Denza Bao 5 2026 Review: Is This 537bhp Chinese SUV a Land Rover Defender Rival?
Meta Description: Denza Bao 5 UK review – price, range, off-road, tech and comparison with the Land Rover Defender. Simple, no-nonsense overview of what this BYD-badged rival has to offer.
Quick Answer
The Denza Bao 5 is a boxy, macho-looking sports utility vehicle (SUV) from China’s premium car brand Denza. It is not a Land Rover, but it wants to be the next Land Cruiser and Fangchengbao – previously sold as the Bao 5 in China – has arrived in UK showrooms this year as a competitor to the Land Rover Defender. With a claimed 537bhp, 537-mile range and multiple screens, the Bao 5 goes on sale in the UK later this year, starting from £69,500.
Let’s discuss what the Bao 5 is, what it can offer, and whether this premium Chinese brand can seriously challenge the established off-road credentials of manufacturers like Land Rover.
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What the Denza Bao 5 Actually Is
Denza is the premium brand under Chinese car manufacturer BYD, which means it is the Chinese equivalent of Lexus. The Bao 5 had already been sold in China, where it previously wore the Fangchengbao brand badge, and is arriving in the UK this year as part of Denza’s expansion, alongside the luxury Z9 GT saloon and D9 MPV. It is a boxy, macho-looking off-roader that has clearly borrowed design elements from iconic off-road vehicles, including the ladder-frame chassis common to older 4x4s, boxy wheel arches, side steps and a spare wheel mounted to the rear door, which gives it an imposing look. However, the distinctive badge on the front is bound to surprise some buyers.
Power, Range and Performance Figures
The Bao 5 is not fully electric – rather, it is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 31.8kWh battery pack and two electric motors, good for 56 miles of electric-only range, with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which charges the battery but does not power the drivetrain. Together, the two power sources put out 537bhp and 561lb ft of torque, sending power to all four wheels and allowing the 2,980kg Bao 5 to accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 112mph. According to the manufacturer, the Bao 5 has a combined range of 537 miles on a full charge of the battery pack and a tank of petrol, while a 100kW fast charger allows for a 30-80 per cent charge in just 16 minutes.
That is undoubtedly fast for an off-roader of this size and shape, but the real-world fuel economy is bound to be disappointing to some buyers, with the 26.4mpg return during the first drive being considerably far from the official 68.9mpg combined figure.
Driving Impression
While having more than 500bhp, the Bao 5 is not quick in the ways most performance car buyers would expect. Firstly, while the 0-62mph time is nothing to be disappointed about, the 4.8-second mark is achieved in Sport mode, whereas the default drive mode puts the Bao 5 into a leisurely cruise, requiring the driver to downshift to get the most power on the road. Secondly, while the brakes are reassuringly sensitive and responsive, and the steering provides ample feedback, the Bao 5 ‘s weight becomes apparent the moment the driver applies the brakes – with the inertia of the Bao 5 meaning it takes longer to slow down.
On the plus side, the Bao 5 ‘s DiSus-P hydraulic suspension provided a good blend of comfort and control on most drives, although the first test drive was not extensive enough to provide a definitive verdict.
While the test car came with the most powerful 2,980kg variant of the Bao 5 , the petrol engine can be heard on acceleration, which is not ideal for an off-roader, especially when the engine is mounted at the front of the Bao 5 , meaning its torque is transferred to the front wheels. The Bao 5 also leans into corners like a front-drive vehicle due to the lack of weight at the front, which is expected from a car that weighs almost three tonnes but does not have a full-time four-wheel-drive system. Overall, the Bao 5 is a comfortable and powerful off-roader, but its drive dynamics suggest there are more premium vehicles on the market that better utilise their weight distribution and power delivery to provide a better driving experience.
Off-Road Capabilities
The Bao 5 ‘s off-road capabilities are certainly up to scratch. While the 310mm ground clearance may not seem like much, it is complimented by a generous 39-degree approach angle and a 44-degree departure angle, allowing the vehicle to negotiate obstacles and steep slopes without damaging the underbody. Compared to a similarly-priced Land Rover Defender 110, which had the option of an air suspension, the Bao 5 has a slightly lesser 37.6-degree approach angle and a steeper 42-degree departure angle compared to the Bao 5 ‘s 34-degree angle. However, the Bao 5 also has two locking differentials and active suspension that can lower the vehicle by 50mm and raise it by 90mm depending on the terrain. The Bao 5 can also utilise an “energy centre lock” function to apportion power to either of the axles, allowing it to tackle off-road conditions like sand, mud, and gravel in a similar vein to a mechanical limited-slip differential but 30 times faster.
