Six of the best: People movers

Denza D9 AWD

Hard on the heels of the launch of Denza’s B5 and B8 off-roaders comes the D9 people mover.

Characterised by its striking oversized grille, the all-electric D9 comes in two trim grades starting with the single-motor front-wheel drive priced from $85,990 (MRLP) rising to the more powerful and better equipped D9 all-wheel drive from $95,990 (MRLP).

Under the futuristic skin of both variants is a 103.3kWh BYD Blade battery which, in the AWD grade, powers dual electric motors delivering outputs of 275kW/470Nm and a range of 480km (WLTP).

A 3,110mm wheelbase and 5,250mm overall length provide plenty of interior space, with seating for seven.

The seats in all three rows are finished in plush Nappa leather with second-row captain’s chairs featuring ventilation, massage function, power leg rests, four-way lumbar adjustment and seat position memory, all controlled via a 5.5-inch display built into the armrests.

Double-layer acoustic glass and a 14-speaker, 420-watt Dynaudio system, power sliding doors and electronically controlled dampers round out Denza’s impressive luxury offering.  

• Price: $95,990 (MRLP)
• Motor: Dual electric, AWD (275kW/470Nm)
• Battery: 103.3kWh BYD Blade (LFP)
• Range: 480km (WLTP) / 23–27 kWh/100km
• Safety: Not tested
• Warranty: 6yr/150,000km; 8yr/160,000km battery

Zeekr 009 AWD

Part of China’s sprawling Geely Automotive group – which also owns Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lotus and Proton – Zeekr has been steadily building its brand presence in Australia since late 2024 with a premium portfolio that includes the Zeekr X compact SUV, the Zeekr 7X mid-size SUV, and the Zeekr 009 electric people-mover.

The three-variant ultra-luxury 009 is priced from $115,900 for the seven-seat front-wheel drive (FWD) model, rising to $135,900 for the seven-seat all-wheel drive (AWD), and $139,900 for the six-seat AWD.

Both FWD and AWD variants utilise a 116kWh battery enabling a range of 604km on the single-motor FWD or 582km on the dual-motor AWD.

The latter boasts stellar maximum outputs of 450kW/693Nm which shifts the Zeekr’s 2,870kg mass from zero to 100km/h in a scintillating 4.5 seconds.

The 009 can be configured as a six- or seven-seater, with the former featuring second-row captain’s chairs that look like something out of an airline business class cabin.

There are lashings of top-spec Nappa leather throughout, along with a 30-speaker Yamaha sound system, and a 17-inch rear seat OLED display screen. 

• Price: $139,900 (MRLP)
• Motor: Dual electric AWD (450kW/693Nm)
• Battery: 116kWh lithium-ion (NMC)
• Range: 582km (WLTP) / 19.5kWh/100km
• Safety: Not tested
• Warranty: 5yr unlimited; 8yr/160,000km battery

GAC M8 Luxury

Another Chinese newcomer is the GAC M8, a seven-seat people mover offered in Premium and Luxury grades, priced from $76,590 and $83,590 respectively.

Measuring 1,823mm high, 1,893mm wide and 5,212mm long, the M8 is about the size of a Kia Carnival and is easily distinguished by its enormous chrome grille.

Available exclusively with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the M8’s 25.57kWh battery delivers 106km of electric range, with its front-mounted electric motor assisting the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine to a total range of 1,032km at an average of 6.05L/100km (WLTP).

Peak outputs of 274kW/630Nm are enough to propel the M8 from 0-100km/h in a respectable 8.8 seconds.

The interior is generously equipped with second-row captain’s chairs with built-in armrests, electric adjustment and air-pump massage function.

In Luxury specification, the interior is cloaked in high-grade half-aniline leather.

Electromagnetic dampers help deliver a supple ride over variable surfaces, while V2L technology with a discharge rate of up to 3.3kW allows the M8 to power electrical appliances like a barbecue grill.

