Denza B5 and B8 2026 First Australian Drive! Should Toyota be Scared?

BYD’s luxury brand is launching in Australia with a 1-2 Land Cruiser punch as the Denza B5 and B8 plug-in hybrids finally land of Australia shores packing over 400kW and clever 4WD tech along with sharp pricing — we’re promised starting around $70,000 and topping out at less than $100K.

For the uninitiated, the Denza B5 and B8 are built alongside, and using a similar parts kit, to the jit BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute. These two pack locking differentials, low-range crawl gears and heavily enhanced traction control, plus optional adaptive suspension.

It’s all good reading a spec sheet and being impressed, but what about in the real world, where these vehicle will have to be seriously slick if they’re to trouble Toyota’s much-loved Land Cruiser badge. Road test editor John Law flies to ex-GM/Holden proving ground Lang Lang for a first sample on local turf.

Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
0:46 - Denza B5
1:46 - Off-road details
2:17 - Dimensions
2:39 - Diff locks & low-range
3:03 - Payload & towing
4:24 - Denza B5 off-road
6:39 - Hill-climb
7:34 - Mountain mode
8:40 - Denza B5 cabin
9:44 - Back seat
10:20 - Denza B8
10:57 - Hydraulic suspension
11:30 - 3.5-tonne towing
11:54 - Boot space
12:45 - Denza B8 off-road
14:22 - B8 cabin
14:44 - Third row
15:23 - B5 Leopard on-road
17:32 - Acceleration test
18:42 - Suspension flaws
19:18 - Verdict

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As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct.

Subscribe now! https://www.youtube.com/user/ChasingCarsAustralia?sub_confirmation=1

Chasing Cars on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasingcarsaustralia/
Follow Chasing Cars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingcars.com.au/

Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!