The Bao 5 has 16 driving modes to choose from and can even perform a “leopard-style” U-turn, in which the front wheels turn in one direction to allow the vehicle to rotate, keeping the back wheels facing the same direction – an unusual party trick that has not been tested on uneven terrain yet and will no doubt be explored further closer to the official launch of the Bao 5 in the UK.
Inside the Cab: Tech Features
Step inside the Bao 5 and one will feel as if they are inside the cabin of a futuristic spaceship. Not only the 12.3-inch driver display and the 15.6-inch central infotainment screen, which runs on Google’s Android OS, but also the 12.3-inch screen for the front passenger, which can be used to view videos or even sing along to karaoke tracks, amaze the buyer with the number of screens on offer. The car also comes with a heads-up display as standard, while the buyer can also choose to have a digital rearview mirror option. Finally, an 18-speaker Devialet sound system and a panoramic sunroof complete the list of tech and luxury features found in the Bao 5 .
The central console also houses a cooler and warmer box that can accommodate eight standard-sized bottles of drinks, allowing the driver to have chilled beverages at -6 degrees Celsius and hot drinks at 50 degrees Celsius at the touch of a button.
However, what the Bao 5 does not have is a touchscreen for every function – some of the off-road driving displays and controls are physical, while grab handles found throughout the vehicle add to the convenience and comfort of the cabin. The only potential downside to the cabin is the boot space, which provides 475 litres of storage compared to the 786 litres of the Defender 110 and the 573 litres of the Land Cruiser . However, the rear doors open the “wrong” way in the UK, in the context of left-hand drive vehicles.
UK Price, Specifications and Trim Levels
The Bao 5 will be available in two trims in the UK. The Elegance trim starts from £69,500 and comes with a choice of leather seats, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic roof, 18-inch wheels and the full set of technology and safety features as mentioned above.
The Ultimate trim starts at £78,880 and comes with 21-inch wheels, electric side steps, the best-in-class hydraulic suspension, the digital rearview mirror and the seats trimmed in premium Nappa leather.
For context, a similar mild-hybrid petrol diesel option for the Land Rover Defender 110 starts at £64,315 while the equivalent plug-in hybrid starts at £71,840. Considering the expected premium of the Bao 5 , its starting price is right around the same ballpark as the most competitive rivals in the premium off-roader segment. It should be noted that some of the Bao 5 ‘s equipment levels are higher than those of the equivalent trims in the Land Rover and Toyota line-ups.
Final Thoughts
The Denza Bao 5 is a bold debutante that aims to challenge the long-standing dominance of the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser in the premium off-roader segment. It combines power with a list of convenience and luxury tech features, but also has a few rough edges in terms of comfort and real-world economy. Overall, it is an intriguing prospect that will have to contend with some of the most established automotive names in history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Denza Bao 5 fully electric?
The Bao 5 is a plug-in hybrid that delivers a blend of performance and economy. It uses a 31.8kWh battery pack and twin electric motors to achieve a range of 56 miles on electricity, while a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine charges the battery.
What is the UK price of the Denza Bao 5?
The Bao 5 starts at £69,500 for the Elegance trim and £78,880 for the Ultimate trim.
What is Denza’s relationship to BYD?
Denza is the premium marque of Chinese car manufacturer BYD.
How fast is the Denza Bao 5 ?
The 2,980kg Bao 5 can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds.
Is the Denza Bao 5 good off-road?
The Bao 5 has impressive off-road statistics, but its capabilities have yet to be truly tested.
When is the Denza Bao 5 arriving in the UK?
The first examples of the Bao 5 are expected to arrive in the UK later this year, with other Denza models such as the Z9 GT and D9 also launching in the UK in 2026.
How does it compare to the Land Rover Defender?
The Denza Bao 5 is priced similarly to the Land Rover, but some trims and equipment levels suggest that the Bao 5 has more to offer than its British rival.
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Based on the first-drive impressions, more extensive road and off-road tests are expected closer to the official launch of the Denza Bao 5 in the UK. This article is the original work of AutoCritics.uk.
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