People Mover

Chinese EV specialist Li Auto looks like it’s on the march towards the Aussie new car market with news the rapidly expanding brand is setting up operations in Malaysia, having already confirmed it will produce right-hand drive versions of two of its most high-profile models. Offering an eight-model line-up in China, across pure-electric SUV and people mover options, as well EREV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle) SUVs, Li Auto has already stated it will produce its electric Li i6 five-seat SUV and Li Mega EV people mover in RHD for sale in Hong Kong, Singapore and other ASEAN nations before the end of 2026. The move into Malaysia (another RHD market) means Li Auto is almost certainly following a well-trodden path for new challenger brands on their way to opening up shop Down Under. The Li i6 is the entry-point to the Li Auto range, measuring just under five metres long, close to 2.0m wide and around 1.6m tall with a 3000mm wheelbase. But this swoopy SUV is no bare bones base model, featuring a 15.7-inch HD dual screen for backseaters, 20-speaker premium audio and multimedia driven by a high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon chip set. Highly configurable Nappa leather seats, ambient lighting, power everything, a panoramic roof and close to 730 litres of boot space (with all seats up) mark it as a high-end blend of luxury and practicality. Offered domestically in (250kW/425Nm) single-motor rear-wheel drive and (400kW/660Nm) dual-motor all-wheel drive form, the i6 features an 87.3kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery and supports ultra-fast DC charging for a 10 to 80 per cent top up in less than 15 minutes. Maximum CLTC range is 720km. The Li Mega is a futuristic, strongly aero-influenced (Cd 0.21) luxury people mover offering seven seats including two fully rotating captains chairs in the second row. At over 5.3 metres long, just under 2.0m wide and a bit over 1.8m tall with a 3300mm wheelbase it’s a substantial machine offering everything from heating for all seven seats (ventilation and massage function on the first two rows) multiple large screens, Dolby audio and a dual-purpose refrigerator, to a massive panoramic roof, Nappa leather upholstery and one-touch power doors. With dual electric motors producing overall outputs of 413kW/542Nm this 2.8-tonne beast can blast from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.  Its 103kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery is good for a quoted CLTC range of 710km and the car’s 800-volt architecture delivers a peak charge capacity of 520kW for a 10-80 per cent charge in just over 10 minutes. The Li i6 single-motor starts at ¥249,800 in China with the dual-motor at ¥269,800. Taking import and distribution costs into account those prices would likely translate to around A$70,000 and A$75,000, respectively, putting it in the same price ballpark as large EV SUV players like the Ford Mach-E (from $65,990), Kia EV6 (from $72,865) and Lexus RZ (from $84,500). The Li Mega costs ¥509,800 in China, which would potentially end up at around A$140,000 here, mixing it with the XPeng X9 (from $89,900) and Zeekr 009 (from $115,900).  CarsGuide has contacted Li Auto through its Beijing HQ for comment on the Li i6 and Li Mega’s potential sale in Australia.

