Denza N8L EV: luxury SUV with 370 kW power and a range of 960 kilometers

The Denza N8L EV is a new electric SUV with six seats and a CLTC range of 960 kilometers. However, the N8L EV (“EV” being part of its name) is not entirely new—it is actually an electric version of the Denza N8L DM PHEV, which was launched at the end of 2025.

The design of the Denza N8L EV is almost identical to that of the N8L DM. The front is dominated by four wide, stacked LED strips for daytime running lights. The actual headlamps are located on the sides of the closed grille. Below the license plate, there is a section with active cooling vents; these vents open when the drivetrain requires more cooling.

The Denza N8L EV comes standard with a stylish two-tone paint finish and 20-inch light alloy wheels with 10 spokes. The lidar is barely noticeable because it is positioned low above the window, which results in the front windshield having a slightly smaller overall area. Many Chinese brands use such tactics to make the lidar less prominent.

A large rear spoiler and a distinctive lighting scheme are featured, with wide bright red light strips that extend almost to the center.

The Interior of the Denza N8L EV

The cabin of the Denza N8L EV combines luxury with technology. It features Nappa leather seats along with finishes made of wood, aluminum, and metal. The two-spoke steering wheel has a thick rim and a flat bottom, along with numerous buttons typical of a Chinese car.

The dashboard features an AR-HUD, 13.2-inch instrument cluster, a 17.3-inch 2.5K touchscreen, and another 13.2-inch screen for the passenger. The infotainment system is powered by Denza’s DiLink 150 smart cockpit system. The center console includes a row of physical shortcut buttons, two 50 W wireless chargers, and two heated and cooled cup holders.

The captain seats in the second row are ventilated, cooled, and equipped with a massage function. There are also leg rests, fold-down tables, and a 17.3-inch 2.5K fold-out screen for entertainment. The Devialet audio system has 20 speakers and a power output of 1600 watts, which is relatively modest for a new Chinese SUV in this segment. The speakers are nicely finished with metal covers.

DiDi Xia the Super AI Agent

DiDi Xia (迪迪虾, literally: DiDi Shrimp) is Denza’s new “Super AI Agent.” DiDi Xia combines the features of an AI chatbot and an AI assistant and can, among other things:

Have normal, continuous conversations, including in dialects, and remember preferences from previous conversations.

Control more than 2,000 car functions, such as the air conditioning, windows, sunroofs, seats, massage, scent, and entertainment systems.

Multi-step task execution — BYD uses this task as an example: one request to drive to the airport, find the nearest parking lot near the terminal, plan a charging stop along the way, and then navigate to a hotel.

Proactive response: for instance, if a child falls asleep in the back seat, it can activate silent mode or warn you if you leave your phone on the passenger seat.

The larger, koala-like figure with the Denza logo incorporated into its fur on the head is Xiaoshi (小势), Denza’s regular digital assistant. The name Xiaoshi literally means “Little Shi.” Shi (势) is the second character in Denza’s Chinese brand name: Tengshi (腾势).

Denza is competing in the Chinese automotive industry’s trunk capacity race: 49 cubic feet! However, the trunk is on the smaller side at 364 liters, including a 51-liter underfloor storage area. With the third row folded down, it increases to 1128 liters, but that’s about it, as the second row of seats cannot be folded at all. There’s an additional 208 liters in the frunk space, which is enough for a full set of hot pot ingredients. The hot pot is powered by the 6 kW V2L connector.

The specifications of the Denza N8L EV

The Denza N8L is built on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 Evo with an 800 V architecture. Its dimensions are 5200/1999/1820, with a curb weight of 2900 kilograms. The N8L EV is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. The electric motor delivers 370 kW and 500 Nm of torque, and Denza claims a top speed of 240 kilometers per hour and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds. A more powerful AWD version is in development and will hit the market in 2027.

Denza keeps things simple by offering just one battery: a 130.15 kWh BYD Gen 2 Blade LFP battery. With an energy consumption of 15.3 kWh per 100 kilometers, this heavy SUV achieves a very impressive range of 960 kilometers.

The Denza N8L EV is equipped with BYD’s renowned Flash Charging technology. The maximum charging speed is 728 kW, allowing the N8L EV to go from 10% to 97% charge in just 9 minutes. However, this can only be achieved using a BYD Flash Charger. BYD is rapidly expanding its charging network, which currently has 10,000 Flash Charging stations in 332 Chinese cities.

The N8L features a fully aluminum chassis with double wishbones at the front and a five-link suspension at the rear. The DiSus-A system combines dual-chamber air springs with electronically regulated CDC shock absorbers. Additionally, the N8L comes with rear-wheel steering, enabling the rear wheels to turn up to 10 degrees.

ADAS

The Denza N8L EV is equipped with BYD DiPilot 300 ADAS, featuring 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, 3 millimeter-wave radars, and 1 lidar. Its computing power comes from an Nvidia Drive Orin X chip with 254 TOPS, which is still modest compared to competitors that already reach 400-500 TOPS. As a result, the N8L EV lacks Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) and relies on a standard L2 driving assistance system.

Prices of the Denza N8L EV in China

Chinese SUV buyers can now order the N8L EV at Denza dealerships or experience stores. There are two trim levels, three interior color combinations, and five exterior colors: Frost Cloud Ink, Golden Ink, Mystic Black, Snow Jade White, and Winter Green.

The Denza N8L EV costs between 299,800 and 329,800 yuan, which is equivalent to 39,000 to 42,600 euros. This electric SUV competes with cars such as the Aito M7, Li Auto i8, Tesla Model Y L, and Xpeng GX.

It is still unknown whether the Denza N8L EV will come to Europe. Denza was supposed to launch in the European market by the end of the year, but there has been little news on these plans recently. Denza is already active in the UK, but the N8L is not yet part of their lineup there.