During Denza Philippines’ official brand launch, the company also unveiled the D9 premium minivan, its first offering in the local market. At the same event, it gave us a sneak peek at its future models.

Two of those models stood out—two SUVs that looked relatively similar: the B5 and the B8. Company officials said these two models would be launched in the market soon, leaving many of us eagerly waiting.

March came and went with no official launch taking place. However, the duo was previewed again at the recently concluded 2026 Manila International Auto Show, where some showgoers were able to try them at Denza’s test-drive booth.

But the moment for these two new vehicles have finally arrived. After much teasing, Denza has now officially launched the B5 and B8 pickup-based premium plug-in hybrid SUVs.

To showcase their capabilities, the Chinese carmaker even built what it called the Denza Arena, a dedicated test-drive area with off-road courses and paved roads.

First, let’s talk about the five-seater B5. It measures 4,888mm long, 1,920mm wide, and 1,920mm tall—roughly the same size as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which is in the same segment.

It has the properly boxy SUV profile, with the familiar two-box styling and a full-size spare tire mounted at the back. The lighting is all-LED, and the 18-inch wheels are wrapped in 265/65 tires. Color options include Eclipse Black, Alpine White, Glacier Blue, Granite Gray, and the more distinctive Leopard Gold and Juniper Green.

The cabin delivers exactly what you’d expect from a modern SUV, but with plenty of added creature comforts. Material quality is top-notch.

The steering wheel hosts an assortment of buttons to control the trip computer, the infotainment system, the cruise control, and the drive modes. Behind it is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while a heads-up display sits above the dash.

In the center is a huge 15.6-inch ultra-high-definition screen that handles infotainment, drive and vehicle settings, and HVAC controls. The infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and is paired with an 800W 16-speaker Devialet audio system.

There’s no shortage of creature comforts either, with features like a large panoramic sunroof, a drink cooler/food warmer, and heated/ventilated massage seats.

But that’s just the beginning. The most impressive part of the B5 is its mechanical package. It uses electric motors on the front and rear axles, paired with a 1.5-liter turbocharged range extender.

Combined output is 570hp, with a staggering 760Nm of torque. With a fully charged 31.8kWh Blade battery pack and an 83L fuel tank, the B5 offers a total driving range of up to 975km. Despite its size, it can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.

It also comes with Denza’s DiPilot full suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, which includes adaptive cruise control, forward- and rear-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Surprisingly, this sits on a ladder-frame platform similar to the BYD Shark 6 DMO. Furthermore, it shares a lot of the mechanicals of the pickup from which it is based.

Next is the larger B8. It measures 5,195mm long, 1,994mm wide, and 1,905mm tall, putting it on par with other full-size SUVs in the market.

Like the B5, the B8 is a boxy SUV, but looks even more premium. It features a sculpted hood and a black grille with vertical slats bookended by full-LED headlamp clusters. The bumper is better integrated into the bodywork, using a combination of body-colored, flat-black, and silver trims.

The boxy theme continues along the sides, with flared fenders, chunky overriders, and body cladding for a rugged look. In contrast, it rides on stylish 20-inch rims wrapped in 275/55 tires, and the protruding door handles sit flush with the bodywork when the vehicle is locked.

The rear design is straightforward, featuring full-LED taillamp clusters and a full-size spare tire with neat cladding that houses the rear camera and the license plate holder. The B8 is available in Nebula Silver, Alpine White, Eclipse Black, and the eye-catching Emerald Green and Dawn Gold.

Inside, the B8’s cabin is similar to the B5’s, but looks even more upscale and luxurious. Premium leather is abundant throughout the steering wheel, the door cards, the dashboard, and the center console trims.

It’s also packed with tech: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, numerous controls on the steering wheel and the center console, and a large 17.3-inch ultra-high-definition center control screen.

This screen also serves as the infotainment hub, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Like the B5, it features an 800W Devialet audio system, this time with 18 speakers for an immersive listening experience. You can also activate the four-zone voice command system by saying, “Hi, Denza.”

The B8 adds even more comfort and convenience features, including a tri-zone climate control system with a negative ion purifier and ventilated, heated, and massaging front seats. All seats are upholstered in either genuine or Nappa leather.

The second- and third-row seats can be electronically folded or raised via buttons located in the luggage compartment. Other amenities include a panoramic sunroof and an in-car refrigerator.

Like the B5, the B8 comes equipped with the full DiPilot suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. On top of that, it features Denza’s DiSus-P Intelligent Damping Suspension.

Powering the B8 are two electric motors (one on each axle) and a larger 2.0-liter range extender. Combined, they produce 603hp and 760Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100km/h time of just 4.8 seconds. A 91.5L fuel tank and a 36.9kWh Blade battery pack give it a total range of close to 1,000km.

The B8 also rides the same DMO platform as the BYD Shark 6 and the smaller B5. This was stretched a bit, giving room for three rows of seating for seven passengers.

There are two available variants for the B8: Dynamic and Premium, with the latter getting even more toys and better interior appointments.

Both the B5 and the B8 are seriously capable SUVs. More than the high ground clearance and the aggressive approach, break-over and departure angles, each offers 11 drive modes for any kind of terrain and road conditions.

Both also come standard with Denza’s Leopard Turn system, which allows the front and rear wheels to spin in different directions, making it possible to maneuver through very tight off-road corners.

One of the best things about these SUVs, though, is their pricing. The B5 is priced at just P3,798,000, undercutting its nearest Japanese rival by more than a million pesos. A comparable five-seat luxury SUV, its direct competitor is almost P5,000,000 more expensive.

On the other hand, the B8 starts at P4,998,000 for the Dynamic variant and at P5,398,000 for the higher Premium variant. Equipped with a lot of bells and whistles, it manages to sell for the same money as its established competitors, while its direct rival is P7,500,000 pricier.

What do you think of Denza’s latest offerings? Are the features and the capabilities enough justification to command the above-mentioned sticker prices?