BYD Australia has confirmed pricing for the next of its models in line for an Australian launch, its M9 people-mover. The 2026 BYD M9 will start from $61,990, before on-road costs, in Australia for the eight-seat M9 Dynamic, though the first grade to arrive will be the flagship seven-seat M9 Premium priced at $72,990. BYD’s first people mover, the M9, joins a market category dominated by the Kia Carnival, though the Hyundai Staria and Ford Tourneo take up distant second and third places. Other new arrivals to the people-mover category are more expensive, like the BYD-related Denza D9 or the Zeekr 009. On its 3045mm wheelbase, the M9 is 5145mm long, 1970mm wide and 1805mm high and its three-row layout provides "generous accommodation" according to the brand. Its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain draws power from a 36.60kWh BYD LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) 'Blade' battery, the Dynamic with a 20.39kWh equivalent and features a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine to charge the battery and help provide drive. The Premium, the only grade available from launch, boasts 145km of EV range and up to 850km of combined range (under WLTP testing) according to BYD, with AC and DC charging, as well as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) all supported. Its drivetrain consists of a front-mounted electric motor that provides 200kW and 315Nm, though with the engine’s help total outputs are 218kW and 315Nm. With enough battery charge, the fuel consumption claim for the M9 is 0.4L/100km, but with a low battery that jumps to 7.3L/100km - still a reasonable figure. While features for the entry Dynamic grade are yet to be confirmed, the Premium comes with a long list of luxe features including: A 12.3-inch digital instrument driver display A 15.6-inch multimedia touchscreen Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Over-the-air updates (OTA)  12-speaker sound system Four-zone voice control Leather upholstery  Heated and ventilated front seats with massage function  Heated and ventilated second-row captain's chairs with massage function An integrated refrigerator and hotbox Augmented reality (AR) projection Power sunroof Acoustic front glass Privacy rear glass Interior ambient lighting LED headlights LED tail-lights 50W wireless phone charger The BYD M9 also features nine airbags and a suite of crash-avoidance safety kit including a surround-view camera system and eight ultrasonic sensors to aid in advanced driver assist (ADAS) functions. BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the M9 is part of the brand’s “commitment to this market”. “The M9 marks the seventh all-new model BYD has introduced within 12 months, and all of them in new segments.  “We also added two significant new Shark 6 variants, the Shark 6 Cab Chassis and Shark 6 Premium pick-up, in response to customer needs. “The acceptance of BYD vehicles is reflected in our continued strong sales, with year-to-date deliveries more than double ahead of last year, which itself was a record year.”

The first model from GWM’s premium sub-brand, Wey, has been approved for sale in Australia ahead of its expected launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. This is the GWM Wey G9, which is a people mover that has been offered in China since 2023. At this stage GWM hasn’t officially announced that the Wey G9 will be launching in Australia, but if it does it will form as a rival to the likes of the BYD M9, GAC M8 and Kia Carnival, among others. According to government approval documents, the GWM Wey G9 has been approved for local sale in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) guises. The hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors. Total system output is 263kW. The PHEV powertrain, on the other hand, pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors. Despite having a smaller engine, it has a higher total system output of 325kW. Given the dual electric motors on each axle this means that both versions of the Wey G9 are all-wheel drive. The approval documents don’t list the battery pack the PHEV version will havem, but globally there is a 38kWh and 44.5kWh unit available. This offers up to 140km and 170km of electric range, respectively, according to lenient CLTC testing. There is little else new information about the GWM Wey G9 in the local approval documents beyond the weights and dimensions. The hybrid version has a tare mass of 2504kg and a gross vehicle mass of 3165kg, whereas the PHEV version has a tare mass of 2759kg and a gross vehicle mass of 3355kg. The hybrid version has a braked towing capacity of 1500kg, whereas the PHEV isn’t allowed to tow at all. The GWM Wey G9 measures in at 5055mm long, 1985mm wide and 1925mm tall, with a 3085mm wheelbase. This makes it slightly shorter but taller than the Kia Carnival. According to the local approval documents, all versions of the Wey G9 will come with 18-inch alloy wheels. GWM has confirmed it will launch the Wey sub-brand in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026 and it’s expected the G9 people mover will be the first model given it has now been approved for local sale. It’s expected the G9 won’t be the only Wey model on offer Down Under. It has previously said that large SUVs and people movers will be the focus. The brand recently launched the V9X large SUV in China. It debuted a new architecture called the GWM ONE platform. It’s powered by a PHEV powertrain that in top-spec form offers total system outputs of up to 550kW and 930Nm, as well as a battery pack that’s up to 80kWh in capacity. This allows for up to 470km of CLTC-claimed electric range. If the GWM Wey V9X comes to Australia it will form as a rival to the Denza B8 and Zeekr 8X, as well as the Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Premium electrified people movers are growing in popularity, propelled by the VW ID. Buzz EV, as well as Chinese brands like Zeekr and Denza. The XPeng X9 is the latest, with comparatively keen pricing, a huge list of standard features and impressively advanced tech, including air suspension. Great on paper, but we have doubts on some fronts, given our experiences with the Performance AWD model.

