Denza Z9 GT: An In-Depth Review
The Denza Z9 GT is a much-anticipated newcomer to the Chinese car market. It has made headlines several times due to its decent powertrain and dual refrigerators inside. Audi veteran Wolfgang Egger designed this NEV wagon. It has a sleek body with a sloping hood and a sloping roofline. Other features include elongated headlights, a single taillight, pop-up door handles, and optional cameras instead of side mirrors.
The exterior of the Denza Z9 GT's exterior has become a point of comparison with the Porsche Panamera. Moreover, the BYD wagon is on par with the Porsche hatchback in terms of dimensions. The Denza Z9 GT boasts impressive dimensions of 5,180/1,990/1,480 mm with a wheelbase of 3,125 mm. The PHEV variant is even longer (5,195 mm) due to more aggressive bumpers. To be clear, the Z9 GT is 128 mm longer, 53 mm wider and 57 mm higher than the Panamera. The Denza Z9 GT is available in four body colors: silver, white, gray and black.
Design and Dimensions
The Denza Z9 GT rides on R21 wheels with 255/40 tires at the front and 275/40 tires at the rear. This wagon is equipped with air suspension as standard. The rear axle of the Z9 GT can turn up to 20 degrees. As a result, the turning circle is only 4.62 meters. The Z9 GT also has frameless doors.
Interior Features
The interior of the Denza Z9 GT is well known for having two refrigerators intended for front and rear passengers. However, there are other interesting features. Since the Z9 GT has optional cameras instead of side mirrors, there are two additional screens on the door cards. The center console of this wagon has three more screens. One of them is intended for the front passenger. The rearview mirror also has an integrated monitor. The Denza Z9 GT’s center tunnel features plenty of carbon fiber, two 50-watt wireless charging pads for phones, a retractable gear selector, a set of physical buttons, and a pair of cup holders. The Z9 GT’s steering wheel has four spokes and a D shape.
Refrigerator Capacity
Speaking of the front refrigerator, it has a capacity of 4 liters. It can cool down to minus 6 degrees Celsius and heat up to 50 degrees Celsius. According to Denza officials, this refrigerator can hold six bottles of Coca-Cola. The second row of the Denza Z9 GT has plenty of legroom and an independent touchscreen for climate control. The second-row seats are heated, ventilated, and massage. They can be adjusted electrically. The refrigerator here has a capacity of 10 liters, good for four bottles of wine. There is a downside to this large refrigerator as it takes up space in the trunk. This also means that you cannot fold the second row seats. It also comes with a Devialet sound system.
Power and Performance
The Denza Z9 GT has both PHEV and BEV variants. Its plug-in hybrid version is built on the e3 platform with the 5th generation DM system. Under the hood, it has a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with an output of 152 kW (203 hp). It is paired with three electric motors: one in the front and two in the rear. The total output of the Z9 GT's electric motors is 640 kW (858 hp). The total output of the PHEV system has not yet been disclosed. But it is around 1,000 hp. The PHEV variant of this station wagon has a total range of up to 1,100 km.
The Denza Z9 GT EV is built on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo platform. It also has three electric motors with increased output. The peak power of this car reaches 710 kW (952 hp). Its range is 630 km (CLTC). The zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time is 3.4 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds faster than the Z9 GT PHEV. According to Denza, the Z9 GT passed the moose test at 93.6 km/h.
Pricing and Availability
The Denza Z9 GT is available for pre-order in five trim levels, priced from 339,800 yuan to 419,800 yuan (US$47,600–58,850). Denza Z9 GT PHEV Pro – 339,800 yuan ($47,600), Denza Z9 GT PHEV Max – 369,800 yuan ($51,850), Denza Z9 GT PHEV Ultra – 419,800 yuan ($58.50), Denza Z9 GT EV Pro – 359,800 yuan ($50,450), Denza Z9 GT EV Max – 389,800 yuan ($54,650).
Denza Z9 GT deliveries will begin in September this year. Its closest domestic competitor is the Zeekr 001 liftback. The Z9 GT will also come to Europe later to compete with legacy brands like the Porsche Panamera. The Z9 GT will also have a sedan variant, which was shown during pre-sales.
