2026 Denza Bao 5 review: cut-price Chinese SUV has serious appeal
On sale Summer 2026 Price from £69,500
In the same way you might choose a supermarket’s own-brand Arctic Bar to enjoy the chocolately, sweet-toothed Penguin experience at a very un-Penguin price point, the Denza Bao 5 is here to try and prove that you don't need to pay big bucks to drive a premium plug-in hybrid SUV.
With beefy looks and promises of off-road prowess which place it squarely into contention with the Land Rover Defender, this Chinese-made SUV will be sold in the UK with a 1.5-litre petrol engine working in conjunction with two electric motors.
The combined power output of 537bhp – which is more than you get from most versions of the Defender – is sent to all four wheels. The resulting 0-62mph sprint time of 4.8sec is faster than most versions of the Defender (bar the range-topping V8-engined Defender Octa), while the official electric range of 56 miles is almost double what the Defender P300e can manage, courtesy of the 5's 31.8kWh battery. That range could be enough to cover your commute, the school run, or both, without ever needing to use a drop of petrol in between charges.
At the same time, the Bao 5's off-road credentials look serious – there are 16 driving modes to choose from, including settings for sand, mud, snow, ruts and almost every other type of terrain. The car's air suspension allows it to rise by up to 5cm to allow you to tackle steeper inclines or wade across rivers. And speaking of inclines, at its maximum raised height the Bao 5 has an approach angle of 39 degrees – one more than the Defender.
What’s the Denza B5 like to drive?
Definitely not short on power. If you press the accelerator pedal even lightly, the B5's significant reserves eagerly carries you forward. Plant your right foot into the carpet in its sharpest Sport driving mode, and the Bao 5 positively hurtles towards the horizon with the kind of gusto you wouldn't expect from a car this heavy.
The light steering means the B5 is a doddle to manoeuvre on tight city streets (where we suspect the model will spend much of its time) and its tight turning circle of 11.8m is impressive for such a large car – it's significantly smaller than that of the Defender 110's 12.8m. However while the steering's initial response is quicker than that of the Defender, its vagueness doesn't inspiring much confidence when placing the car on winding roads at higher speeds.
Where the Bao 5 struggles to convince the most is in its ride and handling. The Bao 5 pitches back when accelerating and there's a significant amount of body lean when cornering. That's not to say that a Defender doesn't do that as well, but it feels calmer and tidier to drive than the Denza, especially when equipped with air suspension.
The Denza Bao 5 also comes with standard-fit air suspension to help take the sting out of the worst potholes and road scars, but you still feel a good deal of what's beneath you. The Defender's air suspension, by comparison, does a far better job of isolating you from the battered nature of British Tarmac.
So far, our off-road testing has been limited to a short section of gravel track, but the Bao 5 confidently tackled it with the same gusto it did on Tarmac.
What’s the Denza Bao 5 like inside?
The B5 feels a cut above what we've seen from Denza-owned BYD until now. Most surfaces inside the Bao 5 are coated in soft-touch materials and there are different textures. However, there's still plenty of harder plastics on display (most noticeably around the centre console and on the lower edges of the car) and it's not up to the level of other SUVs at this price. True, a BMW X5 xDrive50e may cost significantly more, but an entry-level Defender 110 S P300e is similarly priced to the Bao 5.
There's a 12.3in digital instrument cluster in front of the driver, a 15.6in infotainment touchscreen, and a second 12.3in screen for the front passenger to use. The latter is polarised so the driver can't see it, but they'll certainly be able to hear you if you choose to indulge in the built-in karaoke function. Speaking of hearing, the 18-speaker stereo from French audio firm Devialet offers a good sound for your music.
We were impressed with the clarity and speed of the B5's infotainment system, which features built-in Google apps, including Maps, the Play store, and artificial intelligence through Google Gemini. We like that there are proper physical controls for most functions, rather than having you rely on the infotainment touchscreen. Plus, there are grab handles close by for your passengers to reach for when the going gets tough.
The B5's seats do a good job of holding you in place through corners, and are both heated and ventilated to keep you comfortable in all weathers. Even with the driving position set for a six-footer, another person of similar height sitting behind in the rear seats will find that they have plenty of room to stretch out. Head and leg room are simply vast, while the boot should have no trouble accommodating your holiday suitcases.
The main storage features include a wireless charging pad for your mobile phone and a built-in compartment beneath the central armrest to keep drinks cold – or hot if you prefer.
2026 Denza Bao B5 verdict
So here's where you'd expect the rub – and there is one, because the Bao 5's list price isn't as eye-catching as some may expect. As we mentioned earlier, a plug-in hybrid version of the BMW X5 will cost at least £10,000 more, but a Land Rover Defender 110 P300e S costs around £72,000, while the diesel engines are even less; a D250 costs less than £65,000, for example.
That said, you'll need to explore the Defender's extensive trim structure and options list to make sure all of your kit needs are covered; even entry-level Elegance versions of the Bao 5 get a generous level of equipment as standard. That list includes the stereo we mentioned earlier, along with 18in alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and the heated, ventilated and powered front seats.
The Bao 5 Ultimate, meanwhile, costs from £78,880 and has every conceivable luxury thrown in. Again, you'd need to spend upwards of £80,000 on a higher-spec Defender X-Dynamic HSE to reach a similar level of equipment - and that isn't as big a jump as you may expect. It's also worth checking how the Bao 5's PCP finance rates compare against the Defenders attractive monthly costs, thanks to that rival's strong residual values.
What Car? Says
Denza's new plug-in hybrid SUV should have the potential to tempt premium SUV buyers away from the established brands in this market. It has acres of space, plenty of power and an attractive electric-only range. However, it's ride and handling isn't quite as polished and its interior quality doesn't quite hold up to the high levels of the class. The Bao 5's off-road potential has also yet to be proven in our hands.
While the Bao 5 shows that Chinese-made SUVs can take a good stab at challenge the market leaders, the Bao 5's price isn't quite as competitive as the more affordable cars in the range.
What Car? rating: 3 stars out of 5
Denza Bao 5
Price £69,500 Engine 4cyl, 1498cc, turbo, petrol Power 537bhp Torque 561lb ft Gearbox 1-spd automatic, 4WD 0-62mph 4.8sec Top speed 112mph Official fuel economy 68.9mpg CO2, tax band 30g/km, 10%
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