical motors at low speeds, the petrol engine kicks into life at about 70km/h, making for sturdy continued progress as tempo climbs.
There’s a optimistic really feel to the brake as nicely, regardless of it possessing a much less aggressive regenerative braking system than you may anticipate – there’s no single-pedal driving choice.
I didn’t actually try any parking manoeuvres, however the digital camera and sensor array made me really feel assured it might be a easy factor to pilot right into a spot, regardless of its measurement.
What do you get?
Full specs and particulars aren’t identified but, however under is a information as to what the Chinese language-spec mannequin has.
2025 Denza D9 tools highlights:
- LED lighting
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster
- Leather-based accented trim
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- Massaging entrance seats
- Reminiscence settings
- Heated and ventilated second-row seats
- Massaging second-row seats
- Heated and ventilated third-row window seats
- Electrical seat adjustment for first, second and third rows
- 15.6-inch central touchscreen
- Satellite tv for pc navigation with related providers
- 16-speaker Devialet sound system
- Entrance passenger touchscreen
- 2 x 12.8-inch rear seat leisure screens
- Wi-fi charging
- Twin sunroofs
- Local weather management air-con
- Console fridge
Is the BYD Denza 9 protected?
The Denza D9 has a heap of ordinary security gear fitted, as you’d anticipate – but it surely hasn’t been examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, naturally.
It runs the DiPilot 300 ADAS system, with the next sensors included:
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- 360-degree {surround} view digital camera
- 12 exterior cameras
- 12 ultrasonic radars
- 5 millimetre-wave radars
- 1 Lidar
- In-car digital camera
- All-speed adaptive cruise management
- Degree 2 autonomous driving – together with metropolis and freeway highway
It additionally has twin entrance, driver’s knee, entrance aspect, rear aspect, and full-length curtain airbags.
How a lot does the BYD Denza 9 price to run?
It’s anticipated that Denza will hit our market with a robust guarantee providing – presumably mirroring that of mother or father firm BYD at six years or 150,000km.
Battery pack guarantee will likely be eight years, as is the business commonplace. Servicing particulars and roadside protection are but to be decided.
CarExpert’s Tackle the BYD Denza 9
The Denza D9 is a luxurious and premium feeling individuals mover.
It maybe isn’t as sensible as a Kia Carnival, but it surely has a plug-in hybrid system that units it aside.
Ought to it make its method Down Underneath with aggressive value positioning, the Denza D9 could possibly be very intriguing for households and fleet clients alike.
Click on the photographs for the total gallery
MORE: Every little thing BYD