View photos
Watch the Video Overview
F.A.Q. about Denza Z9 GT:
What is the range of an electric vehicle on a single charge?
The Denza Z9 GT EV has a range of 630 km (391 miles) on a single charge.
How long does it take to fully charge an electric vehicle?
The Denza Z9 GT can typically be charged from 0 to 100% in about 8 hours using a standard home AC charger.
What is the price of a car?
The Denza Z9 GT is priced between $47,600 and $58,850, depending on the trim level.
What is battery capacity?
The battery capacity of the Denza Z9 GT is 79 kWh.
What is top speed?
The Denza Z9 GT can reach a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph).
What is total power?
The Denza Z9 GT has a total power output of 952 hp (710 kW) in the BEV variant.
Acceleration compared to other EVs?
The Denza Z9 GT accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds, placing it among the quickest in its class.
Comparison of Denza Z9 GT:
Comparing the Denza Z9 GT to the Zeekr 001, the Porsche Panamera, and the BYD Tang EV reveals some nuanced differences in performance and features.
Range
The Denza Z9 GT EV offers a 630 km (391 miles) range, making it a solid option for those long jaunts without the stress of constant charging stops. By comparison, the Zeekr 001 strides ahead slightly with a 712 km (442 miles) range. The Porsche Panamera Hybrid trails close to Denza with 610 km (379 miles), whereas the BYD Tang EV settles comfortably at 505 km (314 miles). Essentially, the Denza Z9 GT plants itself firmly in the upper echelon of reasonable long-range EVs, dodging the need for frequent plug-ins.
Acceleration
If neck-snapping acceleration is your game, then the Denza Z9 GT doesn’t disappoint. It blazes from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in a brisk 3.4 seconds. While the Zeekr 001 is no slouch at 3.8 seconds, it doesn't quite keep pace. The Porsche Panamera Hybrid musters an even quicker 3.2 seconds—frighteningly fast for a luxury cruiser—while the BYD Tang EV takes a more pedestrian approach at about 4.4 seconds. Clearly, if you’re looking to catapult from traffic lights, the Denza Z9 GT sits near the front of the pack.
Power
When pure power is put under the microscope, the Denza Z9 GT flexes its muscles with a whopping peak power of 952 hp (710 kW). This trumps the Zeekr 001's respectable 544 hp (405 kW) and leaves the BYD Tang EV’s 517 hp (386 kW) looking like it’s in a different league. Even the Porsche Panamera Hybrid’s 671 hp (500 kW) can't match Denza’s Herculean output. If it's raw power you crave, the Denza delivers a thrumming experience like no other in its class.
Charging Time
Charging time can make or break the EV experience. The Denza Z9 GT EV, thankfully, charges from 0 to 100% in around 8 hours with a standard AC charger. The Zeekr 001 plays in similar territory, also requiring roughly 8 hours. Porsche’s plug-in hybrid, with a more modest battery, fits the bill similarly. The BYD Tang EV, on the other hand, demands a bit more patience, clocking in at around 9 hours for a full charge. Thus, Denza ensures you’re not always tethered to a power socket, freeing you up for the open road.
Price
The Denza Z9 GT packs all this into a package priced between $47,600 and $58,850. Stack it against the Zeekr 001 which hovers between $46,000 and $56,000, and you’re looking at neck-and-neck value. However, when thrust into the ring with the Porsche Panamera’s $88,000 to $150,000 price tag, Denza suddenly seems like a steal. Even the BYD Tang EV's $45,800 to $55,000 range places the Denza Z9 GT in an advantageous price-performance slot. High-end luxury meets high value in a truly compelling fashion.
The Denza Z9 GT solidly positions itself as a formidable competitor in the electric vehicle realm. Whether you're eyeing it for its power, range, or just the futuristic allure of dual refrigerators, it’s a worthy contender against its rivals, establishing itself as a go-to EV in the luxury station wagon class.
