A Gourmet Traveller reader rarely needs more than one reason to hit the open road – whether it’s the pull of a lauded regional restaurant, a long lunch in wine country or the promise of a coastal escape. With the arrival of Denza luxury vehicles in Australia, these culinary pilgrimages just got significantly more comfortable.
Born from a collaboration between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, Denza enters the local market as a new kind of luxury vehicle brand – one that blends thoughtful design, advanced hybrid technology and everyday usability, without the eye-watering price tag traditionally attached to premium SUVs. Its Australian debut centres on two plug-in hybrid models: the five-seat B5 and the larger, three-row six or seven-seater B8, both designed for drivers who see travel as part of the pleasure, not just a means to an end.
Style and substance
The appeal is immediate. The B5 has a confident, modern presence, while the B8 leans into a more commanding silhouette and is ideal for longer journeys or travelling with family and friends. But the real story is how seamlessly both vehicles move between city driving and long-distance touring.
For everyday errands such as school drop-offs, market runs and midweek dinners, they can be driven largely on electric power alone, offering a quiet, smooth experience that feels perfectly suited to urban life. When it’s time to head further afield, the hybrid system extends range effortlessly, eliminating the need to plan trips around charging stops. The result is a sense of freedom that feels quietly luxurious.
Both models achieve up to 90 kilometres of pure electric driving – perfect for farm-gate visits and cellar door tours without using a drop of petrol. Combined range approaches almost 1,000 kilometres, meaning you can drive from Sydney to Melbourne’s finest restaurants without stopping for fuel.
There’s also a quietly clever feature that speaks directly to the modern traveller’s lifestyle: both the B5 and B8 offer vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing the cars to supply power to external devices such as laptops between appointments or powering a coffee machine on a weekend escape.
The luxury of space
Inside, the SUVs favour comfort and restraint over showiness. The B5 offers a calm, well-appointed cabin with generous storage, providing ample room for cases of wine, gourmet provisions or weekend luggage. Soft leather finishes, intuitive digital controls and clever details make it feel considered rather than ostentatious.
The B8 builds on this with a more expansive interior and the option of six or seven seats. In its six-seat configuration, individual second-row seats feel more like a luxe lounge than a traditional SUV – fantastic for long drives to regional destinations. Thoughtful inclusions such as heating and ventilation in the seats, and an integrated cooling and warming box, are ideal for keeping wine at the perfect temperature or ensuring your morning croissant stays hot on early drives to the farmers’ market.
Capability without compromise
For those whose favourite destinations lie beyond sealed roads – vineyard tracks, country estates, coastal hideaways – both vehicles are engineered to handle changing conditions with ease. You don’t need to think about the terrain; the car does that for you. It’s confidence that allows you to focus on the journey, the company and the destination ahead.
Sustainable luxury
At a time when environmental consciousness increasingly influences purchasing decisions, Denza offers a compelling proposition. The ability to complete most daily driving on electric power alone – school runs, grocery shopping, commutes – means dramatically reduced emissions for everyday use. Yet when adventure calls, the extended-range hybrid system delivers confidence for long-distance touring without range anxiety.
The technology also means lower running costs. Charge overnight on off-peak electricity rates, and your morning drive costs mere cents per kilometre. When you do need the petrol engine, it works primarily as a generator, operating at peak efficiency to extend your range.
A new standard
Pricing, before on roads, starts at $74,990 for the B5 Standard and $91,000 for the B8 seven-seat – figures that position these vehicles as remarkably attainable luxury, particularly when considering inclusions that would cost significantly more from established European brands.
For the discerning driver who values both the destination and the journey, Denza’s B5 and B8 represent something genuinely new. They don’t just get you there – they make the journey something to savour.
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