New Denza Bao 5 prices confirmed for UK
Don't want a Defender? Can't get a Land Cruiser? Now there's another £70k SUV...
Given the arrival of the Denza Bao 5 attracted extensive comment on PH earlier this month, there’s a chance you’ve already heard of BYD’s top tier SUV. Denza is its upmarket offshoot, a Lexus to BYD’s Toyota, and the Bao 5 is its Land Cruiser alternative: huge, sturdy, and packed with off-road tech. Plus a 544hp plug-in powertrain, which the Toyota certainly can’t boast. So the more senior Defenders might be considered rivals as well.
Certainly that was the impression from Sam’s first drive, and given the speculation on price, which we now know was bob on: the Denza Bao 5 in Ultimate spec will cost £78,880. Currently a Land Cruiser with its 2.8 diesel is from £80,945; spend around £80k on a Defender 110 and the choice is between D350 and 300hp four-cylinder PHEV. The Denza might not have a prestigious powertrain, combining a 1.5-litre engine with e-motors, though there’s no arguing with the stats. And it’s hardly like there are truly charismatic engines available elsewhere…
The Bao will launch in the UK with two models, the Elegance kicking off at £69,500. It’s actually the sprightlier of the two versions, shaving two tenths off the Ultimate’s five-second sprint to 62 (perhaps as it’s not weighed down by air suspension and electrically deploying side steps). Probably going to make quite the sight, something that looks like a Nissan Patrol accelerating as hard as an M2 while sounding like a supermini. Both offer up to 519 miles of combined range, with a claimed max of 56 on electric.
Standard kit for the Elegance is ‘second-to-none in the segment’, says Denza, with heated and cooled massage seats, an 18-speaker Devialet stereo and even food storage that can keep a steak bake warm up to 50 degrees. Then cool your dessert down all the way to minus six, if needed. Just maybe don’t go for anything too messy: interior colours are Eclipse Blue, Shoal Green, and Tarim Desert Beige, all of which sound tricky to get chocolate sauce out of. Wheels are 18-inch, side steps are fixed, and roof rails are included.
It’s the Ultimate that’s been seen in all the coverage so far, though, and which seems likely to be the biggest seller. For looks as much as anything: the car here is on 20s, so it might look a bit strange on mere 18s. Additionally there’s ‘a higher grade’ of Nappa leather included, plus the aforementioned DiSus-P air suspension and more wireless charging trays. Don’t forget to budget for paint, too, as Snowy White is the only standard colour. If it’s good enough for Porsche, it’s good enough for Denza. The Tarim Polar Gold seen here, as well as Shadow Black, Pinnacle Grey, Wagner Glacier Blue and Dolomite Green are £2,000. Those who really want to stand out at cricket training can go for Mineral Purple, and that’s £3,500.
While orders aren’t open as yet, customers can register their interest ahead of sales in 2027. You’re not going to miss seeing one for the first time, that’s for sure…
Mind you, you have to start building that reputation somewhere. Maybe BYD see bringing it here as a loss leader to help establish the brand.
The land rover crew wants a LR. Doesn’t matter the cost or reliability. They want a LR.
70k is too much for the cant afford a LR crew.
70k is too much for the country farmer as they either want LR or cheap as pickup. Also farmers go with who ever dealer is closest.
Only way this sells is a massive lease insensitive. £300pm. No one in their right mind would foot the depreciation on it. I reckon it will be worth £30k in 3 years.
No one will take that hit without it having the prestige on your drive.
The land rover crew wants a LR. Doesn t matter the cost or reliability. They want a LR.
70k is too much for the cant afford a LR crew.
70k is too much for the country farmer as they either want LR or cheap as pickup. Also farmers go with who ever dealer is closest.
Only way this sells is a massive lease insensitive. £300pm. No one in their right mind would foot the depreciation on it. I reckon it will be worth £30k in 3 years.
No one will take that hit without it having the prestige on your drive.
Not saying the Toyotas or Defenders are real lookers (especially out-of-the-box), but this one seemed awkwardly styled, proportions wrong, etc. and just really looked like a bad knock-off.
This or a lightly used Cayenne? Now let me think for a nanosecond.
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