{"id":2034744,"date":"2026-07-09T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2034744"},"modified":"2026-07-09T09:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T06:30:00","slug":"denza-bao-5-this-or-a-real-defender","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2034744","title":{"rendered":"Denza Bao 5: this or a real Defender?"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"articleItem\">\n<p>    {&#8220;@context&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/schema.org&#8221;,&#8221;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Article&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/090-denza-bao-5-front-gold-studio.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;mainEntityOfPage&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;WebPage&#8221;,&#8221;@id&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/denza\/2026-bao-5\/&#8221;},&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/denza\/2026-bao-5\/&#8221;,&#8221;author&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Person&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;CJ Hubbard&#8221;,&#8221;description&#8221;:&#8221;CJ is a former Associate Editor of CAR, and now runs parent company Bauer Mediau2019s Digital Automotive Hub u2013 the in-house team that provides much of the online content for CAR and sister site Parkers.co.uk as well as helping out with CAR magazine. Heu2019s been writing about cars professionally (if thatu2019s the right word) for nearly two decades, though attempts to hide this fact with an extensive moisturising routine. Rumour has it his first word was u2018caru2019 as well, mind, so his fascination with the topic goes back more than double that length of timeu2026nHis former life at specialist automotive editorial agency Motoring Research means heu2019s also written for the likes of PistonHeads, the Sunday Times, City AM, Auto Express and the Microsoft MSN network, and has appeared in print and on video all over the world. Heu2019s also previously taken a diversion into the world of light commercial vehicles, which means he knows an unhealthy amount about vans and pick-ups, too.nA career starting in 2006 has seen him cover events and create features from all over the globe, including locations as diverse as the Australian Outback, the Arctic Circle, the Omani desert, North and South America, India, China, Thailand and Cuba. An enthusiast and a technologist, he approaches the current quickening evolution of all things automotive with an analytical interest that aims to put the driver first, and feels incredible lucky to be experiencing so many of these changes first hand.nOver this time heu2019s driven everything from city cars to articulated trucks, and almost every type of power-source imaginable. Thereu2019s no steam car in the archive, but as well as petrol, diesel and electric, CJu2019s tried LPG, CNG and several varieties of hydrogen, including rotary and V12 as well fuel cell. Heu2019s daily driven a Lamborghini (tough gig; apparently even tougher to stop mentioning it, several years later), crossed Europe in a van, crashed on track, travelled on and off-road in all kinds of conditions, been kinetically recovered, run out of fuel, and even found himself reported as stolen. In Sweden.nCJu2019s personal four-wheeled back catalogue includes E30 and E34 BMWs, Fords fast and slow, multiple MX-5s, a Saab 900, a Nissan Sunny andu2026 a Vauxhall Cavalier. Having not learnt his lesson spending far too much money ITB-modifying an early Eunos Roadster, heu2019s now burning all his spare cash trying to keep a notoriously unfickle 996 alive. A car he bought largely by accident due to its entirely Nephrite Green interior. As such, heu2019s the very embodiment of why you should do your research before buying a car, rather than afterwards, a perspective that usefully comes across more correctly in his writing than his bank account.nFor cat pictures, random musings, and to see just how green that cabin really is, you can find CJ on Instagram, Threads and possibly Bluesky. Heu2019s also on LinkedIn, but is yet to work our quite why. CJu2019s latest CAR articles are listed below.&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;ImageObject&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/14264\/cjhubbard.jpeg&#8221;,&#8221;caption&#8221;:&#8221;CJ Hubbard&#8221;},&#8221;sameAs&#8221;:[&#8220;https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/cj-hubbard-1a649888\/&#8221;,&#8221;https:\/\/x.com\/ir_427&#8243;,&#8221;https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ir_427\/&#8221;],&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/cj-hubbard\/&#8221;,&#8221;alumniOf&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;EducationalOrganization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;MA (Distinction) in Motoring Journalism from Coventry University (2005-2006), BA (First) in American Studies (History) from University of Kent (1998-2002)&#8221;},&#8221;email&#8221;:&#8221;cj.hubbard@bauermedia.co.uk&#8221;,&#8221;jobTitle&#8221;:&#8221;Head of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub&#8221;,&#8221;knowsAbout&#8221;:&#8221;automotive,road testing,car news,car advice,long-term tests,product testing&#8221;,&#8221;worksFor&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;CAR magazine&#8221;}},&#8221;dateModified&#8221;:&#8221;2026-07-09T10:33:48+01:00&#8243;,&#8221;datePublished&#8221;:&#8221;2026-07-09T10:30:00+01:00&#8243;,&#8221;headline&#8221;:&#8221;Denza Bao 5: this or a real Defender?&#8221;,&#8221;publisher&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Bauer Media&#8221;,&#8221;brand&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Car Magazine&#8221;},&#8221;logo&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;ImageObject&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/logos\/car.200&#215;88.png&#8221;}}}<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column xlarge-10 xlarge-push-2\">\n<header>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<h1 class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDenza Bao 5: this or a real Defender?