Denza D9 Review in Malaysia – Not quite the electric “Alphard killer,” but the potential is there
It’s not every day we get a fully electric luxury MPV to drive long distance, but that’s exactly what we did with the Denza D9. For context, Denza is BYD’s premium sub-brand and the D9 is its first model to spearhead the brand in Malaysia. The media drive took us on a round trip to Desaru, Johor, giving us decent seat time in the top-spec Premium variant, priced from RM309,000, for this Denza D9 review.
The D9 is Denza’s pitch to take on the likes of the Toyota Alphard, but with full electric drive and a tech-laden spec sheet. On paper, it makes a strong case. But does it deliver on the road?
Denza D9 Design – Alphard rival or Alphard echo?
You can’t talk about the D9 without addressing the obvious: it looks inspired by the Alphard. Still, Denza adds its own cues with a large grille with vertical chrome fins and arrow-style tail lamps. It’s not a design that breaks new ground like the Zeekr 009 or Xpeng X9, but it carries its presence well.
Both the Advanced and Premium variants sold here share the same exterior features with dual sunroofs, LED headlamps, soft-close doors, powered tailgate, and 18-inch wheels. The key mechanical difference lies in the powertrain: the base Advanced gets a 313 PS front motor, while the Premium adds a rear motor for AWD and a combined 374 PS and 470 Nm. Both use the same 103-kWh Blade battery, with WLTP range rated at 520 km for the FWD and 480 km for the AWD.
Denza D9 Interior – Plush inside, but missing a cherry on top
Cabin appointments are generous, especially considering the price point. You get powered and ventilated front seats, captain chairs in the second row with massage and ventilation functions, a suede headliner (Premium only), Nappa leather upholstery, a huge central touchscreen, a digital rear-view mirror, and even a chiller box.
It’s all very premium at first glance, and while the D9 may not feel like a huge step up from BYD’s Seal and Sealion inside, that says more about the strong baseline those cars already set. Fit and finish is consistent, and most touchpoints feel well-resolved.
As for the seats themselves, there’s not a huge difference between what the D9 offers and what you’d get in an Alphard. Both deliver a plush experience with heating, ventilation, massage functions, and full reclining with extendable leg rests. The second-row captain chairs are styled to mimic a business-class lounge and mostly succeed at that.
Sound quality of the Dynaudio system is generally pleasing with a warm, bass-forward signature, and decent clarity up top. However, it doesn’t quite offer the multi-layered depth you’d expect from a premium-tier audio system. As for infotainment, the screen itself is responsive and sharp, but the overall user experience still needs refinement. Menu structures aren’t always intuitive, and some translation quirks remain.
A personal gripe, however, is the omission of entertainment for rear passengers. Given the D9’s brief as a long-distance family MPV or executive shuttle, a screen or two in the rear would be a nice feature, especially on long drives where passengers in the second and third row are meant to relax and be entertained.
Denza D9 Driving Experience – Calming, if not for the abrupt ADAS
Power delivery from the dual-motor setup is smooth and unhurried. Throttle response is on the more relaxed side. It requires more deliberate inputs to get going, which some may prefer, but it can feel dull when compared to the more immediate response of the brake pedal. This means there’s a contrast in response between the two pedals – the brakes feel firmer and more immediate, while the throttle lacks the same crispness.
Speaking of brakes, the calibration is an improvement from earlier BYD models, but it’s still not at benchmark level. It’s a tad jumpy in the initial travel but doesn’t get progressively stronger as you depress the pedal further. The blending could use more fine-tuning, but as it is, it’s serviceable.
Steering is light and vague, with very little connection to what the front wheels are doing. There’s a perceptible delay between your input and the car’s reaction, especially through high-speed curves, which makes it hard to judge exactly how much steering angle you need and you end up making a correction after the fact. Not a confidence-inspiring trait, though typical of large electric MPVs.
On the ADAS front, there’s definitely room to improve. I found the lane keeping assist to be a bit abrupt. Rather than a gentle nudge, it tugs at the wheel more than expected. A more subtle approach would go a long way in making the driver assistance systems feel more natural, especially for newer EV adopters.
Denza D9 Ride Comfort – Well-cushioned, but susceptible to motion
The Denza D9’s ride is where things get interesting. I wouldn’t call it choppy as it isn’t harsh nor twitchy, but the D9 exhibits noticeable vertical movement, especially in the second and third rows. Physics explains why: being closer to the rear axle naturally results in more exaggerated motion over undulations, and the D9’s 2.8-tonne mass doesn’t help. Over large undulations or dips, the car takes a beat to settle, and that constant motion over continuous compression events can be uncomfortable for rear passengers.
The front row feels far more composed. It gives the impression of a see-saw effect as the car pivots over large bumps, and the further you sit from the centre of mass, the more you feel it. Secondary ride remains good as it absorbs finer surface textures well, it’s the primary ride that’s the issue here.
The Premium variant tested uses BYD’s DiSus-C adaptive damping system, and switching to Sport mode firms up the dampers and results in noticeably better body control. It reduces the post-bump float and brings the chassis more under control. The trade-off is sharper response to smaller road imperfections, which you’ll feel more in the cabin. It’s a compromise, but one that’s worth exploring if ride comfort is inconsistent.
Tuning suspension for a three-row EV MPV is inherently difficult, even the best in the business struggle to get it right. The Kia EV9 or even the BMW iX exhibits this trait of bopping and heaving – when exposed to challenging situations – to an extent as well. Ultimately, the Denza D9 doesn’t ride terribly, but it’s not quite there yet.
What’s there is the noise insulation. There’s minimal tyre/road noise, wind noise, and even exterior noises are hushed, thanks to the double-laminated windows all-round. This is about as quite as an MPV can get, and yes, it’s undoubtedly quieter to travel in than the Alphard/Vellfire twins. Excellent work on that front.
The real issue here isn’t with the car itself
The return trip to KL from Desaru highlighted the charging unpredictability that all EV owners still face. It was planned to top up to 90% in Johor, but due to a power outage caused by nearby construction, it wasn’t possible to charge to the desired level and meant an additional pitstop along the way back was required. This wasn’t the fault of the event crew or Denza, but a clear example of the kind of curveballs EV users must be prepared for.
This is the reality of EV ownership in Malaysia today. Even with a good plan, you’ll need to prepare for the unplanned. A charger might be down, occupied, slower than expected, or in this case, affected by external factors. Any of these can throw your schedule off entirely, and that’s something buyers need to consider, especially for long-distance trips.
That said, the trip back was managed without additional drama.
Denza D9 Verdict – A good start, but can be even better
The Denza D9 ticks many of the right boxes. It’s well-packaged, looks sharp, generously equipped and has a quality feel that punches well above its price point.
We did share our feedback with Denza Malaysia, and it’s clear the team is keen on listening. We highlighted a few areas that could use refinement: the ADAS systems, for instance, could benefit from a gentler nudge. For passengers in the rear, a built-in entertainment screen or two would be a nice touch. And of course, the biggest challenge remains the suspension calibration. It’s not easy managing this much mass on our undulating roads, but with some additional tuning, the D9 could come much closer to delivering on its luxury MPV ambitions.
It’s not quite an Alphard killer yet, but it’s certainly a compelling alternative, especially when you factor in the value, warranty coverage, and tax-free pricing. The D9 shows promise, and with a few tweaks, Denza might be onto something very good.
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