The Denza B8, originally introduced as the Fangchengbao Bao 8 in China, is one of the most expensive SUVs across BYD’s brands. The full-size body-on-frame SUV, positioned above the Denza B5, is a high-end, off-road-focused vehicle featuring plug-in hybrid technology.
Currently on sale in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, the Denza B8 is expected to be launched in European markets in the future.
At the 2026 Bangkok International Motor Show, we had a chance to take a closer look at its styling, comfort, space, quality, and various other key aspects. Here are our thoughts:
Design
With its classic SUV shape, high ground clearance, and rugged styling, the Denza B8 has a tough character. The designers have intentionally kept its exterior simplistic and utilitarian to complement its squarish SUV look.
The tall and upright front end, with large grilles, headlamps, and boxy details, communicates the B8’s off-road-oriented positioning. The high-set bonnet with pronounced power domes along the edges adds to this look.
On the sides, the B8 features trapezoidal wheel arches with gloss black cladding, strong shoulders, chunky rocker panels, fixed steps, and 21-inch alloy wheels. The straight character lines and roofline, the squarish windows and quarter glass panels, and raised roof rails reflect the rugged exterior design.
At the rear, the B8 mirrors the front with an upright posture and features a side-hinged tailgate with a spare wheel mounted on it and vertically positioned rectangular tail lamps.
Interior
The interior of the Denza B8 goes well with its rugged exterior. The dashboard is upright and thick, with vertical outboard AC vents and integrated grab handles. The wide, high-set centre console integrates a host of switches and buttons for drive modes, off-road functions, and other key functions.
The four-spoke steering wheel features a large, rectangular centre pad and vertically oriented rectangular button panels. The instrument cluster isn’t a free-standing display like in most electric SUVs these days and has been traditionally positioned within a hooded binnacle.
Experience in the Denza B8
Depending on the market, the B8 is available in a five-, six-, or seven-seat version. In the seven-seat version I experienced, the front seats feature 16-way (driver) and 14-way (passenger) power adjustment, along with 10-point massage, memory, welcome retract, heating, and ventilation functions. They also include a 4-way power-adjustable leg rest and power-adjustable side bolsters.
I am 5’7″ tall and found no issues entering or exiting the front seats. The seating position is high, and entry requires stepping up using the side step. Outside visibility is excellent. The door mirrors are large and wide, providing a clear rearward view. The SUV also features a digital rearview mirror, which is handy when carrying a full load of occupants.
There is around eight inches of headroom, and the under-thigh support is also adequate. The seats offer good back and shoulder support, with wide backrests.
The interior quality is impressive. Most surfaces feature thick soft-touch padding. Metallic inserts are used across the dashboard, door panels, and centre console. The doors are heavy and require effort to open fully, consistent with the vehicle’s rugged design.
Access to the second row also requires stepping up, as it is a frame SUV. A grab handle is integrated into the B-pillar and finished with metallic-look inserts.
With the driver’s seat set to my position, there is enough legroom to stretch out and slide feet under the front seats. The 60:40-split seat is four-way power adjustable, allowing recline and fore-aft movement. Back and shoulder support are good, and overall comfort is high.
The second row includes two seatback pockets and two touch panels for ventilation, heating, media, and climate controls. AC vents are mounted in the ceiling on both sides, integrated behind speaker grilles. Two USB Type-C ports are placed on the inner side of the front passenger seatback. A boss mode function allows the front passenger seat to be electrically adjusted from the rear.
Access to the third row is easy. A one-touch function on the 40 per cent section of the split rear seat behind the front passenger seat folds and slides it forward, creating sufficient entry space.
The 50:50-split third-row seat offers a power recline function. Comfort is suitable for short trips. Under-thigh support is limited, resulting in a knees-up seating position.
Legroom is sufficient, as feet can be placed under the second-row seats, but knee room is limited to around three inches. Back support is good, while shoulder support is average due to the low backrest height.
The third row includes ceiling-mounted AC vents, an adjustable headrest, two cupholders, and two USB Type-C ports. Outside visibility is good, supported by large fixed rear quarter glass panels.
Specifications
At 5,195 mm long, 1,994 mm wide, and 1,905 mm tall, the Denza B8 is quite big for European roads. The full-size SUV has a 2,920 mm wheelbase and offers up to 310 mm of ground clearance. Its approach, break-over, and departure angles are 34º, 26º, and 35º, respectively. A mechanical locking differential is standard on the rear axle and available on the front axle.
Under the bonnet, there’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 145 kW (194 bhp) and 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.) of torque. Two electric motors, a low-output unit on the front axle and a high-output unit on the rear axle, assist the engine.
The front motor produces 200 kW (268 bhp) and 360 Nm (266 lb.-ft.) of torque, and the rear motor develops 300 kW (402 bhp) and 400 Nm (295 lb.-ft.) of torque. The petrol-electric combination offers 425 kW (570 bhp) of total power and 760 Nm (561 lb.-ft.) of total torque, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 4.8 seconds.
A 36.8 kWh LFP battery pack powers the electric motors and delivers an electric range of 100 kilometres (62 miles), as per WLTC. According to the same rating method, the combined range is 905 kilometres (562 miles).
Price
While BYD is considering more Fangchengbao models for the UK, there’s no official announcement on the Denza B8’s local availability yet. In China, the B8’s prices start at CNY 379,800 (approx. GBP 41,200) and go up to CNY 423,800 (approx. GBP 46,000).
Since 2014, I’ve worked as an international automotive editor, attending global motor shows, industry events, media drives, and tracking the latest developments across the sector, with a particular focus on electrified vehicles.
