The car community was recently debating which country had the most powerful hybrid vehicles: China or America. I know horsepower and quickness are a lot flashier to discuss, but we all know the real performance spec that matters for hybrids is the range — and China has just won that critical battle.
The new Denza Z9 GT electric station wagon has the world’s longest range at 644 miles, keeping the record in China’s grasp.
The Denza Z9 GT is more than just its range
The Denza Z9 GT comes equipped with a 102.326kWh battery that offers a range up to 547 miles, while upgrading to the 122.496kWh battery boosts the range to an incredible, record-breaking 644 miles, according to the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle. Keep in mind that the CLTC’s test conditions are ideal, with lower speeds and longer idle times, so the 644 miles is a bit optimistic but definitely real and doable.
The vehicle’s powertrain includes a single-motor version for a maximum output of 496 horsepower or a new high-power tri-motor version with a combined 1,140 horsepower. You know, just a casual jump in horsepower there. It’s offered in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The top speed is around 168 miles per hour.
Evoking BYD’s “Elegant Stance” design motto, the Denza Z9 GT has an angular, aggressive exterior with a lidar unit placed on the roof, angled, playful headlights, and an active rear spoiler. The 21-inch wheels were designed to reduce noise, making the interior feel extra luxurious. You get bright red sports seats, a 17.3-inch central control screen, dual 13.2-inch screens, and plenty of smart and safety features. Top Gear reviewed the 2025 model, concluding: “You can tell that plenty of attention has been lavished on its interior. All the materials feel top-notch, there are some neat design touches around the cabin (the ‘Chinese Knot’ motif is particularly sweet), and everything feels solid.”
And more importantly, Top Gear replied, “Oh goodness, yes,” when asked whether the Denza Z9 GT was fast.
China is running away with the EV market
So, the BYD Denza Z9 GT is fast, posh, and has incredible range. Can other countries even compete with China at this point? I mean, yeah, unless you factor in price.
There are plenty of other electric vehicles in the United States that offer impressive range. We have the Lucid Air Grand Touring with 516 miles, the Chevrolet Silverado EV with 492 miles, the Rivian R1S (Max Pack) with 410 miles, and the Tesla Model S Long Range with 405 miles. These electric vehicles also have cockpits full of technology, screens, and plush touches. It’s not like we are living in the Stone Age.
However, the latest Lucid Air Grand Touring starts at $116,400 while the BYD Denza Z9 GT is expected to be in the mid-$50,000 range when it releases. This is where America just can’t compete. With BYD vehicles coming to Canada after the country decided to allow in a limited amount of low-cost Chinese imports each year, it’s going to be hard for Americans to deny that they want cheaper, more innovative EVs. Studies already show that more and more Americans are interested in Chinese EVs, likely sick of the ever-increasing price of new cars in the country.
Ford is attempting to fill that void with a lineup of $40,000 EVs, but it’s a tough pill to swallow when you realize these are going to probably be pretty simplified, cheaply made vehicles to reach this price point while China is breaking records and offering innovation and luxury for just $10,000 more. Still, there are some Patriots who would choose Ford over BYD no matter what, paranoid about China’s safety, reliability, and whatever else the government has said to keep us from wanting one. So, while I don’t think we can actually beat China’s car market, I think automakers like Ford will still compete in their own way, especially if the Trump Administration keeps balking at letting Chinese EVs enter the country.
But that 644 miles, though.
