Hold onto your seats, folks—BYD has officially previewed its high-end Denza brand to Malaysia, and the much-anticipated Denza D9 MPV has finally made its grand entrance! We first heard about its arrival last September, and while the brand initially planned a first-quarter launch, Denza decided to surprise us by rolling it out even earlier. And guess what? Bookings have already been open since last month!
Now, let’s talk about what makes the Denza D9 a serious contender in the luxury MPV scene. It’s stepping into the ring with heavyweights like the Toyota Alphard, Vellfire, Zeekr 009, and the upcoming Xpeng X9.
With dimensions measuring 5,250 mm in length, 1,950 mm in width, and 1,920 mm in height, this premium MPV is longer and taller than the Zeekr but slightly slimmer. Translation? It’s big, bold, and built to impress.
A little backstory—Denza first introduced the D9 in 2022, and its right-hand drive version made its Hong Kong debut last June after rolling out from the Changsha plant. While China gets both plug-in hybrid and full-electric versions, Malaysia will only receive the all-electric variant, just like in Thailand and Singapore. Speaking of which, we’re getting two versions: the Advanced (FWD) and Premium (AWD).
Power and Performance: Electrifying Speed and Range
The Advanced (FWD) model, also known as the Premium in Thailand and Elite in Singapore, packs a front-mounted electric motor pushing out 313 PS (308 hp or 230 kW) and 360 Nm of torque. Weighing in at 2,764 kg, it sprints from 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and boasts a range of up to 520 km (WLTP) or 600 km under the NEDC standard.
Want more power? The Premium AWD version (a.k.a. Performance in Thailand, Grandeur in Singapore) comes with an extra rear motor, boosting total output to 374 PS (369 hp or 275 kW) and 470 Nm of torque. With this setup, it shaves its 0-100 km/h time down to a zippy 6.9 seconds! However, with great power comes a slightly shorter range—480 km (WLTP) or 580 km (NEDC).
Both versions rock the same massive 103 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, capable of handling DC fast charging up to 166 kW and AC charging at 11 kW. Need a quick boost? Fast charging takes the battery from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes, while a 10-minute charge adds 150 km of range. Now that’s some serious juice!
Luxury and Tech: First-Class Comfort on Wheels
Inside, the D9 is all about space, style, and silence. It comfortably fits seven adults (each up to 180 cm tall) while still having room for luggage—up to seven 20-inch suitcases and seven business backpacks! Plus, the cabin’s noise levels are impressively low at just 64.6 dBA when cruising at 120 km/h.
The feature list is chef’s kiss perfect. Expect automatic LED headlights, LED tail lights, sleek 18-inch alloy wheels, powered front and sliding doors, keyless entry, remote start, a panoramic sunroof, and three-zone climate control.
Tech-wise, there’s a massive 15.6-inch central touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, a thumping 14-speaker Dynaudio system, three 50-watt wireless charging pads, and six USB ports (one Type A, five Type C).
Oh, and did we mention the built-in 6.8-litre fridge? Yes, you read that right. It sits between the front seats and offers temperature control from -6 to 50°C—perfect for keeping drinks chilled or snacks warm.
Seating is next-level luxurious, too. The front seats are eight-way power-adjustable and ventilated, while the second-row captain’s chairs come with 10-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, and drumroll 10-point massage functions! The third row? Manually adjustable four ways for extra flexibility.
The Premium AWD model steps things up a notch with even fancier features, including front seat massage, driver’s seat memory, Nappa leather, real wood trim, suede headlining, and a slick head-up display.
Safety and Assistance: Loaded with Smart Features
Safety? The D9 has you covered. It’s packed with eight airbags and a full suite of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) features, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, front and rear cross-traffic alerts with auto braking, rear collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
Price and Launch: What’s the Damage?
So, how much will this luxury MPV set you back? While Malaysian pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, we can take a hint from its recent Indonesian launch, where prices start at Rp. 950 million (roughly RM259,000). This means we can expect it to stay under RM300,000 here.
Now all that’s left is the official launch—so stay tuned for the big reveal! The Denza D9 is here to shake up the premium MPV scene, and we can’t wait to see it on Malaysian roads soon!
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