Denza B5

If its exterior design appears rugged and brutish, its cabin tells a completely different story. Inside, you are pleasantly greeted by an abundance of soft-touch panels and high-tech features. It also has an electronic sunroof with an electronic sunshade. You and your co-pilot have plenty of room up front, while three passengers can comfortably fit in the rear. At the back, this SUV also offers a 1,064-L maximum luggage capacity. Additionally, its genuine leather seats are plush and supportive at the same time.

Meanwhile, the driver is given access to the car’s Ultra-Intelligent Interactive Cockpit (D-Link), which consists of a 12.3-inch full-LCD 3D instrument cluster, a 50-inch head-up display, a leather-wrapped multi-control steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment options, and an aircraft-like center console with a modern gear lever and a stylish control section. For elevated comfort, the driver’s seat also has ventilation, massage, and memory functions.

Aside from that, all passengers can enjoy a 15.6-inch ultra-HD center control screen that has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a 4G network connection, an OTA remote upgrade, and is linked to an 18-speaker Devialet audio system. In terms of convenience, this SUV also comes with a total of five USB ports (Type-A and Type-C), a wireless phone charger, a 12V power port, and even a refrigerator, among others. That said, the B5’s cabin is well-rounded and can effectively accommodate the diverse needs of both the driver and the passengers.

In terms of dimensions, the Denza B5 measures 4,888 mm in length, 1,970 mm in width, and 1,920 mm in height. This midsize plug-in hybrid SUV also comes with a 2,800-mm wheelbase. 

The Denza B5’s design strikes a balance between ruggedness and elegance. At the front, it sports LED automatic matrix headlamps with C-shaped LED DRLs, giving it a clean flare wherever it goes. Between the headlamps is a rugged-looking grille with a blacked-out honeycomb-like pattern. Additionally, a bulky bumper with a silver or gray (depending on the exterior colour) skid plate completes its overall front look.

On the sides, its boxy frame is further enhanced by bulged fenders and side skirts, as well as robust 18-inch wheels. This SUV also comes with electronically-adjustable and foldable sideview mirrors with memory and blind-spot monitoring functions, ensuring that the driver has maximum visibility on the road at all times. 

At the back, its full-size spare tire cover adds a classic touch to its appearance. It features C-shaped LED combination lamps and an LED high-mounted brake light for enhanced illumination, especially at night. Lastly, this SUV gets a soft-closing rear door and muscular rear bumper.

The Denza B5 comes with front and rear Double Wishbone suspension. This SUV is very adaptable on different kinds of terrain, delivering a supple ride both on- and off-road. Denza’s Leopard Turn feature also enhances its maneuverability on rocky and muddy trails. Meanwhile, in the city, it soaks up bumps and other road imperfections effortlessly. It is important to note, however, that this SUV is not designed for sporty driving. Hence, its suspension might feel a bit too soft when hitting sharp turns and twists at high speeds.

The Denza B5 runs on a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.5L engine, which delivers a maximum power of 135 kW, with two permanent magnet synchronous motors. The front motor produces 200 kW of power and 360 Nm of torque, while the rear motor generates 285 kW and 400 Nm. Its motors are powered by a 31.8-kWh battery that offers an NEDC pure electric range of up to 100 km.

Combined, its entire plug-in hybrid powertrain delivers 425 kW of power, 760 Nm of torque, and an NEDC range of up to 975 km. Additionally, the B5 utilizes a four-wheel drivetrain (4WD) and offers multiple driving modes.

That said, the B5 cruises at high speeds effortlessly, boasting an acceleration time of 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. It is also very capable of taking on steep rural inclines even with a full load, thanks to its torquey powertrain. Additionally, its combined range is excellent for daily city driving and equally capable on long-distance trips out of town. And, most importantly, it delivers respectable efficiency for its class.

The Denza B5 is equipped with the brand’s DiPilot technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, forward and rearward collision warning, forward and rear cross traffic alert, intelligent cruise control, blind spot detection, an ultrasonic radar, a high-precision millimeter wave radar, a smart driving surround view camera, and a smart driving high perception camera, among others.

This plug-in hybrid SUV comes with front and rear ventilated disc brakes. Its braking setup is supported by an intelligent power brake control system, a brake energy recovery system, an anti-lock braking system, a hydraulic brake assist, electronic stability control, and a distributed traction control system, to name a few.

In my opinion, the Denza B5 can be considered a game-changer in its segment. It is more usable in the city than its larger sibling, the B8, but still capable and adaptable both on- and off-road.