While we Malaysians have only just received the Denza D9 here roughly a year ago, the fully electric luxury MPV is already getting its first update in China for 2026. According to a recent filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), first reported by Autohome, the luxury people carrier will be receiving a subtle facelift as part of the update, while changes under the skin are more significant.
In China, the Denza D9 is offered both as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and an electric vehicle (EV), the latter being the only version in Malaysia. The two used to differ in grille designs — the PHEV had a more conventional look, while the EV had a closed-off grille with thin vertical slats. Now, both models share a new grille with L-shaped chrome fins, strongly resembling the Toyota Alphard.
The filling also shows an alternative grille design with vertical chrome fins, which may be reserved for a higher-end D9 variant, along with subtle design revisions for the 18-inch wheels. Aside from that, the rest of the MPV remains largely unchanged from the version we’ve become familiar with over the past year.
Little has been disclosed for its interior. That said, the new 2026 Denza D9 is expected to retain much of the current model’s equipment, possibly with minor tweaks or even new upholstery colours and trim options. In Malaysia, the MPV comes with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 15.6-inch centre infotainment display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Locally, the Denza D9 is offered exclusively as a three-row, six-seater MPV with captain seats in the second row featuring heating, ventilation and massage functions. Notably, it also comes with a built-in fridge behind the centre console, capable of operating between -6 and 50 degrees Celsius.
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In terms of power, the report suggests that the EV Denza D9 is set for a significant upgrade. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) variant is expected to feature a 462 hp (340 kW) electric motor, while the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version adds a 95 hp (70 kW) motor on the rear axle, bringing total output to 557 hp (410 kW) — a massive jump over the current D9.
For context, the Denza D9 Advance variant in Malaysia features a front-mounted electric motor delivering 313 hp (230 kW) and 360 Nm, whereas the Premium AWD variant gains an additional rear motor for a combined output of 374 hp (275 kW) and 470 Nm.
Unfortunately, that is where the details end, with no information yet on battery capacity or range. The report only mentioned that “range is expected to be improved”, hinting that the car is set for a larger battery to compensate for the more power-hungry system.
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The current D9 in Malaysia uses a 103.36 kWh battery, delivering up to 520 km (WLTP) of range for the Advance variant and 480 km (WLTP) for the AWD Premium. Without an increase in battery capacity, or more efficient inverters and electric components, those figures would almost certainly take a hit.
What is mentioned, though, is the addition of BYD’s latest “God’s Eye 5.0” advanced driver assistance system, featuring an array of cameras and sensors mounted above the front windscreen to offer enhanced autonomous emergency braking and evasive steering assist, along with improved detection of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, and supports automated city and highway driving.
That said, the system is unlikely to arrive in Malaysia anytime soon due to differences in local regulations and infrastructure.
READ MORE: 2025 Denza D9 launched in Malaysia – EV luxury MPV, 2 variants, from RM259K