<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<div class=\"hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"compact-author-info\">\n\tBy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/cj-hubbard\/\">CJ Hubbard<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"dates\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dates__date\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPublished: Today 10:30<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"preferred-source__inline\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source__line-break\"><\/div>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=carmagazine.co.uk\" class=\"google-preferred-source-link preferred-source__link preferred-source__link--left\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"preferred-source__border\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source__inner\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source__google-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/assets\/images\/icons\/google-logo-46x46.png\" alt=\"Follow Car on Google\" data-src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/assets\/images\/icons\/google-logo-46x46.png\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"preferred-source__google-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tFollow <strong>Car<\/strong> on Google\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"preferred-source__tooltip\">\n\t\t\t\tAdd Car as a preferred source on Google to see more of our latest content\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"cms-content\">\n<div class=\"in-page-gallery full-width thumbnails-images\">\n<ul class=\"carousel\" data-orbit=\"true\" data-options=\"bullets: false; resume_on_mouseout: false; timer: false; variable_height: true; slide_number: false\">\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/090-denza-bao-5-front-gold-studio.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 plug-in hybrid 4x4 on CAR magazine - front, gold, studio\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x270\/090-denza-bao-5-front-gold-studio.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x405\/090-denza-bao-5-front-gold-studio.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1056x594\/090-denza-bao-5-front-gold-studio.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Denza Bao 5 plug-in hybrid 4&#215;4 on CAR magazine &#8211; front, gold, studio<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - rear, gold, studio\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x270\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x405\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1056x594\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Denza Bao 5 &#8211; rear, gold, studio<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - dead-on front, gold, studio\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x270\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x405\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1056x594\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Denza Bao 5 &#8211; dead-on front, gold, studio<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - dead-on rear, gold, studio\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x270\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x405\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1056x594\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Denza Bao 5 &#8211; dead-on rear, gold, studio<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/094-denza-bao-5-front-crop-gold-studio.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - front crop focused on grille, gold, studio\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x270\/094-denza-bao-5-front-crop-gold-studio.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x405\/094-denza-bao-5-front-crop-gold-studio.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1056x594\/094-denza-bao-5-front-crop-gold-studio.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Denza Bao 5 &#8211; front crop focused on grille, gold, studio<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/095-denza-bao-5-rear-crop-gold-studio.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - rear crop focused on spare wheel, gold, studio\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x270\/095-denza-bao-5-rear-crop-gold-studio.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x405\/095-denza-bao-5-rear-crop-gold-studio.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1056x594\/095-denza-bao-5-rear-crop-gold-studio.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Denza Bao 5 &#8211; rear crop focused on spare wheel, gold, studio<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - interior, showing trio of screens\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x270\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x405\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1056x594\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg, (large)]\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption orbit-caption\">\n<div>Denza Bao 5 &#8211; interior, showing trio of screens<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"thumbnails clearfix\">\n<li>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"articleContent\">\n<div class=\"bold-links\">\n<p><strong>\u25ba\u00a0New rugged off-roader with 536bhp<br \/><strong>\u25ba\u00a0<\/strong>Twin-motor hybrid system, trick suspension<br \/><strong>\u25ba\u00a0<\/strong>Crammed with tech and standard kit<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>BYD\u2019s premium brand Denza is launching a new ladder-frame 4\u00d74 into the UK. The Bao 5 \u2013 variously known as the Denza B5 and Fangchengbao Bao 5 globally \u2013 is plug-in hybrid alternative to the likes of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/land-rover\/defender-4x4\/\">Land Rover Defender<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/toyota\/land-cruiser-j250\/\">Toyota Land Cruiser<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/mercedes-benz\/g-class-4x4\/\">Mercedes-Benz G-Class<\/a>. The looks are somewhat paint-by-rugged-numbers, but the tech beneath the surface is intriguing to say the least.