We took the new DENZA B5 through an off-road course and a towering sand incline, showing off its off-road prowess.
The DENZA B5 stood out immediately at the recent 2026 Singapore Motorshow, thanks to its towering height of over 1.9 metres. In a hall filled with sleek crossovers and low-slung EVs, the B5 looked less like a fashion accessory and more like something that could drive straight out of the convention centre and up a mountain.
Fast forward to BYD’s sprawling new facility in Zhengzhou, China, and that mountain-driving theory was about to be put to the test.
Opened in September 2025, the Zhengzhou All-Terrain complex houses a 1.75km handling circuit, a simulated ice track, a vast multi-functional test zone, an extensive off-road trail, and the world’s largest and tallest sand-climbing test facility. It is the sort of playground that makes you wonder whether engineers or big kids were responsible for its design.
The DENZA B5 spent most of its time tackling the off-road course and the towering sand incline, proving that it is isn’t just some pavement princess.
A Luxury SUV With Real Backbone
At first glance, the B5 presents itself as a plush luxury SUV. Broad-shouldered, upright, and reassuringly substantial. But beneath that polished exterior lies some serious engineering intent.
The B5 uses cell-to-chassis construction, integrating the battery pack directly into the vehicle’s structure. This approach improves rigidity and strength while also delivering near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors producing a combined 400kW (536hp) and 760Nm of torque. That’s sent to all four wheels through a plug-in hybrid system supported by a 31.8kWh BYD Blade battery. The claimed combined WLTC range stands at up to 850km, which is rather impressive for something this large and capable.
Singapore-bound specifications may differ slightly, but I suspect they won’t stray far from these figures.
Off the Beaten Path
The off-road course itself consists of 27 separate obstacles, designed to replicate some of China’s most challenging mountain and trail routes; potholes, gravel beds, steep inclines, water crossings, uneven rock sections.
The B5 rides on BYD’s DiSus-P adaptive suspension system, allowing quick adjustments to ride height and damper stiffness depending on the selected drive mode. In “Normal”, the ride is already plush enough for daily use while retaining enough composure to handle light trails. But switch into “Mountain” or “Rock” mode and the car transforms into something far more purposeful.
Throughout the course, the B5 remained unflustered. It climbed, crawled and waded through terrain that would make most luxury SUVs reconsider their life choices. At one point, the vehicle tackled a deep water crossing and a rather theatrical metal see-saw contraption without so much as a creak from the cabin.
Body roll and pitch reached roller-coaster levels, yet inside, the experience remained composed. No drama. No panic. Just quiet competence.
Conquering the Sand Wall
Then came the pièce de résistance: a 29.6-metre-high sand incline. The B5 approached the slope with minimal run-up and powered straight up, cresting the top without fuss. Even more impressive, it executed a mid-slope U-turn without sliding sideways.
This is where the engineering really shows. Torque delivery is smooth, traction is abundant, and the chassis feels properly balanced. For a vehicle pitched as a luxury offering, its off-road composure is genuinely impressive.
Luxury Without Compromise
What makes the experience all the more remarkable is that the B5 manages these feats without sacrificing comfort. Passengers remain ensconced in Nappa leather seats that are heated, ventilated and equipped with massage functions. Even while traversing uneven terrain, the cabin maintains a sense of calm and composure.
It is a curious juxtaposition: crawling over rocks and sand while enjoying the sort of seating comfort typically reserved for executive limousines. Perhaps that is the B5’s greatest strength. It doesn’t force a choice between luxury and capability. It simply offers both.
Interested?
The DENZA B5 is slated to arrive in Singapore around March to April 2026, with pricing details yet to be announced.
If the final production model remains close to what I experienced in Zhengzhou, it will enter the market with a compelling blend of off-road ability, hybrid efficiency and luxury comfort.
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