Test Car Specifications
Model: 2026 Denza Z9GT DM-i (Chinese specification)
Price: TBC
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and three electric motors
Battery: 38.5kWh lithium-iron-phosphate 'Blade' battery
Transmission: automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 207hp (petrol engine only)
Torque: 325Nm (petrol engine only)
Emissions: TBC
Range: 125 miles (Chinese CLTC test)
0-62mph: 3.6 seconds
Top speed: TBC
Boot space: TBC litres
Styling
It's difficult not to compare upstart Chinese brands' designs with the products from which they may or may not have drawn inspiration, and there are similarities between the Z9GT and some German models. There's a bit of Taycan Sport Turismo in there, and maybe a bit of the old Panamera Sport Turismo, too, as well as something of the VW Arteon Shooting Brake about the rear end. We reckon the front looks like a squashed MG4 EV, too. But don't mistake all this comparison for criticism. The Z9GT is attractive enough in a slightly homogenous way, and while it may not be the most characterful design, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Interior
Denza has confessed that our Chinese-specification test car’s cabin will change slightly before the car comes to Europe, but the basics are expected to be much the same. A huge central touchscreen will be flanked by a digital instrument display and a passenger touchscreen, both of which are identically sized. There’s the option of more screens, too, with digital door mirrors in the offing.
The style is clean and minimalist in the way we’ve seen with so many would-be premium Chinese cars – think Skywell BE11, Nio EL6 and the like – and the materials are largely pretty smart. It doesn’t feel quite as solid as a Porsche, but it’s still pretty solid, and only a few rough edges let the side down. And given BMW’s cabins don’t feel quite as solid as they once did, the Denza isn’t so far behind.
The technology is clearly a focus for the new brand, though, and there are some issues with that. The screens have clearly been inspired by the Apple iPad, but the icons are occasionally confusing and the menus are little better. You might get used to it over time, but it’s a bit of an oddity at first. Fortunately, the digital instrument display is a bit more like it, with a more self-explanatory layout, albeit a cramped one.
Practicality
As seems to be the case so often with Chinese cars, rear cabin space takes priority over boot capacity, and the Z9GT is no exception. Although Denza hasn't given us an official boot size figure, we've had a little look and it isn't what you'd call huge. Certainly, it doesn't look any bigger than that of a Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo, and that doesn't exactly have a massive cargo bay. What the Z9GT does have, however, is acres of space in the back. Legroom is more than a match for pretty much anything else in the class, and headroom is more than adequate, too. Even with the sunroof.
Performance
The Z9GT is offered with a choice of hybrid and electric powertrains, but they're both based around the same architecture, with three electric motors. The electric version, set to come to Europe in November, combines a 230kW front motor with two 240kW rear motors and a 100kWh battery, whereas the DM-i hybrid tested here gets a 200kW front motor, two 220kW rear motors and a 2.0-litre petrol engine.
With a turbocharger and four cylinders, the engine produces 207hp and 325Nm of torque, and while Denza is a bit hazy about how the whole system works, the system clearly offers plenty of performance. Getting from 0-62mph takes 3.6 seconds, and with the petrol engine shut down, the 38.5kWh battery allows the car to cover 125 miles on a single charge. Or at least, it covers 125 miles on the Chinese CLTC economy test. The European WLTP test is a bit more stringent, so we don't expect it to be quite so impressive in this country. Nevertheless, it should be enough for most people to drive on electric power alone from day to day.
Ride & Handling
Our short test drive took place on a test track using a Chinese-specification car, so we can't say too much about the car's ride comfort. What bumps we encountered were dealt with reasonably tidily, although there was a distinct jiggle to the ride at medium speeds that irritated slightly.
The handling was more impressive, with surprisingly weighty steering and decent body control for something so big, but the brakes are a bit of a weak spot. Inconsistent and spongy, they make it quite difficult to drive smoothly at low speeds, and they offer very little in the way of feel.
But Denza is clearly aware that the Chinese market is different to that of Europe, and the company has promised to make changes, tweaks and refinements before the cars go on sale in this part of the world. Given the rate of change at other Chinese brands, it seems likely that plenty of development work will be undertaken over the coming months.
That includes the development of the four-wheel steering system, which allows the rear wheels to turn completely independently by up to 10 degrees in either direction. Not only does that give the car a much tighter turning circle, but it also allows the car to 'crab' diagonally to help in manoeuvre in tight spaces.
In fact, the system can even turn the two back wheels in opposite directions and run one in reverse while the other drives forward, allowing the car to pivot around its front wheels. It's basically stationary drifting, and while it clearly wears the tyres noticeably, it allows the car to nose into a tight parking space, then slide sideways into the gap. In fairness, it's unlikely to be used very often on the road (not least because it rips up the asphalt as much as the rubber), but it's a good party trick and it's likely to cause a stir on TikTok or in your local pub car park.
Value
Denza still hasn't confirmed how much the Z9GT will cost in the UK, and we haven't even been given a rough guide, so we've no idea where it will stand alongside its rivals. We do, however, know it will come with plenty of kit, including the big central screen, wireless phone charging and the digital instrument cluster. Whether all that will represent value for money alongside the expensive but lavishly appointed rivals from European car makers remains to be seen.
Verdict
Without pricing information and a European-specification car to test, it's difficult to draw any solid conclusions about the Z9GT. The gimmicks will undoubtedly create a bit of buzz on social media, but showrooms are very different, and the underlying product is acceptable, but no better. So unless the Z9GT is considerably cheaper than its rivals, or it gets some substantial upgrades between now and the end of the year, there seems to be little to shout about.
