The New Challenger: How the 2026 Denza B5 is Set to Rattle Australia's Beloved Prado

For decades, the Australian large SUV landscape has been dominated by a handful of trusted names. The Toyota Prado has long been the undisputed king of the family-friendly 4x4, a reliable and capable workhorse cherished by Aussie families and adventurers alike. But in 2026, the throne is about to get a serious shake-up.

Get ready for the Denza B5.

BYD's premium sub-brand, Denza, is arriving in Australia with its Prado-sized, plug-in hybrid 4x4 SUV designed to challenge everything we think we know about the segment.

Fishing Where the Fish Are

Denza's newly-appointed boss for Australia and New Zealand, Mark Harland, put it bluntly: “It’s real simple: Volume - the large segment in particular - this is what Australians buy.”

Instead of testing the waters with a city-friendly SUV, Denza is going straight for the heart of the Australian market. The B5, and its three-row sibling the B8, are aimed squarely at the established giants – the Toyota Prado and LandCruiser.

“My job is to put the cars out there, get people into them, and getting those customers who have been driving those cars for years and years in to test drive our car,” says Harland. The strategy is clear: win over the loyalists by offering a compelling alternative.

Designed for Outback Australia: The B5's Off-Road Mastery

The Denza B5 shares its robust ladder-frame chassis with the BYD Shark ute, but it’s not a simple rebadge. Denza has listened to feedback and engineered significant upgrades to ensure it can truly compete off-road.

• Serious Power: A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine works with dual electric motors to produce a staggering 425kW and 760Nm – that's supercar-level power in a rugged 4x4. The claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds is unlike anything else in its class.

• Standard Locking Diffs: A key upgrade over the Shark ute, the B5 comes standard with front and rear electronic locking differentials, addressing a crucial need for serious off-road traction.

• Proven Capability: Early drives at Victoria's Lang Lang proving ground have shown the B5 Leopard (the top-spec variant) to be a confident performer on bitumen, gravel, and technical off-road sections. With approach, breakover, and departure angles of up to 39, 27, and 35 degrees respectively, it's built to conquer tough terrain.

• Tuned for Australia: Recognising our unique demands, Denza has already uprated the B5's braked towing capacity to 3,000kg (with a standard tow bar) and increased the payload, making it a genuine contender for work and play.

The PHEV Game-Changer: Power, Silence, and Savings

This is where the Denza B5 fundamentally changes the game. While its rivals run on diesel, the B5 is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). This isn't just about being "green" – it's about a superior driving experience and real-world cost savings.

• Up to 90km of Electric-Only Range: For most daily commutes and school runs, you could run the B5 purely on EV mode for the whole day. Then, conveniently recharge its 31.8kWh battery under five hours at home or work using an iEV wall charger.

• Massive Combined Range: When a longer journey calls for it, the combined hybrid range is an estimated 1,000km – no range anxiety here.

• Urban Savings: Imagine the fuel savings of running a large SUV as an EV during the week, while still having the capability for a long weekend getaway or a tough off-road track.

Taking on the Prado: Price and Premium Appeal

Denza is targeting a starting price of around $75,000 - $80,000 for the B5. This positions it competitively against the Toyota Prado and other established rivals, but with a significant equipment advantage.

The B5 will be offered in two variants:

• Base B5: Featuring steel coil suspension and a robust, well-equipped spec.

• B5 Leopard: The flagship model with advanced variable-height hydraulic suspension (Disus-P), a premium Devialet sound system, Nappa leather, and the full suite of off-road technology.

This means you get a level of luxury, tech, and blistering performance that simply isn't available in a Prado at this price point.

The message from Denza to Australian consumers is clear: "You're ready for a change." And with the B5 arriving by the end of 2025 for early 2026 deliveries, that change is just around the corner.

At i-ev.com.au, we’re committed to keeping you updated on the latest EV innovations. Stay tuned for more exciting news to make our lives easier, greener and better!