<\/p>\n<p>A trio of diff locks and an \u2018off-road optimised\u2019 hybrid system that largely acts like a range-extender is just the start of it. From a cabin packed with screens to a blade battery \u2018incorporated\u2019 into the chassis \u2013 not to mention 140mm of height adjustment in the suspension \u2013 this is a fascinating new entry into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/best\/luxury-suv\/\">premium SUV<\/a> segment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two electric motors, one petrol engine, 536bhp<\/h2>\n<p>The heart of the BAO 5 is what\u2019s described as the world\u2019s first \u2018off-road dedicated hybrid architecture\u2019. Called the DMO \u2013 which stands for Dual Mode Off-road \u2013 Denza claims it\u2019s also the world\u2019s first longitudinal electric hybrid system, a reference to the 1.5-litre turbo petrol under the bonnet being longitudinally mounted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject show-for-medium-up hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This four-cylinder engine is good for a fairly limp 148bhp on its own. But mostly it acts as the electricity source for the battery pack and the twin electric motors. While the front motor is rated at 268bhp and the rear 383bhp individually, the combined total system output is 536bhp \u2013 still enough for a claimed 0-62mph in as little as 4.8sec. Top speed is 112mph.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x0\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - dead-on front, gold, studio\" class=\"wp-image-267824\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x0\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x0\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1040x0\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The 31.8kWh \u2018cell-to-chassis\u2019 blade battery pack is fully integrated into the Bao 5\u2019s underlying ladder-frame construction and promises 56 miles of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/tech\/what-is-wltp-worldwide-harmonised-light-vehicle-test-procedure-explained\/\">WLTP electric driving range<\/a> on its own. The official combined fuel economy is 68.9mpg \u2013 leading to a 30g\/km CO2 rating. With the battery flat the efficiency drops to 26.4mpg; nice of Denza to give us that figure.<\/p>\n<p>Maximum charging speed is 100kW DC \u2013 which means 30-80 per cent should be possible in as little as 16 minutes.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DiSus-P: continuously adjustable suspension<\/h2>\n<p>With an old-school ladder-frame foundation \u2013 as favoured by pick-up trucks and hardcore 4x4s \u2013 the Bao 5 promises a low centre of gravity and a strong core. Curiously, though, this is paired with all-round double-wishbone suspension, and top-spec models get \u2018an intelligent body control system\u2019 called DiSus-P.<\/p>\n<p>This uses a suite of 20 sensors to offer continuous damping adjustment to resist body roll. Two-stage stiffness is just the start of the tricks this can pull \u2013 it not only offers 140mm of ride-height adjustment (90mm up from the default starting point and 50mm down), it can reputedly withstand a 1.5m drop (ouch), and delivers independent hydraulic pressure at each wheel.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject show-for-medium-up hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x0\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - rear, gold, studio\" class=\"wp-image-267825\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x0\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x0\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1040x0\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>It also has one-touch self-levelling, intended for campsites. Maximum ground clearance is 310mm, with a 39-degree approach angle and a 34-degree departure angle. That\u2019s five degrees more than that available from the lower-spec model with conventional suspension.<\/p>\n<p>All versions get front and rear electronically locking differentials, plus what\u2019s described as an \u2018energy centre lock\u2019 that Denza claims is 30 times faster at distributing torque between axles than a conventional centre diff.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My, my, what a lot of screens you have\u2026<\/h2>\n<p>The interior of the Bao 5 is part Defender detailing, part PC World, as the extensive screen estate inside includes a 15.6-inch central touchscreen (with Google built-in, and bigger than any rival\u2019s), a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and another panel for use by the front passenger. A head-up display takes the information overload to the max.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x0\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg?scale=down\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - interior, showing trio of screens\" class=\"wp-image-267827\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x0\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x0\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1040x0\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject show-for-medium-up hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The voice control system operates four zones, which Denza says allows \u2018each occupant to interact personally with over 300 vehicle functions\u2019. There are five USB ports throughout the cabin, one or two wireless phone chargers (depending on the trim) and up to 18 speakers.<\/p>\n<p>As well as multi-adjustable electric front seats \u2013 with \u2018spa-grade\u2019 10-point massaging function \u2013 the cabin also includes a 4.5-litre heated or cooled storage area. Best of all, however, has got to be the electrically adjustable cup-holder with \u2018power lifting function\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>There are 11 airbags as standard, as well as all the usual driver assistance acronyms.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two trim levels, crammed with kit<\/h2>\n<p>The Bao 5 comes in Elegance or Ultimate specifications.<\/p>\n<p>Elegance runs on 18s, gets heated and ventilated front seats with massage function, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, 16-speaker audio, the full screen, and an illuminated charging port \u2013 among many other items. This is the version that does 0-62mph in 4.8sec.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x0\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down\" alt=\"Denza Bao 5 - dead-on rear, gold, studio\" class=\"wp-image-267823\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/480x0\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/720x0\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1040x0\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Ultimate (pictured) goes up to 20-inch alloys, gets the DiSus-P suspension, ventilated rear seats, 18-speaker audio, and enclosed cover for the spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. The extra weight of that extra kit slows the 0-62 down to 5.0sec here.