DENZA B5 Crowned ‘Best Prospect’ In The New Car World Championships
- Best Cars of the Year / New Car World Championships award adds momentum to the UK launch of DENZA, the premium brand of the BYD group, in 2026
- DENZA B5 SUV named ‘Best Prospect’ following its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and crowd-pleasing appearance at the British Motor Show
- Authentic off-road capabilities founded on DENZA’s DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) platform
29 October 2025 DENZA, the premium technology-oriented automotive brand of the BYD Group, is enjoying a perfect prelude to its UK market introduction in early 2026 with its powerful B5 SUV today named Best Prospect in the New Car World Championships staged annually by the Best Cars of the Year (Best COTY) organisation.
The B5 made its world debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed where it took to the Hillclimb course to demonstrate its poise and muscle. Constructed on DENZA’s DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) platform, it uses a Super Hybrid Technology powertrain that features a 1.5-litre petrol engine together with front and rear electric motors.
The B5 is not simply about pure power; it is engineered for authentic off-road performance. Its cell-to-chassis construction provides protection for the high-voltage battery when driving over rough ground, while a one-touch automatic levelling system adapts its performance to suit different off-road terrain. Its capabilities include being able to climb gradients of up to 40 degrees.
Following its festival appearance, the B5 was exhibited at the British Motor Show in August where its popularity with official judges, industry insiders and the general public and industry insiders led to its consideration for the title of ‘Best Prospect’ for 2025/2026.
Mike Rutherford, Best Cars of the Year / New Car World Championships founder and judging panel chair, said: "We were fortunate enough to exclusively exhibit the B5 on our stand at the British Show last Summer. Over several busy days we witnessed first-hand how astonishingly popular the B5 was with clued-up enthusiasts who paid to attend the event. They, like me, were left in no doubt that this is a genuine premium model from an exciting new Chinese brand that seems more than capable of delivering the goods to the showrooms of the world.
"Assuming BYD / Denza get the pricing policy right with the hugely powerful, superbly equipped, ruggedly handsome B5 that features serious on-road and off-road capabilities, the vehicle could be a game changer. If the traditional, long-established, sometimes complacent manufacturers of premium or luxury 4x4s aren't quaking in their boots at the thought of it soon going up against their increasingly expensive products, they should be."
Bono Ge, BYD UK Country Manager, said: “This award reflects the opinion of some of the motoring world’s most distinguished figures and it is much valued in helping the B5 and our brand make a powerful and positive impact as we build towards our market launch.”
As well as the award-winning B5 SUV, DENZA’s UK upcoming model range will reach other significant market segments with the Z9GT large premium estate car, featuring Super DM plug-in hybrid technology, and the D9 seven-seat premium people carrier, to be offered with both battery electric and plug-in hybrid powertrain options.
####
About DENZA
DENZA is the premium design- and technology-led mobility brand from BYD Group. It successfully mixes European-influenced sophisticated design with state-of-the-art platforms and technologies, delivering many unique features to the premium car market. The brand was founded in 2010 as a partnership between BYD and Daimler, and launched its first vehicle in 2014. It is being introduced to the European market during 2026.
About BYD Auto
Founded in 2003, BYD Auto is the automotive subsidiary of BYD, a multinational high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life. Aiming to accelerate the green transition of the global transportation sector, BYD Auto focuses on developing pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company has mastered the core technologies of the entire industrial chain of new energy vehicles, such as batteries, electric motors, electronic controllers, and automotive-grade semiconductors. It has witnessed in recent years significant technological advancements, including the Blade Battery, the DM-i and DM-p hybrid technology, the e-Platform 3.0, the CTB and iTAC technologies, the DiSus Intelligent Body Control System, the XUANJI Architecture, and the Super e-Platform. The company is the world’s first carmaker to stop the production of fossil-fuelled vehicles on EV shift and has remained top of new energy passenger vehicle sales in China for 12 years in a row.
About BYD Europe
BYD Europe is headquartered in Hungary and was the first overseas branch of BYD Group, with a commitment to evolving the international brand BYD Auto to deliver safe and efficient sustainable solutions in new-energy vehicles through world-leading technological innovations.
Contacts:
Mike Gale
Head of PR, BYD and DENZA UK
M +44 7908 905678
E michael.gale@byd.com
Rachel Goodwin
PR Manager, BYD and DENZA UK
M +44 7399 678373
E rachel.goodwin@byd.com
Alex Ingram
Press Officer, BYD and DENZA UK
M +44 7539 534571
E alex.ingram@byd.com
