Denza has launched the Bao 5 in the UK, a rugged plug-in hybrid SUV that takes direct aim at the Land Rover Defender and Ineos Grenadier.
The Chinese brand, owned by BYD, is betting that its off-road credentials and technology can lure buyers away from established luxury off-roaders.
UK pricing opens at £69,500 ($93,200) for the Elegance trim and £78,880 ($105,800) for the Ultimate.
That puts it in the same price bracket as the Land Rover Defender 110 plug-in hybrid, which starts at £72,000 ($96,600).
Denza is not undercutting rivals; instead, it is asking Defender money for a badge that most UK buyers have never heard of.
Powertrain and Performance
Both trims share the same plug-in hybrid setup.
A 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine sits longitudinally, which Denza claims is a first for a plug-in hybrid.
The engine produces 148 hp and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm), but the real punch comes from two electric motors.
The front motor delivers 268 hp and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm), while the rear motor adds 383 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm).
Combined system output is 536 hp and 561 lb-ft (760 Nm).
The Elegance version hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds, while the Ultimate does it in 5.0 seconds.
A 31.8 kWh battery pack provides 56 miles (90 km) of all-electric range. With the combustion engine, total range extends to 537 miles (864 km).
Top speed is capped at 112 mph (180 km/h). DC fast charging supports up to 100 kW, replenishing 30 to 80 percent in 16 minutes.
AC charging at 11 kW takes the battery from 15 to 100 percent in just over three hours.
Off-Road Capability
The Bao 5 rides on a body-on-frame platform shared with the BYD Shark 6 and the larger Denza 8.
It comes with electronic locking differentials at the front and rear, plus a locking center diff.
Double-wishbone suspension is used at both ends, and the DiSus-P body-control system continuously adjusts damping, offering up to 5.5 inches (140 mm) of ride-height adjustment.
Denza says the central torque distribution reacts 30 times faster than a mechanical system.
With the suspension raised, ground clearance reaches 310 mm, nearly 20 mm more than a Land Rover Defender.
Approach and departure angles are 39 and 34 degrees, respectively.
Interior and Technology
The cabin features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, and an optional front passenger screen.
Ultimate trims add heated and ventilated front and rear seats, leather upholstery, and a cooled and heated center console storage box.
That 4.5-liter box can hold eight soda bottles, chill them to between -6°C and 15°C (21 to 59°F), or warm them to 35 to 50°C (95 to 122°F).
It has power-off memory, object detection, and can be triggered remotely via the Denza app.
The app also provides a digital key for locking, unlocking, and starting the vehicle, while an NFC key works without a phone signal or when the handset is nearly dead.
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said the company expects the Bao 5 to win over European buyers who want genuine off-road ability without sacrificing premium comfort or technology.
