2025 Denza D9 EV MPV review in Malaysia – RM259k-309k, should the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire be worried?

2025 Denza D9 EV MPV review in Malaysia – RM259k-309k, should the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire be worried?

Launched in Malaysia half a year ago, the Denza D9 quickly rose to become one of the country’s best-selling EV MPVs, currently second only to the BYD M6. According to the latest road transport department (JPJ) data, over 700 units have found homes so far this year, putting it well ahead of the Zeekr 009‘s 498 units and the Xpeng X9‘s 314.

It’s not difficult to see why – at RM259k-309k, the D9 is competitively-priced against the RM271k-301k X9 and the RM310k-360k 009, while being no less luxurious. But the real guy(s) to beat is/are the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire – over 10,300 units of just the Alphard have been registered so far this year, making it Malaysia’s 12th best-selling car. Yes, most of them are ‘recon’, but still, a long way to go to rub shoulders with a household name.

That hasn’t kept the D9 from trying though, and what an effort. At 5,250 mm long, 1,960 mm wide and 1,920 mm tall, it’s larger than the Japanese twins, while being 41 mm longer and 72 mm taller than even the Zeekr 009. Its 3,110 mm wheelbase is longer than the Toyotas’ 3,000 mm but shorter than the Zeekr’s 3,205 mm. The boot holds 410 litres; fold all the rear seats down for 2,310 litres.

Bosses, prepare to be properly pampered. The middle row’s individual business class-style power-adjustable seats feature 10-point massaging, one-touch recline and touchscreens built into the armrests. A 6.8-litre fridge keeps your drinks at whatever temperature you like between -6 and 50 degrees C.

Up front, there’s a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, a 15.6-inch infotainment touch-screen, ‘Hi Denza’ voice control, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a 50-watt wireless charger. The Denza D9 also gets a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems – including Level 2 semi-autonomous driving – and Disus-C adaptive damping on the Premium AWD variant for a smoother, more comfortable ride.

The RM259k Advanced FWD has one 313 PS/360 Nm front motor while the RM309k Premium AWD has that plus a 61 PS/110 Nm rear motor to give you 374 PS and 470 Nm of torque altogether. Thanks to a 103.6 kWh Blade LFP battery (30-80% in 30 minutes at the max 166 kW DC), the Denza D9 boasts WLTP-rated ranges of 520 km for the FWD and 480 km for the AWD.

Warranties? Six years/150,000 km for the vehicle, eight years/160,000 km for the battery and eight years/150,000 km for the drive motor and motor controller. There’s also a Malaysia-Singapore-Thailand cross-border after-sales warranty programme – worry no more if you travel often across these three nations.

The big question is: should the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire be worried? Jonathan Lee tries to find out in this in-depth video review of the range-topping Premium AWD. Hit Play once you’re done making that coffee.

2025 Denza D9 Premium AWD in Malaysia

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Maier on Aug 14, 2025 at 12:28 pm

    Many people love Alphard for its Robustness and Comfort.

    But now with more Comfortable variants like this BYD Denza D9 with Disus C and even AWD. Many less comfortable compact Sedan/SUV will worried for bringing Family.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • AkooIm on Aug 14, 2025 at 12:30 pm

    No… its an EV… only the owner need to be worried…

    *answering the question*

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Beroktua Emo lagi best on Aug 14, 2025 at 12:55 pm

    Literally an EV platform of Merc-benz Vito V-klass

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • ironic on Aug 15, 2025 at 11:09 am

      ironic because chinese MPVs came first so its the other way around where electric mercedes V is a copy of ccp cars.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Ben Yap on Aug 14, 2025 at 2:03 pm

    it is unlikely that Denza can take over Toyota. the alphard and vellfire has built a long reputation of being a luxury MPV. meanwhile Denza will have a hard time changing people’s mind. offering good product features and premium pricing doesn’t represent luxury brand but how consumers perceived it makes it a luxury brand.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • So, Alphard and Vellfire being used as hearsts is the luxury perception Denza should aim for…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Toyota Alphard/Vellfire only need to be worried until 31 Dec 2025 after which exemption for import and excise duties for CBU EVs will end and the Denza/BYD market will disappear.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • FrankC on Aug 15, 2025 at 10:12 am

      buy Denza, M6 or 009 now. after end of the year, price will go up.. then can resell these vehicle for a profit !!!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • What to worry? on Aug 14, 2025 at 10:02 pm

    Comparing Japanese that is 2 class higher. For what?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
    • haters gonna hate on Aug 16, 2025 at 7:52 pm

      why do malaysian like to buy second hand junk, spending 200k for vellfire alphard, same like air force buying 2nd hand old trash f18 fighters from kuwait

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Teksi Drebar on Aug 15, 2025 at 1:53 am

    I am looking for a new MPV to replace my Estima. Have looked at Xpeng X9 and Denza. Of course the cabin for both look impressive but it is already uncertain to buy an EV, and to spend RM200K+ for an EV, this will be a risky option. So, I settled with an Alphard. Use it for 5 years and sell it. At that time I will take another look at EV MPV. By that time maybe I will be able to see how the market is. If I were to buy one of these EV MPVs now, I will not be certain what will happen in 5 years’ time down the road whereas I am very certain with Alphard. You can see a lot of Alphard everywhere these days. Your money your choice.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • use brain on Aug 15, 2025 at 11:10 am

      imagine spending 200+k plus for a second hand sorry i mean recond car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
      • Teksi Drebar on Aug 16, 2025 at 7:29 pm

        Which is worth it if you know how much the new Alphard cost and how much you can sell it in 5 years down the road. Share with me the same about RM 200+K for an EV. Good luck.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
        • use brain on Aug 17, 2025 at 11:22 am

          250k only gets you a used alphard/ vellfire.. why so satisfied with 2nd hand car with high mileage? wouldn’t u prefer a brand new car for the same price? lol at this guy thinking only about Resale value

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 6
          • Teksi Drebar on Aug 18, 2025 at 8:53 pm

            Just to educate you, there are a lot of choices for recond Alphard that will be around 20k km mileage which is not that high mileage that you claim. Plus if you decide to sell it, it still have values that you can reuse the money for something else. These are some of the reasons why you can see a lot of Alphard on the road and they are mostly recond. So for academic arguments please explain more points why you consider RM250+K to get you one EV MPV is much better than getting an Alphard other than it is a brand new car. I believe the market for MPV EV is still not matured yet and people who bought Alphard are people who have considered this EVs and proceed to buy recond. So please provide more points, not for me, but for people who might see your valid points other than it is a brand new car. I am good to see the arguments, professionally.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • alibaba on Aug 15, 2025 at 11:15 am

    EV has no re-sell value

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • Pro-Palestine on Aug 21, 2025 at 9:40 am

      Smart consumers will understand that EV with Lithium Iron phosphate or sodium battery will hardly degrade and will outlive any ICE cars. They also know battery prices are dropping every year. After running their EV for 1 million KM, battery pack will be super cheap by then. But in all honesty, how many people can drive until 1 million KM. So basically a good EV with Lithium Iron batteries will not lose resale value. Those european, korean or japanese EV with highly degradable Lithium Ion batteries will have no resale value like the any other european ICE cars.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jorgensen Yam Liang Fatt on Aug 15, 2025 at 6:57 pm

    I think not sell many like Alphard becos the name D is what I also don’t know. I buy Alphard because the name is bring luck. People also call me Ah Fatt.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
 

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