2023 Best Minivans and People Movers on Sale in Australia

By Alexi Falson on 30 Nov 2023
image for 2023 Best Minivans and People Movers on Sale in Australia For many buyers, the size of your family will lead you to the point that a minivan, otherwise known as a people mover is one of the most logical, pragmatic buys on the market.

When tasked with a family of up to eight people, as well as their bags and a decent load of shopping or sports equipment, there’s few vehicles on the market that can handle the practical demands of an Aussie family with the confidence of a minivan.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the best minivans and people movers on sale here in Australia in 2023 to help you out with your hunt for an all-encompassing family wagon.

Toyota Granvia

2023 toyota granvia

The latest and greatest minivan in the Toyota stables comes in the form of the Granvia, which comes in your choice of a six- or eight-seat layout that is great for large families looking for a well-equipped and safe people mover.

The Granvia’s cabin is a lovely place for families to sit back on a short hop around town or a long distance journey, with a decent amount of torque from its HiLux-sourced turbo-diesel engine paired with a smooth six-speed automatic.

  • Engine: 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 
  • Power & Torque: 130kW/450Nm 
  • Fuel Economy: 8.0L/100km 
  • Seats: 6 - 8 
  • Boot Space: N/A
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star 
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Kia Carnival

2023 kia carnival

The Kia Carnival is arguably Australia’s favourite minivan, offering a sleek, immensely practical layout that can comfortably accommodate a family of eight.

As per usual with Kia, there’s a particularly generous approach to the equipment lists and the warranty coverage, with the company trimming the previous (and thirsty) 3.5-litre V6 in favour of its torque-filled turbo-diesel engine lineup that feels great on the road, while the package itself is user-friendly and easy to drive around town.

  • Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 
  • Power & Torque: 148kW/440Nm 
  • Fuel Economy: 6.5L/100km 
  • Seats: 8 
  • Boot Space: 627L
    ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star  
  • Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

Hyundai Staria

2023 hyundai staria

The Hyundai Staria is one of the most futuristic and sleek-looking minivans currently on sale in Australia, with its platform and engine lineup borrowed from the Kia Carnival that makes for a seriously impressive eight-seat people mover.

Inside the funky exterior styling package is a large, spacious cabin with massive windows all around the cabin and a heap of practical touches to keep the family happy, with Hyundai offering both front- and all-wheel drive systems for added driving confidence.

  • Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol or 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 
  • Power & Torque: 200kW/331Nm & 130kW/430Nm 
  • Fuel Economy: 10.5 - 8.2L/100km 
  • Seats: 8 
  • Boot Space: 831L
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star  
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

LDV Mifa 9

2023 ldv mifa 9

The LDV Mifa 9 range stacks up as one of the only battery-electric minivans you’ll find on the Australian market, with its large, spacious and silent platform making for a great people mover option, though it doesn’t come cheap.

Inside, the battery-electric platform has allowed LDV to maximise interior space and comfort with a set of bespoke design features for the large, light-filled cabin, while even base models pick up a heap of premium touches like 19-inch alloys, powered sliding doors, ambient lighting and a surround-view camera.

  • Engine: Single permanent magnetic synchronous motor 
  • Power & Torque: 180kW/350Nm
  • Driving Range: 430 - 440km (90kWh battery pack) 
  • Seats: 7 
  • Boot Space: 466L
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star   
  • Warranty: Five-year/200,000km

Volkswagen Multivan

2023 volkswagen multivan

Volkswagen has long been in the game of practical minivans and people-movers, and the latest generation Multivan range shows just how experienced the company is when it comes to transporting seven people in comfort and style.

The Multivan range gives buyers a healthy amount of choice in terms of wheelbase options, engine choices and the confidence of an all-wheel drive system, while the interior boasts some clever, flexible seating arrangements and a long list of safety gear that makes it well-worth a closer look.

  • Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
  • Power & Torque: 110kW/340Nm - 146kW/450Nm
  • Fuel Economy: 6.6 - 7.0L/100km 
  • Seats: 7 
  • Boot Space: 469 - 763L
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star  
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

2023 mercedes-benz v-class

For buyers looking for a more premium, European approach to family-friendly motoring, the latest generation of V-Class minivans are some of the most luxurious you’ll get your hands on.

Inside the cabin, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class can be optioned in both your typical six- and seven-seat layouts, as well as a super premium four-seat layout that adds a pair of lounge-like captains chairs with a heap of creature comforts to keep your family happy.

  • Engine: 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
  • Power & Torque: 140kW/440Nm - 174kW/500Nm
  • Fuel Economy: 7.4L/100km 
  • Seats: 4 - 6 - 7
  • Boot Space: 1030L
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated   
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

LDV Mifa

2023 ldv mifa

LDV’s internal combustion-powered take on the Mifa people-mover is one of the most attractive value propositions in the world of minivans, with the sleek seven-seat platform set to be joined by an eight-seat layout in the near future.

It’s far more affordable than its battery-electric sibling, with that added accessibility bolstered by a long list of entertainment and safety equipment additions as standard for the large and spacious Mifa.

  • Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol 
  • Power & Torque: 160kW/360Nm
  • Fuel Economy: 9.3L/100km 
  • Seats: 7 
  • Boot Space: 466L
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star  
  • Warranty: Seven-year/200,000km

Volkswagen Caravelle

2023 volkswagen caravelle

For families looking for even more space and comfort than the Multivan, Volkswagen’s flagship minivan, the Caravelle, may well be the answer to your prayers.

Boasting a massive long-wheelbase platform with enough space for up to nine people, the Caravelle comes ready for action whether it’s transporting a load of paying passengers on an airport run or less than gracious kids on their way to school, there’s room aplenty inside the Caravelle.

  • Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
  • Power & Torque: 110kW/340Nm
  • Fuel Economy: 6.6L/100km 
  • Seats: 9  
  • Boot Space: N/A 
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated  
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mercedes-Benz EQV

2023 mercedes-benz eqv

Joining the Mifa 9 as one of the few battery-electric minivans available here in Australia, the Mercedes-Benz EQV is a wonderful, lavish and undeniably premium people-mover that offers smooth, silent motoring for you, your family and potentially paying customers, too.

Inside, the battery-electric powertrain has allowed Mercedes to extract even more space throughout the cabin, while the V-Class’ large platform allows for a comfortable, seven-seat layout for you and your family.

  • Engine: Single permanent magnetic synchronous motor 
  • Power & Torque: 150kW/365Nm
  • Driving Range: 418km (NEDC test cycle) from 90kWh battery pack 
  • Seats: 7 
  • Boot Space: 1030L
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated 
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Volkswagen Caddy

2023 volkswagen caddy 5

While it doesn’t look like you’re typical minivan, the Volkswagen Caddy is indeed capable of transporting a family of seven, in the case of the people-mover lineup.

Within the range, there’s three trim levels with two choices of engines available, giving Australian buyers a healthy amount of options across different minivan price points, while the cabin itself offers a decent amount of space for families of seven at a very attractive price.

  • Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol & 2.0-litre turbo-diesel 
  • Power & Torque: 84kW/220Nm - 90kW/320Nm 
  • Fuel Economy: 6.4 - 4.9L/100km 
  • Seats: 7 
  • Boot Space: 446L
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star  
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Request a Quote

If you’re searching high and low for the best price on your next car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help take the stress out of the buying process.

AF

Alexi Falson

Alexi is an automotive journalist and road tester hailing from Byron Bay. He has an affection for both cars and motorbikes, a great admiration for the simplicity of old-school engineering, and a fascination of new technology making its way to modern cars. When he's not road testing, you'll find him surfing, hiking or helping people find their dream cars.

Have any questions? Call us on 1300 719 925

car icon
close sticky hub button
Compare
Hide

Compare

Compare
Maximum of 3 vehicles