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The success BYD has found with the plug-in hybrid Shark 6 ute could unlock a 'passionate' customer base for its new Denza prestige marque, the company says.
Family Cars
BYD's new Denza prestige brand is eyeing the 16,000-plus Australians who have taken delivery of a BYD Shark 6 ute so far this year, who may be after an SUV as their second car.
The Denza B5 is effectively a higher spec, SUV version of the popular Shark 6, with a related ladder frame but a more powerful version of its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Denza chief operating officer Mark Harland told Drive the B5 will appeal to Shark 6 owners looking for a similar proposition – but a different body style – to join their garage.
"We've certainly had families that are, let's say, BYD families who are saying that they want an SUV, and they're looking at the Denza," he said.
"So yes, you may have a family where there's already a Shark 6 in the driveway, who are now looking to put a B5 in the driveway.
"I absolutely see that as an opportunity early on, and those are the people we'll be talking to. Those are the people who are already quite passionate about the BYD brand.
"They've seen what we can do with the Shark, and they're considering an SUV, so Denza fits them."
It is in the vein of Toyota HiLux customers who may consider a Fortuner or Prado as a more family-focused vehicle, or Ford Ranger owners looking to the related Everest SUV as a second, off-road-capable purchase.
The B5 is priced from $74,990 plus on-road costs, compared to $57,900 for the Shark 6 Premium, but it packs in more luxury, capability, and power.
More powerful electric motors paired to the same 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine boost the plug-in hybrid to system outputs of 400kW and 760Nm, up from 321kW and 650Nm, for a claimed zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 4.8 seconds, down from 5.7sec.
The B5 is rated to tow 3000kg – up from 2500kg in the 1.5-litre Shark 6 – but both are trumped by the Denza B8's 3500kg, the capabilities of which are set to be matched by an upcoming 2.0-litre version of the BYD ute.
Both Denza SUVs are available with front and rear differential locks that are absent from the Shark 6, something tests have shown hurts its off-road performance, and sees it rely on traction control software for grip on rocky ascents.
Family Cars Guide
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
