Denza Z9GT Review 2025
Denza Z9GT At A Glance
The established luxury and performance car market could be facing a shake-up. Prices will be high, but will likely undercut rivals. High levels of PHEV and EV performance.
Buyers at the more expensive end of the market tend to be more brand loyal and conservative. Many details still to be confirmed.
Most British car buyers hadn’t heard of BYD until a couple of years ago, yet so far in 2025 the Chinese brand’s notched-up more sales than the likes of Citroen, Fiat, Honda and SEAT. Now the firm has ambitions at the prestige end of the market, launching a new sub-brand with its own dealer network to cater for more discerning clientele. Its debut model in the UK is this high performance five-door coupe — the Denza Z9GT.
That’s right, Denza is the marque name with its own identity, so no BYD logos or Build Your Dreams script across the tailgate here. So far the Z9GT is one of two models confirmed for the UK — the other being the Denza D9 MPV, which will be pitched as an alternative to the Lexus LM — although that number’s expected to at least double in fairly short order with the arrival of a couple of SUVs.
So, what do we know about the Denza Z9GT? Firstly, isn’t it refreshing that — as tempting as it might have been — the cornerstone to the brand’s launch plans isn’t an SUV? Instead, the Z9GT’s a boundary-blurring luxury model that’s part-saloon, part-hatchback with the result being essentially a coupe, albeit with rear doors. In other words, it’s not unlike the Porsche Panamera.
That’s not entirely accidental, although while the Z9GT and Panamera have a similar overall silhouette when viewed from the side, the Denza’s styling doesn’t mimic the Porsche’s. Enormous head and tail lights dominate its extremities, while the body sides appear to have an unusual styling slash that appears from the front wheelarches and concludes in the rear bumper.
We’re also referencing the Porsche because its very much in Denza’s sights with the Z9GT as it attempts to replicate BYD’s success in the mainstream market but at a much higher price point.
Two drive options for the Denza Z9GT will be available, although it’s too soon to provide reliable and accurate figures for them in the guises they’ll reach the UK. What we can be sure about is that both the plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions will deliver very high levels of performance.
Such firepower will enable the PHEV-equipped Z9GT to take on not only the Panamera but also the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, which confusingly is a five-door like the Denza.
Meanwhile, the EV version will be going toe-to-toe with all manner of upmarket alternatives including the Audi e-tron GT and its close cousin, the Porsche Taycan, as well as a diverse array of others such as the Mercedes EQS and the new Volvo ES90. Denza’s not confirmed pricing yet but expect the Z9GT to undercut its rivals to a potentially tempting degree.
As a guide to the Z9GT’s performance, Chinese market versions of the Denza plug-in hybrid feature a 2.0-litre petrol engine up front with a pair of electric motors at the back with a combined output of 870PS. Its 38.5kWh battery serves-up an electric driving range of 125 miles according to Chinese testing protocols.
For the electric Denza Z9GT in China, a trio of motors — one up front, two out back — combine to produce an eye-widening 965PS of power, sufficient for a 3.4-second 0-62mph acceleration time — that’s 0.4 seconds faster than the PHEV. Driving range, again using the Chinese testing method, is quoted at 391 miles.
Models sold in the UK are expected to be a little down on power, while the WLTP Combined cycle figures are more likely to be around 100 miles for the Z9GT PHEV and sub-350 miles for the EV. Recharging times will also be confirmed at a later date but the Denza’s 800-volt architecture bodes well for shorter plugged-in periods when connected to the fastest ultra-rapid DC chargers.
Similarly, we’re still some way off knowing exact specification for UK market versions of the Denza Z9GT but it’s safe to expect them to be high with the quality of interior fit and finish being of a complementary standard. Screens appear to dominate its dashboard with five separate displays for models fitted with rearward facing cameras in lieu of door mirrors. That central multimedia touchscreen measures 17.3 inches, with the driver’s and front passenger’s displays being 13.2 inches each.
Some physical buttons and controls are present, with metallic-look and crystal-like finishes, although precisely what they operate remains unclear. We expect that the fine-tuning of the Z9GT’s various settings will be undertaken via the main touchscreen.
There’s space inside the Denza Z9GT for five occupants although it’s likely to be a more appropriately upmarket experience for four, with extra breadth across the rear bench to relax. No word yet on boot capacity but the large tailgate will bolster the practicality of what’s evidently a slinkily-shaped car.
Order books for the Denza Z9GT could be open before the end of 2025, although customer deliveries aren’t expected until the early months of 2026.
Keep this page bookmarked to read updated news on this intriguing new model as well as our comprehensive full Denza Z9GT review in the months ahead.