Kia has teased its electric Carnival alternative overseas.  The brand has provided a glimpse at its new PV7 van ahead of an official debut on 14 September 2026 at the IAA Transportation.   The PV7 is the bigger sibling of the PV5 that launched in Australia this year.  It will tackle the Ford E-Transit Custom van as well as the Hyundai Staria Electric people mover.  It would shape up as a cheaper alternative to luxury Chinese competition such as the Denza D9 and Zeekr 009 in Australia.  Details are scarce at this stage, with Kia only providing a preview before it receives an official unveiling next month.  The PV7 is expected to be available in both cargo and passenger configurations, as Kia stated it is adaptable across commercial and lifestyle applications.  The PV7 concept was nearly 5.3m long, which is a little longer than the diesel- and hybrid-powered Carnival. From the outside, it sports a rounded front look, similar to the PV5, while it also features an angular headlight design. Its rear headlights are assembled in a vertical shape, with a chrome-look rear bumper.  It will be the brand’s second model to use its dedicated all-electric E-GMP.S platform, following the PV5.  Kia has not confirmed what will power the PV7, but the PV5 employs a single electric motor producing 120kW and 250Nm.  More details will be revealed in the coming weeks.  There is no official word on the PV7 in Australia, but it seems likely Kia would be eager to add another electric people mover to its line-up.  The PV7 will launch in the UK next year, so it will be built in right-hand drive, smoothing its potential launch here. Kia recently launched the smaller PV5 Down Under, with the cargo variant arriving first followed by the people mover that has just been approved for local sale. An Australian arrival for the PV7 would come after it launches globally in 2027. We can expect more concrete information around the PV7’s Australian future when it’s officially unveiled next month.

BYD's answer to the Kia Carnival is coming to Australia. The BYD M9 plug-in hybrid is due to arrive in the fourth quarter of this year as a new electrified people mover option for buyers. The M9 will directly tackle the conventional hybrid- and diesel-powered Kia Carnival ($54,560, before on-road costs), sporting very similar dimensions. The M9 is BYD’s second people mover put on sale in Australia, following the arrival of the Denza D9 from the brand’s luxury division earlier this year. The M9 name comes from BYD’s Chinese ride-sharing and taxi services sub-brand Linghui. It also shares its underpinnings with the luxury-focused Xia DM-i people mover.  It will be available in ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Premium’ grades, initially as a seven-seater that includes second-row captains chairs, before an eight-seater variant arrives afterwards.  The front wheels are driven by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor, but BYD has not revealed output figures yet.  In China the engine produces 115kW, while an electric motor adds a further 200kW.  It will be equipped with either a 20.4kWh or 36.6kWh battery, offering 145km of electric-only driving range and a total range figure of 850km, according to WLTP standards.  BYD confirmed the car will have DC charging capacity and vehicle-to-load capacity so devices can be powered directly from the car.  Inside the car is available with heated and ventilated front and second row seats, as well as ‘near’ zero gravity adjustability.  BYD has not confirmed a specific launch date, other than it will be in the fourth quarter of this year.  The brand will also reveal pricing in Q4 and it is expected to be competitive with the established pack.  It will certainly be cheaper than the Denza D9 starting from $95,990, while hybrid variants of the Kia Carnival kick off from $68,540. 

XPeng has confirmed the pricing and specifications of its next new vehicle in Australia, the X9 electric people mover, as orders open. There are two versions of the 2027 XPeng X9 available at launch, the FWD Standard Range and AWD Performance. Pricing is $89,900, before on-road costs and $109,900, before on-road costs, respectively. This sees it undercut the luxurious Zeekr 009, but it’s priced similarly to the Denza D9. The entry-level X9 FWD Standard Range is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 235kW. It’s fed by a 94.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and offers up to 535km of WLTP-claimed range. The flagship X9 AWD Performance, on the other hand, has a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with total system outputs of 370kW and 640Nm. This allows it to travel from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds. The dual electric motors are fed by a larger 110kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery which offers up to 580km of WLTP-claimed range. AC charging across the line-up is 11kW, whereas peak DC fast-charging is up to 542kW. This allows for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 12 minutes. There’s also vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities at up to 6kW. As standard there is air suspension with adaptive dampers, as well as a rear-axle steering system. A seven-seat configuration is standard with second-row captain’s chairs that offer 14 ways of electric adjustment, heating, ventilation and massaging, as well as a 17.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system, a 21-inch head-up display, 21.4-inch rear touchscreen, 27-speaker sound system and a fridge/hotbox. On the safety front there are nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane centring, a semi-autonomous park assist, as well as a surround-view camera. The X9 is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km. Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first. Pricing will be confirmed at a later date. Beyond the updated G6 electric mid-size SUV and the X9 electric people mover, XPeng also plans to launch the L03 coupe SUV, G9L large SUV and the L05 mid-size SUV in Australia over the next six months. The Chinese carmaker has also confirmed the flagship GX SUV will launch in Australia, however it hasn’t locked in concrete launch timing yet.

