2026 Denza B5 Leopard review (video)

In recent years, the Australian automotive market has become a turnstile for newcomer brands. Each one arrives with bigger screens, longer warranties and sharper drive-away pricing in an attempt to grab the attention of buyers that put price above all else. But with many brands now approaching saturation in that end of the market, the next chase becomes far more difficult; credibility.

Cue the 2026 Denza B5 Leopard. A large plug-in hybrid SUV falling under BYD’s umbrella that doesn’t just promise luxury and technology, but also legitimate off-road capability and serious performance credentials. With dual-motor four-wheel drive, hydraulic adaptive suspension, locking differentials and 400kW on tap, it arrives sounding far more ambitious than the average swingin’ through SUV.

The interesting part is, for the first time in a long time, a vehicle like this doesn’t immediately feel defined by its price tag alone. Instead, the B5 Leopard gives the impression Denza wants buyers to desire it first, and only then notice the value equation afterwards.

2026 Denza B5 Leopard: Specifications

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol PHEV
Electrical: 31.8kWh battery, 1x electric motor
Output: 400kW / 760Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 20×8.5, 275/55
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 3007kg
Power-to-weight: 7.51:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 1.9L/100km
Our consumption (no charge): 10.8L/100km

Max charging AC/DC: 11kW/100kW
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 83L/91 RON
Power efficiency: 210kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.55 seconds*
0-100km/h: 5.00 seconds*
60-110km/h: 2.99 seconds*
1/4 mile: 13.22 seconds at 174.3km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.895g*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 74*
100-0km/h braking: 41.29m in 3.15 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.378g*
Starting price: $82,185

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2026 Denza B5 Leopard: How much does it cost?

Priced from $74,990 for the base Denza B5, and $79,990 for the higher spec Leopard we’ve tested (excluding on-roads), the cost is higher than where most newcomer brands traditionally compete. But when you begin examining the specification sheet, which we will get into, the pricing starts to make more sense.

Direct rivals are somewhat difficult to pinpoint because the B5 Leopard blends multiple categories together. Buyers might cross-shop it against non-PHEV SUVs like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado Kakadu (from $100,690), or the Ford Everest Platinum ($83,490). Then there is the less luxurious PHEV GWM Tank 500 Ultra Hi4-T ($79,990), and the more luxurious and miles more expensive Range Rover Sport PHEV (starting from $181,018).

Ownership is supported by a 6-year/150,000km warranty and 3 years of roadside assistance. Servicing is required every 12 months or 20,000km, with a free 3500km check-up. The cost of servicing is reasonable, with $350, $635, $325, $1585, and $325, totalling $3220 (excluding GST) for the first five services. Or you can pre-pay for the five services upfront for a discounted $1999 (including GST).

2026 Denza B5 Leopard: Interior & packaging

Slide aboard the B5 Leopard and the cabin looks and feels more premium than you might expect from a newcomer brand. There’s clear ambition here to challenge established luxury SUVs rather than merely imitate them. The design theme balances ruggedness with modern sophistication.

Huge digital displays dominate the dashboard, while chunky grab handles and upright proportions subtly remind you this vehicle still prioritises adventure. Material quality throughout appears impressive, with generous use of soft-touch surfaces, Nappa leather trim, and a gear leaver that magically rises up and down centre stage, are all stimuli that help lift ambience levels well beyond mainstream SUVs.

Technology presentation is unquestionably dramatic. A massive 15.6-inch rotating central touch-screen becomes the focal point of the cabin, supported by a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. Rotating screens still feel slightly theatrical, but the crisp graphics and sheer screen real estate certainly leave an impression. Though, we found some of the touch buttons too small and right on the edge of the screen, adding some distraction while driving. The touch of the screen feels inaccurate at certain points too.

Comfort equipment is just as extensive. We’re talking heated and ventilated seats in both rows, electrically adjustable seating with massaging functions up front, multiple storage areas, including a temperature adjustable centre fridge and hotbox (-6 to +6-degrees Celsius for cooling and 35 to 50-degrees Celsius for warming), two 50W wireless phone chargers, wireless smartphone integration, phone app remote services, an NFC key, and an extraordinary 800-Watt/16-speaker premium audio system from French brand, Devialet, all contribute to the first-class atmosphere Denza is clearly chasing.

Space and practicality are other strong areas. The five-seat layout provides excellent occupant space in all seating positions. There is plenty of legroom and the upright boxy shape of the B5 allows for loads of headroom and an airy interior perception. As a driver, you can easily find that confident, commanding driving position aided by good all-round vision.

Meanwhile, the boot offers 470 litres of capacity and 1064 litres if you flip the rear seats down. That’s quite small lengthwise and volume-wise comparatively, but Denza has the B8 for those who need more room. And there are some handy netted pockets and hooks to secure your luggage. A side opening tailgate to support the weight of the spare wheel on the back is not a common set up nowadays. Though, you don’t have shelter from rain as a result. But it certainly gives off a more rugged vibe and a full-size spare is a must for serious off-roaders.

The safety technology is comprehensive enough to earn the B5 a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Key features include a 360-degree camera system, 11 airbags, side exit warning, head-up display, a brake disc wiping system, and a full suite of advanced driver assistance and distraction systems that are less overly sensitive than early systems.

From the outside, the B5 Leopard makes little attempt to appear subtle. The styling feels deliberately upright, squared-off and muscular; clearly leaning into rugged SUV themes rather than sleek crossover aesthetics. We see hints of Defender and Prado influences in its proportions, though enough unique surfacing and detailing save it from outright derivative. Chunky door handles, chiselled wheel arches, visible tow hitches, the externally mounted spare wheel, and upright glass areas create a bold presence on the road.

2026 Denza B5 Leopard: Powertrain & handling

At the core of the B5 is BYD’s DMO ‘Dual Mode Off-road’ plug-in hybrid system. It pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with dual electric motors that are powered by a 31.8kWh battery system. Combined, they produce an outstanding 400kW and 760Nm, translating to a 0-100km/h time of just 4.8 seconds. Our test achieved it in 5.00 seconds exactly with a Vbox. Those are enormous outputs for a 3007kg SUV. In fact, they comfortably eclipse plenty of established performance premium SUVs that cost substantially more.

The immediate impression from behind the wheel is effortless performance. Electric torque delivers instant response from low speeds, while the petrol engine integrates smoothly once additional power demand is required. Like the BYD Shark, the petrol engine can send direct rotational torque to the front wheels only, at speeds above about 70km/h.

Pure electric driving range is claimed at up to 90km (WLTP), allowing many owners to complete daily commuting without using petrol at all. But unlike fully electric off-roaders that still face infrastructure concerns in rural and remote Australia, the B5 Leopard retains long-distance touring flexibility through its hybrid operation. It’s able to travel more than 800km on a full tank and full charge.

As usual for PHEVs, the official fuel consumption average of 1.9L/100km is arbitrary, as it ultimately depends on how often you charge. If its every 90km, your petrol consumption can be zero. If you never charge and run it like a standard hybrid, our test saw the consumption shoot up to 10.8L/100km. That is because the small turbo engine needs to rev high to not only move the SUV along, but to also produce the extra charging power for the batteries to support those high-power outputs. So, you should think about your individual use case to determine if it will bring the best out of the B5.

Charging capability is competitive. The 31.8kWh BYD Blade battery supports DC CCS2 fast charging up to 100kW, helping reduce downtime during longer trips. DC fast charging from 0-80 per cent takes about 30 minutes. While AC charging (up to 11 kW) takes approximately 3 hours. Or a standard household socket will take roughly 10 to 12 hours. Then for those camping trips or picnics, the B5 can turn into a mobile battery with its vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, providing up to 6.6kW.

What separates the B5 Leopard from many electrified SUVs is its genuine off-road abilities. The ‘DiSus-P’ hydraulic adaptive suspension system can actively vary ride characteristics depending on terrain conditions, and sense sag when towing. There are 16 selectable driving modes that feed into the system as well. The height can be electronically adjusted by 140mm and stretching a maximum ground clearance to 310mm. This allows for some impressive angles for off-roading, with a 39-degree approach, 35-degree departure, 27-degree ramp-over, and a 790mm wading depth if you dare.

Front and rear locking differentials are also a rare offering in the 4WD world. It means serious mechanical capability in off-road environments rather than software-generated traction tricks. We tackled our usual steep hill climb, in the wet mind you, and it conquered all lines without much hassle. And that’s with road tyres.

Ride comfort appears to benefit heavily from that hydraulic suspension setup as well. It seems to balance body control and compliance well, considering its size and off-road intentions. On the road, you also notice how much effort Denza has spent on making the interior whisper quiet. Road noise levels are very low, thanks to extensive sound deadening materials and double-glaze/laminated windows.

Steering calibration leans more toward stability and touring confidence than sporty sharpness, which suits the B5 Leopard’s intended character. It doesn’t behave like a performance SUV despite its substantial outputs and acceleration. Instead, it feels engineered to isolate occupants from rough terrain while still maintaining decent composure on-road.

And speaking of engineering, strength is the key message from Denza with the B5’s body-on-frame architecture. It uses a cell-to-chassis (C2C) structure that integrates the battery pack into the chassis to improve rigidity and strength. Denza claims 96 per cent high-strength steel is used in the body, and 19 per cent ultra-high-strength steel in impact zones. The brand also claims 12 tonnes of roof crushing resistance.

Both B5 variants receive a drawbar, hitch receiver and a 12-pin plug for towing as standard. It can tow up to 3000kg, and offers a 600kg payload. The full 3500kg is reserved for the larger B8.

2026 Denza B5 Leopard: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Enormous hybrid performance: With 400kW and 760Nm, the B5 Leopard delivers outputs that rival expensive European performance SUVs.
• Genuine off-road hardware and capability: Hydraulic adaptive suspension, height adjustable suspension, locking front and rear diffs, and strong body engineering.
• Impressive EV driving range for a large SUV: Up to 90km of electric-only driving could dramatically reduce daily fuel usage for many owners.
• Premium cabin presentation and design: Nappa leather, enormous digital displays, generous technology and luxury inclusions help create a convincingly upscale environment.
• Value for money: If you plug the specs, architecture and features of the B5 Leopard into another Euro brand, it would be significantly more expensive.

2026 Denza B5 Leopard: Key considerations before you buy

• An unproven premium player: While the engineering and technology are impressive on paper, Denza remains an unfamiliar actor in Australia. Long-term durability, dealer support, resale value and buyer confidence are still question marks compared with more established SUV brands.
• Weight and complexity could impact long-term ownership: The combination of a large battery pack integrated into the chassis, dual electric motors, adaptive hydraulic suspension and off-road hardware creates a highly sophisticated package – but potentially one that could become expensive outside warranty periods. Weighing 3007kg could be hard on the tyres as well.
• Consider your realistic charging habits available to you: Without regular charging, consumption rises to levels higher than lighter all-petrol/diesel SUVs.
• Screen layout and function: With a large portion of vehicle functionality being integrated into the touchscreen, some of the buttons on the edge of the screen could be bigger so you can aim your finger on the move more easily. The touch of the screen feels inaccurate at certain points too.
• Side-opening tailgate: Can be awkward in tight spaces when reared up to objects, or in wet conditions when you need shelter from rain.

2026 Denza B5 Leopard: Video