2025 BYD Denza D9 review: Quick drive

Denza is about to go on the hunt for Kia Carnival, Zeekr 009 and Lexus LM buyers.

The posh offshoot of Chinese mega brand BYD is bringing the D9 people mover to Australia as a luxury offering with some high-tech powertrain options on the table.

At a preview drive in China I tested out the Denza D9 DM-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and while it mightn’t seem like a cutting-edge option, the powertrain and drive experience were surprising.

How much does the BYD Denza 9 cost?

There isn’t a confirmation yet that the D9 is coming to Australia, but in China it’s priced between 339,800 and 600,600 yuan, or roughly A$72,750 to $128,500.

The previous pricing is for the DM-i plug-in hybrid model, while the high-end option is the fully electric model. It is known that, if Australia were more likely to get a D9, it might be a plug-in hybrid in the beginning, with a limited marketplace for $130K+ EV people movers… 

That space is currently occupied by the Zeekr 009, and the LDV Mifa 9 – neither of which have seen significant cut-through or sales volume in Australia. Oh, and the Lexus LM range, which kicks off at $160,000 or so for a plug-free hybrid.

The large-name within the Aussie market, though, is the Kia Carnival, which accounts for greater than 80% of all latest people movers sold available in the market.

But that’s the official new-vehicle number, and doesn’t include the grey-import marketplace for Toyota Alphard and Vellfire models – reportedly tallying 599 units in 2024. 

That, in keeping with BYD/Denza insiders, may very well be the market segment that this automobile will aim at – in other words, above a high-spec Carnival hybrid ($76,630 plus on-roads) but below the aforementioned six-figure EV MPVs.

In China, it has a heap of normal equipment, and comes with a 2+2+3 seat layout, with middle-row captain’s chairs.

Have your say within the comments – what should the D9 cost, if it comes Down Under?

What’s the BYD Denza 9 like on the within?

Up front there are screens aplenty.

The motive force gets an older style 10.25-inch instrument display with a heap of at-a-glance information on offer, while the central touchscreen is a good 15.6 inch unit with numerous key controls managed through it.

There’s climate control adjustment for all three rows of seating available through the screen, and that a part of the menu system stays docked at the underside as well. 

It’s a deep tech setup with dozens of menus on offer, but I didn’t have much time to play with it.

The test vehicle had a second 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, with connected services allowing live streaming (and the back seat screens have that, too).

Thankfully there are many usable physical controls as well, including buttons for the sliding rear doors and numerous other features. One which may get a whole lot of use is the button on the steering wheel to bring up the surround-view camera.

It feels plush and cozy, but in addition practical. There are cupholders between the seats, a console storage area, and a hidden shelf below the ‘bridge’ between the seats. 

The test vehicle featured down pillows for front and middle row occupants, and the motive force gets a digital camera mirror system to see out the back, because the rearview mirror can appear crowded with a couple of faces on board.

Second-row riders are spoiled.

There are 50W wireless charging smartphone docks, USB-C charging ports, and touchscreens to regulate for heating, cooling, massage and media settings. It’s a really plush place to take a seat.

There’s a fridge that opens to second-row riders too, with temperature adjustable between -6°C and +50°C – so you’ll be able to keep your choccy milks cool or your sausage rolls hot.

There are media screens for rear riders as well, and the general comfort and entertainment experience is clearly aimed toward the 2 in the center row of seats.

The most important concern for potential buyers of this automobile may very well be that very seat layout.

It has a 2+2+3 design, with the centre row seating being focused on luxuriousness somewhat than outright practicality, and meaning those buckets don’t slide forward to permit third-row access.

As a substitute, you’re expected to (be sufficiently small to) slither between the captain’s chairs to access the very back. It’s manageable, however it definitely makes the slide/fold setup of MPVs just like the Carnival seem simply elegant.

Admittedly, no Carnival has the extent of plushness the captain’s chairs here have. But I’m not so sure that’s as vital as easy third-row access. 

Once within the very back row, the space is decent but not mindblowing. With the middle-row seating set for me to have a very good amount of room, I used to be a bit cramped within the very back (at 182cm/6’0”).

