by Denza Bao 5 enters the UK market: a new competitor for the Land Rover Defender
BYD continues to actively promote its premium brand Denza in Europe, and the latest new car to arrive in the UK is the Denza Bao 5. This is an SUV created as a competitor to the legendary Land Rover Defender, which is already sold in China under the name Fangchengbao. Its technical specifications are designed to lure customers away from familiar luxury SUVs. However, its price is not low.
The price in the UK starts from £69,500 ($93,200) for the Elegance version and £78,880 ($105,800) for the Ultimate version. This puts it on par with the Land Rover Defender 110 plug-in hybrid, which costs from £72,000 ($96,600). This is a risky move, as Chinese brands usually enter a new market by offering lower prices, but Denza is asking Defender-level money for a brand that most British buyers have never heard of. Denza also positions the Bao 5 as a competitor to the Toyota Land Cruiser, Ineos Grenadier, BMW X5, and Mercedes GLE.
Read: BYD’s New Denza Z More Than Doubles A 911 Turbo S’s Power For Less Than GTS Money
Technical specifications and platform
The Bao 5 is built on a ladder frame platform, which is also used in the BYD Shark 6 and the larger Denza 8 (known in China as the Fangchengbao Bao 8). Both UK versions, Elegance and Ultimate, share the same foundation.
Both versions are equipped with the same longitudinal engine plug-in hybrid setup, which Denza claims is a first for any plug-in hybrid. This is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 148 hp and 240 Nm of torque. Such figures would be insufficient for such a heavy vehicle, so the Bao 5 relies on two electric motors. The front motor produces 268 hp and 360 Nm, while the rear motor produces 383 hp and 400 Nm. The total system power is 536 hp and 760 Nm of torque.
In a straight line, the lighter Elegance version can accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, while the Ultimate reaches this mark in 5.0 seconds. Both use the same 31.8 kWh battery, providing an electric-only range of up to 90 km. With the internal combustion engine, the total range is 864 km. The top speed of both models is limited to 180 km/h, so they are not as well suited for high-speed highways as some competitors.
Charging and off-road capabilities
DC fast charging reaches 100 kW, allowing the battery to charge from 30% to 80% in 16 minutes. AC charging at 11 kW takes just over three hours for a full charge from 15% to 100%.
Genuine off-road equipment
The Bao 5 promises serious off-road capability. It includes electronic front and rear differential locks that work together with the central differential lock. It also features double-wishbone suspension front and rear, as well as the proprietary DiSus-P body control system, which constantly adjusts damping and offers ground clearance adjustment of up to 140 mm.
Denza claims the central torque distribution reacts 30 times faster than a mechanical one. When the suspension is raised using DiSus-P, ground clearance increases to 310 mm, which is almost 20 mm more than the Land Rover Defender, and approach and departure angles reach 39 and 34 degrees respectively.
Interior and technology
The interior features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, and an available screen for the front passenger. Ultimate versions also include ventilated and heated front and rear seats, leather upholstery, and a cooled and heated storage compartment.
This storage compartment is located on the center console next to an electric cupholder with a lifting mechanism. The 4.5-liter cooled and heated box can hold eight beverage bottles. It cools to temperatures from -6°C to 15°C or heats contents to 35-50°C, has memory when turned off, detects objects, and can be activated remotely via the Denza app. The same app provides a Bao 5 digital key for locking, unlocking, and starting, while an NFC key works without a phone signal and even when the smartphone battery is almost dead.
New electric cars and plug-in hybrids from China are already gaining popularity in the UK, and there is no reason to believe the Bao 5 will be an exception. If the price is right, the combination of a rugged exterior, cutting-edge technology, and excellent performance should be enough to lure many potential buyers away from Toyota, Land Rover, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz dealerships.
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li stated that the company expects the Bao 5 to win over European buyers who want genuine off-road capability without sacrificing premium comfort or technology.
Thus, the Denza Bao 5 becomes a serious player in the premium SUV market, offering impressive technical specifications and modern technology. Its success will depend on whether the brand can convince buyers of its value, despite the high price and unfamiliar name. At the same time, its powerful hybrid system, significant range, and serious off-road capabilities make it an attractive alternative for those looking for something new and technologically advanced.