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject show-for-medium-up hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Metallic paint is standard, in a choice of six colours. There\u2019s also a matte purple finish. As you do.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What price this crazy tech fest?<\/h2>\n<p>No official pricing yet, but word is the Bao 5 is heading for a recommended retail of around \u00a370k. Which is a lot of the folding stuff for a nouveau brand competing in a very image \/ heritage conscious area of the SUV market with a 1.5-litre four-pot. <\/p>\n<p>Electric motors regardless, it feels like a tough sell.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<aside class=\"about-author\">\n<h2 class=\"about-author-heading\">About the author<\/h2>\n<div class=\"about-author-inner\">\n<div class=\"main-author-summary-container\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"main-author-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/cj-hubbard\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/14264\/120x120\/cjhubbard.jpeg?quality=90)\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"main-author-name-container\">\n<div class=\"main-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/cj-hubbard\/\">CJ Hubbard<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"main-author-job-title\">Head of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"main-author-byline\">CJ is a former Associate Editor of CAR, and now runs parent company Bauer Media\u2019s Digital Automotive Hub \u2013 the in-house team that provides much of the online content for CAR and sister site Parkers.co.uk as well as helping out with CAR magazine. He\u2019s been writing about cars professionally (if that&#8217;s the right word) for nearly two decades, though attempts to hide this fact with an extensive moisturising routine.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"column show-for-xlarge-up xlarge-2 xlarge-pull-10\">\n<figure class=\"author-info clearfix\">\n<p>\t\t\t<a class=\"author-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/cj-hubbard\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/14264\/85x85\/cjhubbard.jpeg?quality=90)\"><\/a><figcaption>\n<p class=\"author-name\">\n\t\t\tBy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/cj-hubbard\/\">CJ Hubbard<\/a>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"author-quote\">Head of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub and former Associate Editor of CAR. Road tester, organiser, reporter and professional enthusiast, putting the driver first<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><div class=\"preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source__line-break\"><\/div>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=carmagazine.co.uk\" class=\"google-preferred-source-link preferred-source__link\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"preferred-source__border\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source__inner\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source__google-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/assets\/images\/icons\/google-logo-46x46.png\" alt=\"Follow Car on Google\" data-src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/assets\/images\/icons\/google-logo-46x46.png\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"preferred-source__google-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tFollow <strong>Car<\/strong> on Google\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"preferred-source__tooltip\">\n\t\t\t\tAdd Car as a preferred source on Google to see more of our latest content\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column xlarge-10 xlarge-push-2 disqus\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"commentsExpander\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/denza\/2026-bao-5\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon fi-comments\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"link-text disqus-comment-count\" data-disqus-identifier=\"article-wp-267815\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"commentsSection\">\n<div id=\"disqus_thread\"><\/div>\n<p>var disqus_shortname = &#8216;carmagazine&#8217;;<br \/>\nvar disqus_developer = 0;<br \/>\nvar disqus_identifier = &#8216;article-wp-267815&#8217;;<br \/>\n\t(function () {<br \/>\n\t\tvar dsq = document.createElement(&#8216;script&#8217;);<br \/>\n\t\tdsq.type = &#8216;text\/javascript&#8217;;<br \/>\n\t\tdsq.async = true;<br \/>\n\t\tdsq.src = &#8216;http:\/\/&#8217; + disqus_shortname + &#8216;.disqus.com\/embed.js&#8217;;<br \/>\n\t\t(document.getElementsByTagName(&#8216;head&#8217;)[0] || document.getElementsByTagName(&#8216;body&#8217;)[0]).appendChild(dsq);<\/p>\n<p>\t\tvar s = document.createElement(&#8216;script&#8217;);<br \/>\n\t\ts.type = &#8216;text\/javascript&#8217;;<br \/>\n\t\ts.async = true;<br \/>\n\t\ts.src = &#8216;http:\/\/&#8217; + disqus_shortname + &#8216;.disqus.com\/count.js&#8217;;<br \/>\n\t\t(document.getElementsByTagName(&#8216;head&#8217;)[0] || document.getElementsByTagName(&#8216;body&#8217;)[0]).appendChild(s);<br \/>\n\t})();Please enable JavaScript to view the <a href=\"http:\/\/disqus.com\/?ref_noscript\">comments powered by Disqus.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article-thumbnails-v3\"><\/div>\n<p>  console.debug(&#8216;taboola container loaded..