Denza B5 Leopard 2026 Review
BYD’s luxury brand wants to crash the Prado party with a lavish and surprisingly capable family 4x4The Denza B5 Leopard is the premium brand’s opening gambit in Australia: a Prado-sized ladder-frame 4x4 packed with Nappa leather, 400kW of plug-in hybrid punch, locking diffs, and hydraulically adjustable suspension. At around $80,000 before on-roads – and with stock actually on dealer floors – it’s a compelling proposition. But it’s not without rough edges, from grabby brakes and woolly steering to a janky off-road interface. An impressive debut, with room to grow.
How much does the Denza B5 cost?
The entry-level 2026 Denza B5 starts at $74,990 plus on-road costs. For that price, the list of standard equipment is generous, featuring a plug-in hybrid 4x4 system, front and rear locking differentials, and low-range gearing. The cabin is anchored by a massive 15.6-inch central touchscreen and upholstered in high-quality leather.
You also get 11 airbags, a full ADAS safety suite so the car can go, stop and turn by itself, plus there’s a 3D 360-degree parking/off-road camera as standard.
Stepping up to the B5 Leopard tested here costs $79,990 (plus on-road costs), with drive-away pricing currently rising to almost $90,000.
The Leopard’s extra $5000 asking price upgrades the 18-inch wheels to 20-inch alloys (and swaps Continental rubber for Pirelli) and swaps the leather for premium Nappa cow hide.
The Leopard adds a second 50W wireless phone charger (equipped with cooling fans), a digital phone key, and impressive adaptive and height adjustable hydraulic suspension. Even the ancillary features are premium, including a dual-pane sunroof, a head-up display, and a centre console "coolie box" that operates between -6°C and 50°C.
The B5 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with dual electric motors for a combined 400kW and 760Nm of torque.
Power is managed via a dual-range 4x4 system and a 32kWh battery that offers 100km of pure electric range. With an 83-litre fuel tank, the total range sits just shy of 1000km.
Warranty is good but not great. Most rivals have unlimited kilometres, but the B5’s six-year/150,000km warranty (eight-year/160,000km for the battery pack) is still fairly solid.
Service prices are not cheap, but few vehicles are in this segment. The 12-month/20,000km intervals are good, but an average $644 per annual service is more expensive than some Lexus SUVs.
What’s good about the Denza B5?
The interior of the 2026 Denza B5 Leopard is a revelation; it is practically splashed with soft Nappa leather from the dash to the lower doors.
The build quality is very good (it almost feels over-engineered). The doors thud shut with a premium weight that recalls Sandy Munro’s teardowns of the related Shark 6 and the seats are a highlight, offering soft cushions and a five-mode massage function (relax, pulse, wave, stretch, and sooth).
Which is rather effective on three-hour drives.
Rear passengers aren't forgotten either, with modestly reclining seats, cooled outboard positions, and a ‘secret stash’ magnetized compartment.
Tech-wise, the 15.6-inch screen is incredibly responsive to touch with a high refresh rate. I love the physical volume knob and the intuitive three-finger swipe for fan and temperature adjustments, which bypasses the need to dig through menus.
The 50W wireless chargers even feature little fans to keep your phone from melting during a fast charge. And they work! Especially when you’re running wireless Android Auto or CarPlay, which can sauté your phone quick-smart.
Off-road, the B5's hybrid system is reasonable. Instead of a revving diesel, the electric motors quietly turn over, sharing grip with reasonable precision. The 310mm of hydraulic ground clearance make technical trails very approachable.
On the freeway, it's a silent fortress, with excellent sound insulation and a Level 2 autonomous driving suite that feels far more polished than many other Chinese challengers.
What’s not so good about the Denza B5?
At 3,007kg, the 2026 Denza B5 Leopard is a certified behemoth, and it shows.
It deals with big potholes by smashing through them rather than absorbing them, although on less craggy surfaces it is fairly smooth and compliant.
On corrugated dirt, there is a noticeable reverb through the chassis as the suspension pounds in and out of potholes with a jarring thud that a Prado simply doesn't do.
The software also suffers from a profusion of choice. There are no less than 15 driving modes, which is confusing for anyone who isn't a rocket surgeon.
In Race Mode, I experienced an unnerving throttle lag where the car kept pulling for a moment after lifting off. The software definitely needs a recalibration.
Then there are the chintzy sound effects for drive modes that feel more like a video game than a $90K luxury vehicle.
Ergonomic annoyances are there too. You need a USB-A cable for wired CarPlay, which is frustrating in a USB-C world.
The 12.3-inch driver’s display is also underwhelming, lacking the customisation or ‘big dial’ options favoured by Aussie drivers. The drive data is seemingly scattered all over the shop too. There’s no rhyme nor reason to its layout, which is pretty standard of most vehicles from the region.
Off-road, the brakes can feel grabby on steep descents, and the camera system has an annoying habit of switching itself off exactly when you're navigating a tight rock section.
Finally, as a brand-new entity, the Denza faces a massive hurdle in brand equity and trust, which will likely result in higher depreciation compared to established rivals.
Should I buy a Denza B5?
If you’re a Toyota Prado loyalist, the 2026 Denza B5 Leopard probably isn’t going to pry you away — it doesn’t offer seven seats and can’t match the Prado’s towing capacity.
But if you’re in the market for a luxurious, capable, off-road-ready SUV and you’re open to something a little left-field, the Denza B5 Leopard makes a genuinely compelling case.
It’s more equipment for less money than a Prado GXL, it’s available now (not in six months) and Denza is clearly building serious momentum in Australia, with around 250 B5s sold per month right now.
If you want a high-tech, 400kW luxury fortress that can tackle the Flinders Ranges today rather than waiting six months for a Prado, the B5 is a compelling choice.
It represents incredible value for money, provided you are willing to take the early-adopter risk on a brand with no local history.
2026 Denza B5 Leopard at a glance:
Price: $79,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol-electric
Output: 135kW/260Nm (electric motor F: 200kW/360Nm, R: 285kW/400Nm)
Combined output: 400kW/760Nm
Transmission: Electronic CVT
Battery: 31.8kWh lithium-ion
Range: 90km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 23.3kWh/100km (WLTP)
Fuel consumption: 3.9-10.92L/100km (WLTP, pending battery SOC)
CO2: 42g/km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2025)
Related: Denza B5 tipped to lead BYD’s luxury push in Australia
Related: Prado-poaching 2025 Denza B5 and B8 priced
Related: Your questions answered: Which sub-$100K car should I buy with a full-sized spare?
- Stoic 400kW PHEV powertrain offers silent, potent torque that shames traditional diesels
- Lavish Nappa interior featuring a coolie box and five-mode massaging seats
- Very good value luxury 4x4 with adjustable hydraulic suspension, locking diffs and low range
- Massive three tonne kerb weight leads to pronounced body roll and a pothole purgatory
- Off-road mode interface is bewilderingly complex – needs a serious usability rethink
- Zero brand equity in Australia creates high risk for heavy depreciation
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