My knees were just brushing the beautiful leather-accented trim, my toes were tightly positioned under the seat, but there are great amenities within the back.

Bandits get things like cup holders (x4), pockets on the seatbacks (x6), USB-C ports (x2), electric sliding and reclining for the seats, and even third-row seat heating and cooling!

There’s also a flip-down armrest, and it might make a more comfortable six-seater than seven-seater, I’d say. Moreover, there are ISOFIX points within the window seats for each rear rows, and top-tethers, in fact, too. 

Boot space varies between 390 litres with the third-row upright to a claimed 2310L with the rear rows of seating folded away.

Again, it isn’t as cleverly packaged as a Kia Carnival in terms of the boot area, as those very rear seats can’t be folded down into the ground area, meaning you’ll should plonk stuff on top if you should take a whole lot of stuff with you.

What’s under the bonnet?

Listed below are the specs of the Denza D9 DM-i, which is the model we had a probability to check… which probably wasn’t by accident.

And when you’re curious, listed here are the EV version’s specs:

Which might you be keener to see here? Have your say within the comments.

How does the BYD Denza 9 drive?

My drive of the D9 was temporary, so this a part of the review will likely be, too.

What I learned after a few laps of a carpark with a marked course and a whole lot of witches hats was that this can be a higher handling thing than you’d think. It’s a 2.7-tonne bus in any case, however it hustles.

With a Macpherson front suspension setup and multi-link rear with adaptive damping, there was a level of driveability that I wasn’t expecting from the D9.

In fact it exhibits some body roll – in reality, it exhibits a whole lot of body roll. But the way in which that it ties corners together is impressive, with steering that’s involving and direct, with trustworthy responsiveness.

I had more fun than I expected to while pushing it through a slalom and attempting some tighter twists and turns.

And the powertrain is excellent, too. With a powerful surge of torque from the electrical motors at low speeds, the petrol engine kicks into life at about 70km/h, making for strong continued progress as pace climbs.

There’s a positive feel to the brake as well, despite it possessing a less aggressive regenerative braking system than you may expect – there’s no single-pedal driving option.

I didn’t really attempt any parking manoeuvres, however the camera and sensor array made me feel confident it might be an easy thing to pilot right into a spot, despite its size.

What do you get?

Full specs and details aren’t known yet, but below is a guide as to what the Chinese-spec model has.

Denza D9 equipment highlights:

• LED lighting
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster
• Leather accented trim
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Massaging front seats
• Memory settings
• Heated and ventilated second-row seats
• Massaging second-row seats
• Heated and ventilated third-row window seats
• Electric seat adjustment for first, second and third rows
• 15.6-inch central touchscreen
• Satellite navigation with connected services
• 16-speaker Devialet sound system
• Front passenger touchscreen
• 2 x 12.8-inch rear seat entertainment screens 
• Wireless charging
• Dual sunroofs
• Climate control air-con
• Console refrigerator

Is the BYD Denza 9 protected?

The Denza D9 has a heap of normal safety gear fitted, as you’d expect – it hasn’t been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP though, naturally.

It runs the DiPilot 300 ADAS system, with the next sensors included:

• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree surround view camera
• 12 exterior cameras
• 12 ultrasonic radars
• 5 millimetre wave radars
• 1 Lidar
• In-car camera
• All-speed adaptive cruise control
• Level 2 autonomous driving – including city and highway road

It also has dual front, driver’s knee, front side, rear side, and full-length curtain airbags.

How much does the BYD Denza 9 cost to run?

It is predicted that Denza will hit our market with a powerful warranty offering – possibly mirroring that of parent company BYD at six-years, 150,000km.

Battery pack warranty will likely be eight years, as it’s the industry standard. Servicing details and roadside coverage are yet to be determined.

CarExpert’s Tackle the BYD Denza 9

The Denza D9 is a luxurious and premium feeling people mover. It perhaps isn’t as practical as a Kia Carnival, however it has a plug-in hybrid system that sets it apart.

Should it make its way Down Under with competitive price positioning, the Denza D9 may very well be very intriguing for families and fleet customers alike.

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