Zeekr’s flagship family hauler is lurking on Australia’s door-step. The big and luxurious Zeekr 009 Grand people mover has been shown in right-hand drive in Hong Kong. The 009 Grand ditches the third row for a business class on wheels-like four-seat layout. Made to appeal to back-seat passengers, the 009 Grand has reclining seats wrapped in supple leather and synthetic suede. They will pamper the passengers with massage, heating and ventilation functions. A monster 43-inch LED display separates the front and rear rows, transforming the area to a boardroom on the move. There are lockable consoles in the rear, which open via a pin code, cubbyholes to put your shoes and a refrigerator.  Zeekr Australia’s Managing Director Frank Li has previously confirmed to CarsGuide the 009 Grand would come Down Under later this year. “In the second half of the year, we will be welcoming a very luxurious model, the 009 four-seater. “In China this is called the 009 Grand and it will have even better features than the current car,” Li said. The 009 Grand hasn’t been updated in China like the rest of the range, which means it misses out on the brand’s new 900-volt architecture and subsequent circa-400kW DC charging speed. Instead it maintains the 800-volt set-up of the current version, which delivers a DC charging rate of about 200kW. At its heart the 009 Grand has a 108kW Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery that delivers a driving range of more than 700km via China’s more lenient test cycle. Six- and seven-seat versions with the same hardware deliver a driving range of about 560km in Australia. The 009 Grand uses a dual motor set-up, with the two powerplants combining for 580kW and 810Nm. Big, luxurious people-movers are all the rage in China and several makers are going to get in on the act here. BYD’s Denza is offerings its D9 people mover and GAC has its more affordable M8 plug-in hybrid people mover on sale now, too.

Hyundai has just updated its Staria people mover and despite the imminent arrival of new electric and hybrid variants, is this diesel workhorse version still worth considering?

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its VLE luxury people mover, as it seeks to fight back against Chinese rivals in the segment. Several major Chinese brands have recently unveiled their next-generation luxury people movers, some of which will end up in Australia. BYD’s luxury arm Denza has recently introduced its D9 electric people mover to battle the Zeekr 009, while the XPeng X9 is also scheduled for a launch some time this year. The Zeekr 009 has paved the way for more luxury electric people movers to enter the Aussie market, with the trend catching on to some of the segment favourites. An electric version of the Hyundai Staria is on the cards for Australia, as it looks to hunt down the runaway leader of the segment, the petrol and hybrid-powered Kia Carnival. Mercedes-Benz has not provided a firm arrival date for the car, but it is featured on the brand's Australian website, which could indicate the people mover is under consideration. A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Australia said the VLE is yet to be confirmed for a domestic launch. Considering the price of its rivals, expect a price tag well north of $100K. The brand already offers its diesel V-Class and electric EQV and eVito Tourer people movers Down Under. Like many of these people movers, the VLE gets the latest in lavish luxury equipment. It will come in six- and eight-seat configurations, with electric seat adjustability. There is a 14.0-inch central touchscreen display, along with a 14.0-inch front passenger display and 10.25-inch digital driver display. To add to the glamour, rear passengers get a retractable 31.3-inch screen, which can be used to stream videos or play computer games. There will be two electric motor set-ups available on the VLE. The single-motor variant produces 203kW and is rear-wheel drive, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version packs 300kW, shifting the vehicle from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds. The 115kWh battery offers a driving range of more than 700km, according to the WLTP testing cycle. Cheaper grades of the VLE will launch next year, featuring an 80kWh battery. The VLE is built on an 800-volt platform and is capable of charging at 320kW, giving it snappy recharge times, with 355km of driving range able to be added in 15 minutes. According to Mercedes, the people mover has a braked towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes.