Denza B5 Super Hybrid Review

The Denza B5 Leopard has some serious headline numbers, including 400kW/760Nm, 0–100km/h in 4.8 seconds, and a claimed 975km combined range. As a package, it represents a comfortable long-distance cruiser with a premium cabin and useful capability. But at nearly $97K, it has its work cut out to distinguish itself from more established rivals.

The Denza B5 Leopard is a premium plug-in hybrid SUV that is built on BYD’s DM-O (Dual Mode Off-road) platform. It promises big range, big power and genuine go-anywhere potential.

With 760Nm of torque, it launches from 0–100km/h in just 4.8 seconds. But this beast is not just about outrageous performance; it also has a claimed combined range of 975km – that’s the kind of long-distance flexibility only diesels used to offer.

Originally launched as a joint venture with BYD and Mercedes-Benz, Denza is BYD’s luxury sub-brand. In fact, the B5 shares plenty with other BYD products, including the DM-O platform, also used by the BYD Shark 6.

Because this is a luxury-leaning product, the B5 ultimately arrives with an equally expensive price tag of $96,990 (+ORC).

The B5 combines a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with dual electric motors (one on each axle). The combined output is 400kW or power and 760Nm of torque. Despite those big numbers, the power delivery isn’t always explosive – it builds gradually and only delivers real EV-like punch once Sport mode is selected.

A 31.8kWh BYD Blade battery gives the B5 around 100km of electric-only range, with the petrol engine stretching total claimed range to 975km. The catch is that once the battery drops below 25%, the engine works harder and we found that the fuel use climbed to around 11L/100km. 

For something marketed towards being the ruggedly dependable, the B5 feels surprisingly middle-of-the-road when it comes to handling. It’s stable and predictable on the road and doesn’t do much wrong, but it also doesn’t stand out.

The ride is comfortable for long-distance travel and well-calibrated driver assists make motorway cruising easy. However, the steering can feel a little too light and artificial, even with adjustable settings available. 

From the outside, the B5 plays it safe. There are obvious cues from established off roaders like Land Rover, including flared wheel arches and an upright front end. It’s tidy enough, but in a segment full of bold newcomers, it blends in more than stands out.

On paper, the off-road credentials are strong. The B5 includes BYD’s DM-O 4x4 platform, 16 selectable drive modes, a 3,000kg braked tow rating and DiSus-P body control with adjustable ride height and adaptive suspension.

However, the many drive modes can feel overwhelming, some behave unpredictably, and the interface makes quick adjustments harder than they need to be.

Inside, the B5 makes a strong first impression. Materials feel high-end, build quality is solid and the quilted Nappa leather seats add a premium touch. The 15.6-inch infotainment system looks slick, but too many primary functions are buried in menus, which can be distracting on the move. There are some quirky elements too, like the sci-fi inspired piano key buttons and an extendable gear selector. 

The Denza B5 Leopard delivers many things buyers want in a super-hybrid off roader, such as long range, strong performance, comfort and useful capability. It faces tough competition from the Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-80, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Volvo XC90, all of which offer more polished on-road experience.

Don’t get me wrong, the B5 is comfortable, capable, and potentially very efficient, but it needs a clearer reason to choose it over more established rivals. If you like early-access hybrid tech and love an impressive spec sheet, it’s still worth a look.