Denza D9 takes aim at the Lexus LM as a ‘PREMIUM’ MPV

The Denza D9 arrives as a ‘Luxury’ MPV with a PHEV powertrain and prices up to £85k, aimed at the Lexus LM.

BYD’s ‘Posh’ brand, Denza, is aiming to take on ‘Premium’ car makers like Porsche and Land Rover with its recent arrivals in the UK, with the Denza Z, Denza Z9 GT and Denza Bao 5, but, unlike most Chinese brands, it’s doing so with some chunky pricing rather than offering bargain buys.

Now, Denza is taking aim at Lexus with the Denza D9, a luxury MPV with a clever PHEV powertrain and prices up to £85,000, not as much as the Lexus LM, but a chunky ask nonetheless.

The PHEV powertrain on the D9 has a 228bhp motor at the front and a 60bhp motor at the back, together with a 1.5-litre petrol engine good for 120bhp, with power for the electric motors coming from a 58.5kWh battery which can be plugged in and be charged by the petrol engine, and able to hit 62mph in 8.6 seconds.

The setup allows for a 130-mile EV range and a total range of 590 miles, with charging of the battery from 10-70% theoretically possible in five minutes.

Entry-level for the D9 is Elegance trim (from £75,000), which comes with power sliding doors, leather, huge Panoramic roof, cooling and heated storage, posh Sound, 15.6″ infotainment, 10.5″ driver display, and heated, cooling and massaging front seats.

Range-topping Ultimate trim (from £85,000) adds foot gesture door opening, Zero Gravity seats in the second row with massaging and 152-degree recline and individual 12.8″ infotainment screens.

Other goodies include Nappa leather, heating and ventilation for all seats, HUD, 10.25″ passenger display, digital rear-view mirror and wood trim inserts.