• Price: $83,590 (MRLP)
• Powertrain: 2.0L turbo hybrid FWD (274kW/630Nm)
• Battery: 25.57kWh (LFP)
• Range: 1,032km / 6.05L/100km
• Safety: Not tested
• Warranty: 7yr unlimited; 8yr/200,000km battery

Lexus LM 500h

Not content to let Chinese rivals have the luxury people mover segment to themselves, Lexus has its own polished player in the shape of the seven-seat LM 350h and four-seat LM 500h.

While a four-seat luxury people mover might sound like an oxymoron, the LM 500h compensates for its lack of pews with a luxury fitout.

Pricing for the more affordable seven-seat LM 350h starts from $163,520 for the front-wheel drive variant powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid mustering 184kW.

Stepping up to the all-wheel drive version with the same powertrain raises the bar to $168,520.

But it’s the LM 500h that’s the showstopper, with its reclining rear ‘VIP throne’ seats, a 48-inch rear
widescreen display, and a 14-litre refrigerator.

Positioned as a ‘super-luxury limousine’, the all-wheel drive 500h even features an automatic glass partition that separates the cockpit from the cabin. The LM 500h’s hefty $223,520 (MRLP) price tag puts it in the rarified air of exotic sports cars and premium European saloons.

• Price: $223,520 (MRLP)
• Powertrain: 2.4L turbo hybrid AWD (273kW combined)
• Battery: NiMH (288V)
• Range: 900km / 6.6L/100km
• Safety: Not tested
• Warranty: 5yr unlimited (vehicle & hybrid)

Volkswagen ID. Buzz GTX

Volkswagen looked to its back-catalogue for styling cues for its battery-electric ID. Buzz, delivering one of the best-looking vehicles in the segment.

Available in short and long wheelbase forms, the electric Kombi comes in a four-variant range that stretches from the fleet-oriented three-seat Cargo at $69,900 to the sporty seven-seat ID. Buzz GTX at $109,990.

The luxuriously appointed long-wheelbase GTX is the only dual-motor all-wheel drive variant in the otherwise single-motor rear-wheel drive range, delivering outputs of 250kW/545Nm which are enough to propel the retro-styled 2,874kg van from 0-100km/h in a brisk 6.4-seconds.

Featuring a 91kWh battery, the ID. Buzz can travel up to 450km between charges. Standard features of the distinctively styled GTX include 21-inch alloy wheels, black styling accents, and a panoramic roof with smart glass.

Electric sliding and opening side doors and a power tailgate make for easy ingress and egress to a spacious interior, expanding to 1340 litres with the third row folded and a yawning 2469 litres with both rows folded. 

• Price: $109,990 (MRLP)
• Motor: Dual electric AWD (250kW)
• Battery: 86kWh lithium-ion (NMC)
• Range: 450km / 21.2kWh/100km
• Safety: LWB not tested; SWB 5-star
• Warranty: 5yr unlimited; 8yr/160,000km battery

Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid

While it might seem like a stretch to include the long-serving Kia Carnival in this list of new people movers, the segment-leading eight-seater was the beneficiary of a major facelift in early 2024 which introduced a fresh look and new hybrid powertrain.

The introduction of a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid has been popular with families seeking thriftier fuel consumption than that offered by the alternative 3.5-litre V6 petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-
diesel engines.

The Carnival range starts from $50,570 for the entry-level S with petrol V6, going all the way to the GT-Line Hybrid at $76,630.

The hybrid powertrain is also available in cheaper S and Sport+ guise where it delivers identical outputs of 180kW/366Nm.

We like the look and fitout of the better-specified GT-Line. A spacious and versatile cabin, power-sliding doors and easy access to the third row are staples across the Carnival range, but the hybrid drivetrain’s strong performance and 5.8L/100km fuel consumption is increasingly making it the preferred powertrain for Australia’s best-selling people mover.  

• Price: $76,630 (MRLP)
• Powertrain: 1.6L turbo hybrid FWD (183kW/367Nm)
• Battery: Lithium-ion (270V)
• Range: 1,200km / 5.8L/100km
• Safety: 5 stars (2025)
• Warranty: 7yr unlimited; 7yr/150,000km components