The Denza D9 is scheduled to enter the UK’s premium full-size MPV segment in mid-2026 as one of three new offerings from Denza, BYD’s premium sub-brand, competing against models such as the Lexus LM.
Recently, we spent some time with it in the regular and Phantom Edition models in an Asian-market spec, and here are our first impressions.
Design
The front fascia of the D9 uses a tall and wide closed-off faux grille element integrated with large horizontal lighting clusters. The grille area is surrounded by silver trim, with the central pattern available in either a vertical silver finish or a more block-style triangular design.
Viewed from the side, a long wheelbase and short overhangs maximise interior length, cabin volume, and passenger access via large sliding doors for the second row. Large connected door handles and a horizontal trim element at the lower section of the doors help create contrast along the side surfaces.
Viewed from the rear, the D9 features blacked-out pillars and a roof spoiler that help create a floating roof effect. Wide, connected horizontal LED tail lamps with integrated sequential indicators sit just below the rear glass, accentuating the width of the vehicle, with Denza lettering positioned underneath.
Available exterior colours include blue, black, white, and grey. Both trims are fitted with silver-finished multi-spoke alloy wheels, with 18-inch wheels fitted as standard.
Interior
The interior of the Denza D9 is configured to prioritise rear passenger comfort, with captain’s seats fitted as standard in the second row on both trims. Rear passengers are provided with individual multimedia displays for infotainment use, along with an armrest-mounted LCD screen for seat controls.
Driver information is via a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, with an additional 12-inch head-up display fitted to the all-wheel-drive trim. Infotainment is handled by a centrally mounted 15.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay support. A heated and cooled beverage cabinet for the second row is standard across the range.
Interior materials include leather upholstery in varying grades across the range, finished in either beige or brown, and paired with wood-finished trim elements. A basic lumbar massage function is standard on the second-row seats in the entry trim, while the higher trim adds an upgraded multi-mode massage system.
Experience in the Denza D9
Getting into the Denza D9 Phantom Edition feels easy because the floor height is lower in a people mover. Once seated up front, the cabin comes across immediately as luxury-focused, with a wraparound-style dashboard and door design.
As a six-footer, the front seat feels very comfortable and offers good headroom, very good under-thigh support, and good back and shoulder support. The seat provides a wide range of adjustments. Outward visibility is helped by the large glass area. The steering wheel feels grippy and is manually adjustable for reach and rake.
The main screen looks large. HVAC controls sit below the screen, and the HVAC on/off function is available as a physical control near the drive selector area. The centre area includes physical buttons for functions such as drive modes, and a roller-style control is present for audio volume.
Moving to the second row, entry remains easy even for a six-footer. The second row uses captain’s chairs, and the seating position feels comfortable with strong back support, abundant headroom, and very good under-thigh support. The seats are electrically adjustable, including recline and fore-aft movement.
Controls are located on the left armrest, and a small digital display is also present for seat adjustments. The outboard seats include leg rests or extenders that support the lower legs for longer journeys. A vertical phone slot under the armrest allows a phone to be inserted for charging.
The third row feels better suited to shorter passengers. With two six-foot occupants sitting back-to-back, space in the third row feels limited.
Access to the third row is through the narrow gap between the second-row captain’s chairs, which makes entry not all that convenient for taller passengers. The third row includes an armrest, but overall comfort and space feel restricted compared to the first two rows.
Specifications
The Denza D9 uses a Blade LFP battery to power the wheels in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations. In the international markets, power output is rated at 230 kW for the front-wheel-drive model and 275 kW for the all-wheel-drive version. Torque figures are quoted at 360 Nm and 470 Nm respectively.
Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes approximately 9.5 seconds for the front-wheel-drive model and 6.9 seconds for the all-wheel-drive version. Driving range is rated at up to 323 miles for the front-wheel-drive model and 298 miles for the all-wheel-drive model under WLTC testing standards.
The vehicle uses a 103 kWh battery and supports AC charging at up to 11 kW and DC fast charging at up to 166 kW, where 150 km (93 miles) of range can be added in 10 minutes.
Price & Release Date
Also See: First Look Review: Denza B5 looks to target adventure-seekers in the UK
The Denza brand made its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2025, and is expected to be listed on the market later this year. Pricing and final specifications for the D9 have not yet been officially announced for the British market.
For reference, in Hong Kong, the front-wheel-drive D9 is priced from HKD 770,500, (approx. GBP 73,567) while the all-wheel-drive version starts at HKD 925,850 (approx. GBP 88,398).
Trained as an automobile engineer, I’ve been following the global car market since 2005. Over the past 17 years, I’ve been involved in online automotive analysis and publishing, traveling the world to drive, evaluate, and experience new cars and technologies.
