Denza B5 vs Ford Everest

The B5 wins power overwhelmingly. Its plug-in-hybrid drivetrain makes a combined 400kW and 760Nm, where the Everest makes 125kW as a four-cylinder or 184kW and 600Nm as the 3.0-litre V6 diesel. That is more than double even the top Everest's output, and the B5 claims 4.8 seconds to 100km/h, sports-car quick for a 4WD. The Everest's diesel answers with proven, torquey pulling power suited to towing and touring, and it does the job on a well-known drivetrain. But for outright pace and grunt, the electrified Denza is in a completely different league here, and no rival diesel comes close.

The Everest is the more practical family choice. It offers up to seven seats across its range where the Denza B5 is a five-seater only, and it carries a bigger boot both behind the seats and folded. For a growing family that needs the third row or the extra cargo space, the Everest is the clear pick. The B5 answers with more power, plug-in efficiency and more airbags, and its five-seat cabin is well equipped, but it cannot match the Ford for outright seating and space. If seven seats are on your list, the Everest is the only one of the two that provides them.

The B5 can be much cheaper to run, provided you plug it in. Its plug-in-hybrid drivetrain offers around 90km of electric-only range, so many daily trips use little or no fuel, and its combined figure is 3.9L/100km against the Everest diesel's 7.1 to 8.5. If you rarely charge, the advantage shrinks, but the B5 still uses less fuel than the diesel. The Everest answers with the simplicity and long range of a proven diesel, no charging required, and lower servicing risk from a known drivetrain. For low running costs with home charging, the B5 leads; for fuss-free touring, the diesel Everest has its own case.

The Everest is the stronger tow vehicle. It is rated to tow 3500kg braked to the B5's 3000kg, the full large-4WD benchmark, and its proven diesel torque and long range suit hauling a big van over distance without needing to charge. The B5 tows a respectable 3000kg and its electric torque is strong off the line, but a plug-in hybrid's efficiency advantage fades under a heavy load, when the petrol engine does most of the work. For a big caravan and long-distance towing, the Everest's higher rating and diesel drivetrain make it the safer choice of the two for a big load.

Both are seriously capable, but they take different approaches. The B5 brings steeper approach and departure angles than the Everest, instant electric torque for precise low-speed control, and off-road drive modes, though its wading depth and ground clearance trail the Ford slightly. The Everest counters with a proven mechanical four-wheel-drive system, a rear differential lock on its off-road grades, deeper wading and a long record of hard use in the bush. So the B5 is the more high-tech and torque-rich off-roader, the Everest the more proven and mechanically familiar one. Which suits depends on whether you trust electronics or a known driveline more.

Both hold five-star ANCAP ratings, so neither is a weak link. The B5 carries more airbags than the Everest, including a centre airbag, and scores a little higher for child occupant protection. The Everest edges the B5 for its safety-assist score and brings a well-developed suite of driver aids proven over years on sale. Both come with autonomous emergency braking and the expected active systems as standard. So the B5 has the passive-safety edge on paper, the Everest a slightly stronger assist result, and both earn the full five stars. On crash rating, this pair is evenly matched, both a strong result.

This is the heart of the decision. The B5 is a new nameplate from a brand still building its Australian reputation, so it has no long-term reliability data and a thin used-car market, where the Everest has a decade of proven service, a huge dealer and parts network and strong resale. That track record is worth real money over time. The B5 counters with a six-year warranty and a far more advanced, powerful and efficient package, which for some buyers outweighs the unknowns. If proven ownership and resale matter most, the Everest is the safer bet; if the performance and technology win you over, the B5 makes a strong case.

It comes down to what you want from a mid-size 4WD. Take the Denza B5 if you want the most power, plug-in efficiency and the newest cabin technology, and you do not need a third row or a proven badge. Take the Ford Everest if you want up to seven seats, heavy-duty towing, a lower entry price and the reassurance of a proven drivetrain and resale, and you can live with far less power and no electric running. One is the electrified performance newcomer; the other the proven, practical diesel benchmark. Match it to whether firepower or family-friendly pedigree leads your list.