Denza B5 brings off-road attitude to the urban jungle

SINGAPORE – Engineered to survive a zombie apocalypse, the Denza B5 is seemingly unstoppable, until it faces a 1.85m height limit sign at the entrance of Velocity@Novena’s carpark.

Standing at an imposing 1,920mm tall, the only option for this brawny beast of a car is to slip into reverse and beat a tactical retreat.

The B5 is the second Denza model to arrive in Singapore, following the D9, which is a grand people-mover. Incidentally, the luxurious D9 is just as tall as the B5 sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Before Denza made its entrance in Singapore in late 2024 as BYD’s luxury arm – like Lexus is to Toyota – the brand was founded in 2010 as a joint venture between the Chinese automotive giant and Mercedes-Benz.

The German carmaker has since sold its entire stake in the venture, leaving BYD to develop Denza on its own.

Towering rooflines aside, the B5 is a very different kind of luxury car from the D9 – and indeed from every other high-end Chinese brand in Singapore, from Avatr to Zeekr.

While it boasts all the premium trappings you would expect from a Denza, the B5 flexes a deliberately rugged character. Instead of being a full electric car like the D9, it is a plug-in hybrid, with an engine to fall back on when its battery runs out of juice.

Think of it more like the Mercedes-Benz G-class, which exudes industrial toughness, rather than a plush Bentley Bentayga that no one would dare drive beyond paved roads – albeit without the stratospheric price tag of these established European offerings.

The B5 certainly looks the part of a serious expedition machine. At 4,888mm long, the car is longer than the G-class (4,624mm), if not quite as big as the Defender 110 (5,018mm).

The Denza’s bumpers wrap the bodywork tightly, maximising the car’s approach and departure angles for steep inclines. It also flaunts the most old-school off-roader design hallmark of all: a full-sized spare tyre hanging on the back of a side-hinged rear door.

Flanking the rear number plate are heavy-duty metal tow hoops mounted rigidly to the chassis frame. They are handy for hooking up to a tow rope to yank a lesser off-roader out of a muddy ditch or pull a poorly parked vehicle out of the way.

Rescuing 4x4s in distress and dragging lesser cars out of parking spaces require immense torque and traction, both of which the Denza possesses in abundance. With independently lockable differentials, the B5 can effectively deploy all 760Nm of torque to the ground as effectively as mechanically possible.

It may not look like a sprinter, but the B5 can also be made to accelerate with surprising urgency, with a Porsche Taycan-matching 0-100kmh timing of 4.8 seconds.

For the first few degrees of pedal travel, the Denza feels brisk but not rapid. Press harder past the midway point, however, and the B5 really gets moving, all 425kW, or 570hp, of power coursing through the four tyres.

But with great electric power comes a hefty road tax. The powerful B5 incurs an eye-watering annual road tax bill of $6,347.

The car’s hefty 2,940kg weight may have something to do with the less-than-instantaneous response.

On the upside, this is also a more sensible calibration. Having an overly sharp throttle with such a heavy vehicle can mean big trouble if it surges ahead accidentally in tight urban spaces or into a tree in the wild.

The car’s agility around town is a big surprise, at least for something that looks so huge on the road.

Most daily commutes can be done by the two electric motors. Unlike the Defender plug-in hybrid, which has a pure electric range of under 40km, the Denza can glide along silently for up to 90km without waking its engine.

The battery can be charged with a regular electric vehicle charger, as well as via the engine working as a generator, and during deceleration.

Combined with a sizeable 83-litre fuel tank to feed the 1.5-litre engine, the B5 has the makings of a serious road tripper. Over the multi-day test drive in Singapore, the car’s trip computer reports that it has consumed 28.6 litres of petrol to cover more than 360km of mixed driving conditions.

At this rate, even at sustained highway speeds during which energy consumption climbs, this rugged adventurer should be able to comfortably cover all 748km of Malaysia’s North-South Expressway with plenty of fuel to spare.

On the move, the ride on the high-profile 18-inch tyres is quite compliant, apart from a slight wiggle felt through the steering. This has to do with that hardcore body-on-frame layout.

Sound insulation is good, although at speed, you may detect a hint of wind noise that catches against the car’s blunt profile.

Whether you take it to the jungle or not, there is no denying the appeal of the B5’s cabin.

In addition to the responsive 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, it features plenty of chunky physical controls that seem to be modelled after heavy military equipment. This includes the bank of rocker switches on the broad centre console – such as the buttons for the hazard lights and driving modes – and the gear lever which looks like the power lever on a fighter jet.

The gear lever rises to position when the car is switched on, adding visual drama.

The finishing is top-rate and the supple leather upholstery feels luxurious, contrasted with chunky plastics used for areas like the door bins, conveying utility.

However, accommodating the hardcore off-road-ready chassis layout means that the cabin space is only sufficient, rather than excessively spacious.

Another quirk is how the rear side-hinged door opens from right to left, rather than the opposite direction, like on the G-class and Defender. In Singapore’s context, this means you must stand on the side facing traffic rather than being nearer the kerb when loading up the boot.

Ultimately, the Denza B5 is many things. It is a credible plug-in hybrid and a hardcore off-roader with a convincingly premium proposition. Just be mindful of height limits.

Denza B5 Orion

Price: $436,888 with certificate of entitlement, before applicable discounts
Engine: 1,498cc 16-valve inline-4 turbocharged with 31.8kWh LFP battery
Transmission: Single, all-wheel drive
Power: 181hp (engine), 425kW (combined)
Torque: 760Nm
0-100kmh: 4.8 seconds
Top speed: 180kmh
Energy consumption: 3.9 litres/100km; 20kWh/100km combined
Charging capacity: 11kW AC; 100kW DC
Electric range: 90km
Agent: Vantage Automotive, Harmony Auto Singapore, Motor-East
Rating: ★★★★☆

Comparable considerations

Mercedes-Benz G580 electric ($853,088 with COE)

The latest “G-Wagen” looks almost like the 1979 original. This hardy truck has entered the electric age with the G580, retaining all the off-roading prowess, but without the noise and exhaust of a combustion engine. The asking price does put it in a different league from just about any SUV on sale today.

Defender 110 (from $346,888 without COE)

The Defender is now an independent brand under Jaguar Land Rover. Although the 110 model has been around since 2020 – not that you can tell from its design – it still looks fresh. In plug-in hybrid form, the 4x4 uses a 2-litre turbocharged engine, supported by a small battery that is good for less than 40km of pure electric range. The car can feel bulky in the city, but otherwise, it is fun to drive.

Jeep Wrangler ($355,888 with COE)

The American hero has been back in Singapore since mid-2025 under a new dealership. It is brash and loud, and its roof can be removed – if you are handy with basic tools.