&#8217;)<br \/>\n  window._taboola = window._taboola || [];<br \/>\n  _taboola.push({<br \/>\n    mode: &#8216;thumbs-feed-1&#215;1&#8217;,<br \/>\n    container: &#8216;taboola-below-article-thumbnails-v3&#8217;,<br \/>\n    placement: &#8216;Below Article Thumbnails V3&#8217;,<br \/>\n    target_type: &#8216;mix&#8217;<br \/>\n  });<\/p>\n<div data-id=\"content-rec-01\" class=\"content-rec-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<div data-id=\"content-rec-02\" class=\"content-rec-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<div data-id=\"content-rec-03\" class=\"content-rec-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"largeGallery\">\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__container\">\n<div class=\"slide-gallery\">\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__leaderboard-gallery-container\">\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__leaderboard-gallery-container__inner\">\n<div id=\"leaderboard-gallery\" class=\"leaderboard-gallery advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__adverts show-for-large-up\">\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__adverts__inner\" data-right-ad-frequency=\"3\" data-slide-ad-frequency=\"4\" data-slide-ad-duration=\"2\">\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__adverts__inner__mpu\">\n<div class=\"mpu-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"hide-for-large-up\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"mpu-gallery\" class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"google-ads-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__caption__container\">\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__caption\">\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__caption__text\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__slider__container\">\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__slider royalSlider rsDefault\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- can this be ul \/ li'd --><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1752x1168\/090-denza-bao-5-front-gold-studio.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Denza Bao 5 plug-in hybrid 4&#215;4 on CAR magazine &#8211; front, gold, studio<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/79x79\/090-denza-bao-5-front-gold-studio.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1752x1168\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Denza Bao 5 &#8211; rear, gold, studio<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/79x79\/091-denza-bao-5-rear-gold-studio.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1752x1168\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Denza Bao 5 &#8211; dead-on front, gold, studio<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/79x79\/092-denza-bao-5-dead-on-front-gold-studio.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1752x1168\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Denza Bao 5 &#8211; dead-on rear, gold, studio<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/79x79\/093-denza-bao-5-dead-on-rear-gold-studio.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1752x1168\/094-denza-bao-5-front-crop-gold-studio.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Denza Bao 5 &#8211; front crop focused on grille, gold, studio<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/79x79\/094-denza-bao-5-front-crop-gold-studio.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1752x1168\/095-denza-bao-5-rear-crop-gold-studio.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Denza Bao 5 &#8211; rear crop focused on spare wheel, gold, studio<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/79x79\/095-denza-bao-5-rear-crop-gold-studio.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rsImg\" href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/1752x1168\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg?mode=max&amp;quality=90&amp;scale=down\"><span class=\"inner\">Denza Bao 5 &#8211; interior, showing trio of screens<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rsTmb\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/79x79\/099-denza-bao-5-interior.jpg?quality=50\" alt style=\"border-width:0px\"><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-gallery__controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Toggle thumbnails\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon fi-list-thumbnails show-for-large-up\" data-elem=\"thumbsToggle\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Previous photo\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon fi-arrow-left\" data-elem=\"prev\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Next photo\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon fi-arrow-right\" data-elem=\"next\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Toggle caption\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon fi-info\" data-elem=\"captionToggle\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Zoom in\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon fi-zoom-in\" data-elem=\"zoomIn\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Zoom out\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon fi-zoom-out\" data-elem=\"zoomOut\"><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span title=\"Close gallery\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon fi-x hide-for-large-up\" data-elem=\"close\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<a title=\"Close gallery\" class=\"slide-gallery__controls__icon slide-gallery__controls__icon--top-close fi-x show-for-large-up\" data-elem=\"close\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>{&#8220;@context&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/schema.org&#8221;,&#8221;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Article&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/267815\/090-denza-bao-5-front-gold-studio.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;mainEntityOfPage&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;WebPage&#8221;,&#8221;@id&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/denza\/2026-bao-5\/&#8221;},&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/denza\/2026-bao-5\/&#8221;,&#8221;author&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Person&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;CJ Hubbard&#8221;,&#8221;description&#8221;:&#8221;CJ is a former Associate Editor of CAR, and now runs parent company Bauer Mediau2019s Digital Automotive Hub u2013 the in-house team that provides much of the online content for CAR and sister site Parkers.co.uk as well as helping out with CAR magazine. Heu2019s been writing about cars professionally (if thatu2019s the right word) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[239,226],"class_list":["post-2034744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-carmagazine-co-uk","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2034744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2034744"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2034744\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2034744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2034744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2034744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}