The onslaught of Chinese vehicles arriving in the Philippines can be aesthetically segmented into two – retro or futuristic. There’s the likes of the GWM Tank 300 and Jetour T2 that are throwbacks while the BYD Sealion 6, MG G50 PHEV, and the GAC Emzoom are more design forward.
This is why it’s very surprising to see Denza, the premium arm of BYD who’s known for futuristic design, have contemporary looks for the Denza B5. They passed on the global trend of neo-retro cosmetics and instead, created this LC200-looking brute. Don’t let the size fool you though as this isn’t your typical full-size SUV. This one is efficient and only costs PHP 3,798,000.
Uncompromised power
The power expected at this segment is next level. One can’t be satisfied with just 500 Nm of torque. Denza knows that which is why the B5 is ready with its 578 PS and 760 Nm of pull. All of that and this behemoth sips fuel like a millennial that takes a whole day to finish their iced coffee. The B5 only has a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. I was going back and forth from Metro Manila to Bulacan and the fuel gauge isn’t decreasing noticeably even in traffic. If my wife and I didn’t go to Tagaytay for a day trip, I could’ve limited my consumption to less than 1/4 of its tank.
I had the B5 for 8 days and I didn’t have to refuel, which is a first for me. Again, I was travelling from San Rafael, Bulacan to events in QC, Makati, Alabang, and BGC. I just charge it every night with its portable charger. I’ll have 80% battery in the morning (capped for battery health) and it’s more than ready for a long drive again. The 100km of EV range is more than enough to assist the engine even on highway runs that leads to the frugal fuel consumption.
I checked my usage at the end of the month since it is an additional expense for 8 days but the 2kw portable charger didn’t even make a dent. I was expecting at least a thousand pesos increase given the time I was charging but our bill reflected that our usage actually went down for the month. Okay maybe we didn’t use the aircon in a couple of days. My point is, this thing is efficient.
Rugged and plush
For those who care, the B5 can still slug it out on the dirt. It has 200mm of ground clearance, 2.5-ton towing capacity, and 600kg of payload capacity. It also has a lot of drive modes for different road conditions. I didn’t try it in hardcore offroading scenarios but it didn’t even sweat in the wet muddy roads of rural Bulacan. This can easily go to Lake Mapanuepe or play on the lahar beds of Pampanga.
In contrast to its rugged looks and capability is the very plush cabin. It’s comfortable, spacious, and best of all – the ergonomics are in check. The seating position at the rear is alright even on long drives, while the driver’s seat is a thing of beauty. I appreciate whatever they did with its position because even after a 300km drive, there wasn’t any fatigue on my body. My eyes were strained, but my arms, legs, and feet were still ready for more driving.
It also has hidden treats that tell you it’s not your typical SUV. The shifter retracts into the center console, and pops-up upon opening the driver’s door. There’s a legit cooling pad on the wireless charger and the headrest has speakers. My favorite though is the mini-refrigerator in the center console. They even thought of using it at night as they put a mini light that automatically turns on if you open it at night time.
Blissful drive
Aside from its efficiency, what made the Denza B5 very appealing to me is the comfort it provides even on a long trip. As I’ve said, I took it to a 300km drive in a single day and my body wasn’t in any sort of fatigue. It’s surprising to me because a single 125km trip from Bulacan to QC and back would make my body demand for a rest in a gas station. Here, I can just go on and on.
It’s a behemoth of a vehicle but Denza made sure you’ll have an easier time navigating even on tight city streets. There are sharp and accurate cameras around the vehicle that you can activate for better viewing angles of the exterior. The steering is easy and light so you won’t have a problem with 2 or 3 point turns.
For a car that has 760 Nm of torque on tap, the B5 is surprisingly gentle on the throttle in normal mode that you’d think it has a lot less. This, along with its steering and ride comfort, make the B5 a gentle giant out there on the road. It can act like a normal SUV with a smooth CVT, or a raunchy car ready for the dirt.
The Denza B5 is undercutting its rivals with its PHP 3,798,000. It is just more loaded while being a million pesos or so less than the Japs. And unlike other Chinese SUVs, this isn’t a softroader by any means. It can truly tackle the unpaved roads at a press of a button all while being apt for city driving. It may not be as trendy or aesthetically enticing as other SUVs from the red country but it’s comfortable, capable, and easy to drive – things that make the Denza B5 easy to fall for.
