We reported last month that the Denza D9 was set to gain a 2026 model year update in China, some four years after it debuted in the Middle Kingdom (and a year after it was launched in Malaysia). Well, the refresh is finally upon us and surprise, surprise – it’s much more comprehensive than we thought. Not that you’d be able to tell from the outside, where the luxury MPV looks practically identical to before. Both the electric and plug-in hybrid versions now get the same grille treatment with rows of flag-shaped inserts – previously, the EV had full-height vertical strips. There are also a new range of polished and two-tone multi-spoke wheel designs, all still measuring a modest 18 inches in diameter. Where the D9 has taken a true step up is on the inside, where you’ll find an all-new, much more upscale interior. A redesigned two-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel sits ahead of a cleaner horizontal dashboard design that still houses a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 15.6-inch “floating” infotainment touchscreen. The passenger touchscreen, only available in China, has also been upgraded; initially presented in a widescreen configuration, users can flip down the dash panel to reveal the full 15.6-inch display. Elsewhere, there are now twin vertical air vents at the corners of the dashboard and sleeker rectangular centre vents. Meanwhile, the flying buttress centre console now houses twin Qi wireless chargers (just the one previously) and what appear to be physical air-con controls (hooray!). To free up space for all these items, the crystal gear selector has been ditched in favour of a column-mounted shifter that’s all the rage in China these days. The second-row still gets towkay-spec “Air Spa” captain’s chairs with built-in ottomans, control touchscreens and a one-touch “zero gravity” reclining function. However, there’s now a 17.3-inch ceiling-mounted monitor, finally addressing a major omission on the outgoing model. The previous headrest-mounted screens – again a China exclusive – have also been upgraded to 13-inch magnetic units. Perhaps the biggest change is to the mechanicals. Details remain light, but Autohome reports that the electric D9 will feature uprated motors – even the front-wheel-drive version makes a stout 462 PS (340 kW), up from 313 PS (230 kW) before. The all-wheel-drive variant adds a 95 PS (70 kW) rear motor for a total output of 557 PS (410 kW), an increase of 244 PS (135 kW). The D9 also gains BYD’s second-generation Blade LFP battery, with a minor capacity bump from 103 kWh to 115 kWh. This results in a boost in range to 800 km on China’s lenient CLTC cycle for the FWD version and 750 km with AWD. Expect WLTP figures closer to 680 km and 640 km respectively, which would still be a big improvement over the current figures of 520 km and 480 km respectively. Even more significant is the sharp increase in DC fast charging power, with the new battery enabling BYD’s Flash Charging technology at a stonking 1,500 kW. That’s a world away from the previous maximum of 200 kW (our D9 can only do 166 kW), and that means it can charge from 10 to 70% (ready to drive, in BYD’s terms) in just five minutes, and from 10 to 97% (full charge) in nine minutes. The PHEV variant continues to utilise a 156 PS 1.5 litre turbo four-cylinder mated to a 272 PS (200 kW) front motor and a 61 PS (45 kW) rear motor. The Blade LFP battery has been enlarged from 40 kWh to 66.5 kWh, doubling the CLTC-rated pure electric range to 401 km (which should equate to a WLTP figure of around 330 km). It too supports Flash Charging, although likely nowhere near as powerful. The D9 continues to feature DiSus-C adaptive dampers and comes with BYD’s God’s Eye B (DiPilot 300) suite of driver assists, the latter enabling highly-automated city and highway driving and automated lane changes. Prices in China range from 389,800 yuan (RM227,700) to 489,800 yuan (RM286,200) for both EV and PHEV versions. Compare prices between different insurer providers to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services. Many payment method supported and you can pay with instalment using Atome, Grab PayLater or Shopee SPayLater. Use the promo code 'PAULTAN' when you checkout for 10% discount!