In Brief
The Denza Z9GT, BYD’s flagship luxury sedan, astonishes with its technological arsenal and top-tier performance. It stands out particularly for its unprecedented charging capability and its refined interior comfort. While its acceleration is blistering and its equipment abundant, the chassis shows limits next to a rival as sharp as the Porsche Taycan. Despite a few imperfections, the Z9GT sets new benchmarks in the luxury electric segment and positions Denza as a serious European contender.
Failing to brew coffee, it can chill beverages down to -6 °C or warm them up to 50 °C in a dedicated compartment beneath the front-center armrest. It can also pivot its rear end to park in a tighter space, it can crab-walk when needed, and it announces record charging times: the Denza Z9GT pushes technology to a level never seen before on the market.
Denza Z9GT 1,156 hp / 122.49 kWh: A New Badge Making Waves
Until now largely unknown to the general public, this new Denza badge is pulling out all the stops to make a name for itself in every conceivable way. The luxury arm of BYD leverages the powerhouse tech and financial backing of the Chinese giant, a global leader in electric vehicles, and also manufactures its own cells based on an LFP chemistry. The promise of a electrons-till-full recharge only marginally longer than a traditional fuel fill aims to erase one of the main anxieties of quiet propulsion. The secret lies in an innovative Blade 2.0 battery of 122.49 kWh, capable of accepting a 1,000 kW charge, and a Flash Charging station developed in-house delivering a staggering 1,500 kW. The result? Five minutes to move from 10% to 70% and just 9 minutes to reach 97%. While waiting for its own Europe-wide network of 3,000 charging points within a year, the impressive charging curve shortens waiting times at conventional networks compared with the competition, enabling confident long trips aboard a Z9GT tuned for this purpose.
Denza Z9GT 1,156 hp / 122.49 kWh: Beneath the Shooting-Brake, a Vast Stature
The shooting-brake profile partly masks its enormous footprint: 5.18 meters long, 1.99 meters wide. The heavy doors, thankfully assisted by electric ingenuity, open you into a world that lives up to the initial expectations. Like much of Chinese production, the displays are plentiful and very large here, with a 17.3-inch central screen and two 13.2-inch units—one for the driver’s instrument cluster and the other for the passenger-side entertainment controls. If the ergonomics appear more inspired than those of some rivals, the sheer number of features often tempts you to take your eyes off the road, even with a highly responsive Google interface. The tech is paired with a presentation that, thankfully, is less ostentatious than some compatriots’ more accessible offerings. The wood and extended leather are visually striking, and the build quality is absolutely impeccable. For a vehicle bearing an unknown badge and priced around €115,000, that level of finish is expected. True to Chinese culture, the Z9GT prioritizes passengers over cargo. The fully electric seats with adjustable seat length provide a Business-class amount of space.
Denza Z9GT 1,156 hp / 122.49 kWh: Comfortable at Low Speed That Charms
But at this size, that’s a fortunate attribute. The generous dimensions make the Z9GT a tad cumbersome in city environments, and the optional camera-based rearward vision requires some acclimatization. Dual-chamber air suspension, a dedicated platform, the battery integrated directly into the chassis, rear-wheel steering, and the e3 three-motor architecture (two at the rear and one in front) combine to total 1,156 hp and a curb weight around 2,930 kg. Yet the low-speed comfort is compelling. The small urban jolts are well damped, and speed bumps are smoothed to protect occupants. The technology aids parking maneuverability, though the rear-wheel-swap function to perform a precise parallel parking can be demanding on the tires and feels more like a gadget than a necessity. The electric propulsion’s smoothness is enjoyable, though calibrating the braking requires practice: the pedal must be pressed decisively to stop cleanly. The plush ride from the air suspension persists on the road, even with slight vertical movements at the rear.
Denza Z9GT 1,156 hp / 122.49 kWh: 0 to 60 mph in 2.7 Seconds
For the driver, the rear-wheel steering helps limit the range of arm motions in tight corners, delivering a pleasantly tuned steering feel, albeit not particularly communicative. This ensemble can feel a bit unruly as speed increases. The front axle lacks bite at the entry, and the tail tends to wander on exit. This becomes more pronounced under strong acceleration, and the Z9GT ends up occupying more lane width in fast sections. Its direct rival, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo, appears notably sharper when the road turns. In a straight line, however, the Chinese missile remains on pace, provided you select the sportier driving modes. Accelerations and throttle responses are stunning, yet the shifting clacks, the pronounced squat during power release, and the pronounced dive under braking—despite carbon-ceramic discs—soon tempt you to rein in. It’s prudent to ease off to curb the high energy consumption, but not to overdo it with a semi-autonomous driving mode that isn’t always inspired.
Denza Z9GT 1,156 hp / 122.49 kWh: The Pros
- Charging speed
- Performance
- Equipment
Denza Z9GT 1,156 hp / 122.49 kWh: The Cons
- Chassis not fully dialed to harness the power
- Driver-assistance systems
- Ergonomics
Expert Verdict: 3.5/5
The Z9GT’s tech arsenal and charging times that edge just past a simple fill establish new benchmarks. It lacks a chassis setup tuned to its performance for full Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo-level driving pleasure. But BYD learns quickly.
Denza Z9GT 1,156 hp / 122.49 kWh: In Numbers
Find our first test of the Denza Z9GT 1,156 hp / 122.49 kWh in l’Auto-Journal issue #1208 dated 30/04/2026.
Comparison Table
| Model | Power | Battery | 10-70% Charge Time | 10-97% Charge Time | 0-60 mph | Length | Width | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denza Z9GT | 1,156 hp | 122.49 kWh | 5 min | 9 min | 2.7 s | 5.18 m | 1.99 m | 2,930 kg | €115,000 |
| Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
The Essentials to Remember
- Denza Z9GT delivers a staggering 1,156 hp with a 122.49 kWh battery.
- Its charging time (roughly 5-9 minutes to about 90%) is unprecedented thanks to Blade 2.0 and a dedicated Flash Charging station.
- Interior comfort, finishes, and equipment are on par with modern luxury sedans.
- Its chassis and driving aids show limits when pushed in dynamic driving.
- The Z9GT has a commanding footprint (5.18 meters long) and a curb weight around 3 tons.
- It targets the Porsche Taycan as a direct rival while setting new standards in certain tech areas.
FAQ
What are the performances of the Denza Z9GT?
The Denza Z9GT reaches 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds thanks to a total output of 1,156 hp and a three-motor drivetrain.
What is the battery charging time?
With the Blade 2.0 122.49 kWh pack, 10-70% takes 5 minutes and 10-97% takes 9 minutes on a compatible charger.
What interior features distinguish the Z9GT?
It offers large digital displays, all-electric seats, premium wood and leather, and features like beverage cooling or warming.
What are the main weaknesses of the Denza Z9GT?
The chassis could be better tuned to exploit full power and some driver-assistance systems show room for ergonomic refinement.
Is the ride comfortable on the Denza Z9GT?
Yes—thanks to air suspension and carefully designed seats, comfort at low speeds and effective filtration of road imperfections meet luxury-sedan standards.
