The Denza B8 currently holds the title of Malaysia’s most expensive Chinese car… at least for now.
While there have already been no shortage of Chinese takes on the iconic Land Rover Defender in Malaysia, none could be said to have really come close to giving the real McCoy a genuine run for its money. That however may soon change, as Denza has just officially introduced its massive and mighty B8 SUV for the local market.
And yes, to address the rather headline-grabbing price tag first, this is currently the most expensive Chinese vehicle on sale in Malaysia today. Dethroning that other boxy Sino luxury SUV from GWM (the Tank 500) for the title, the Denza B8 arrives locally in two variants: a seven-seat Dynamic priced at RM458,800, and a six-seat Premium at RM518,800.
Now essentially a rebadged Fangchengbao Bao 8, this flagship three-row body-on-frame 4×4 from BYD’s off-road-focused sub-brand is absolutely gargantuan in the metal. Measuring 5,195 mm long, 1,994 mm wide and 1,905 mm tall, with a 2,920 mm wheelbase, the B8 even manages to dwarf the already-massive Toyota Land Cruiser 300.
Unlike the other massive Denza currently in the local lineup however, the whole CBU EV tax brouhaha should not affect the B8 anytime soon. Such is because this hulking SUV instead packs BYD’s Dual Mode Off-road (DMO) Super Hybrid PHEV setup, pairing a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) and twin electric motors.
Combined output from this electrified powertrain stands at a rather healthy 612 PS and 760 Nm of torque, which is enough to see this 3.2-tonne behemoth sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Be a little gentler on the throttle meanwhile, and the B8 is capable of delivering up to 115 km of NEDC-rated EV-only range from its sizeable 36.8-kWh Blade LFP battery pack.
Factor in its equally massive 91-litre fuel tank too, and Denza claims a combined NEDC driving range of up to 1,040 km, alongside a surprisingly respectable fuel consumption figure of just 9.89 litres/100 km. Charging-wise, the B8 supports up to 120 kW DC fast charging, enabling a 30-80% top-up in only 16 minutes, while AC charging maxes out at 11 kW. There is also 6.6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability included as standard.
Beyond just its high-tech powertrain, the B8 also packs some seriously sophisticated suspension hardware underneath. Its DiSus-P hydraulic suspension system offers up to 140 mm of ride height adjustment, increasing the wading depth from an already impressive 800 mm to 890 mm.
The top-spec six-seater further gains both front and rear locking differentials for even better off-road capability, while the seven-seater makes do with only a rear locking diff. Both variants can nevertheless still perform the now-signature Chinese off-roader party trick of a tank turn, rotating almost entirely within their own length by scrubbing its wheels in opposite directions.
While on the topic of wheels too, Malaysian-spec B8s ride on massive 20-inch blacked-out alloys tucked beneath equally chunky plastic-cladded wheel arches. Its boxy silhouette is further accented by flush door handles and soft-closing doors, though the rear retains a traditional side-opening manual tailgate thanks to the exposed spare wheel mounted onto it.
Moving along inside, the B8’s macho squared-off dashboard is dominated by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 17.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen. Other highlights within its cabin include a pair of 50W wireless chargers, a heated and cooled centre armrest storage cubby, tri-zone automatic climate control, powered front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions, plus an 18-speaker Devialet sound system.
The seven-seat Dynamic adopts a 2-3-2 layout, with its powered middle-row bench featuring both heating and ventilation. The flagship Premium meanwhile switches to a more luxurious 2-2-2 configuration, gaining middle-row captain seats complete with massage, ventilation and ottomans, alongside Nappa leather upholstery throughout the cabin.
Exclusive equipment for the six-seater further includes infrared night vision, a digital rear-view mirror, a head-up display, power-extending thigh supports and dynamic side bolsters for the front seats, as well as ambient lighting for the second-row footwells.
Colour-wise, the Denza B8 is available locally in Alpine White, Emerald Green, Nebula Blue, Dawn Gold and Eclipse Black, while the cabin can be specified in either Jasper Brown or Onyx Black regardless of exterior hue chosen.
Warranty coverage for the Denza B8 currently consists of a six-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, alongside an eight-year/160,000 km warranty for the high-voltage battery and drive unit components. Buyers additionally receive seven complimentary maintenance services over six years worth up to RM 10,000, as well as a free V2L adapter valued at RM 700.
