O modest minivan – your cupholders abound!

Seats for human, cargo and hound.

With all things considered, could it actually be

that MPVs are the real MVP?

Whether you call it a people mover, a minivan or an MVP (multi-purpose vehicle), you can’t deny the appeal of a big box on wheels. People movers have long been panned as something you only buy once your family size reaches critical mass – yet we’d argue that no vehicle offers quite so much potential for so many people. The humble minivan unites the pragmatic, the creatives and the ultra-fertile.

The many purposes of people movers

The people mover, aka minivan, is a veritable Swiss Army Knife on the road. Need to pick up 10 bags of mulch in the morning and then get your band to a gig that night? The people mover handles it like a pro. Have a truckload of sullen teens to get to footy practice every week? Move over sedans and wagons – papa’s got a brand new bag, and it fits six to eight people in comfort. This thing will also easily convey all you need on holidays, including the pet beds, inflatable swan and the kitchen sink.

A people mover gives everyone space to breathe and actually enjoy the ride with minimal squabbles over the window seat. Plus, you can also convert these cavernous cabins for trade use, wheelchair access or camper setups – expanding the possibilities even further.

Where exactly did the people mover come from?

The concept of boxy passenger vans arguably goes back to the 1930s, with America’s futuristic-looking Stout Scarab. People mover sales really picked up pace in the 70s with two Chrysler models proving very popular, inspiring high sales across the 80s and 90s. The peak popularity of the people mover was perhaps around 2000, with 1.3 million sold in the US alone. Manufacturers like Renault, Honda and Toyota all built beloved large family cars that were bought en masse, and the VW Combi and the Mitsubishi Delica are still highly sought after here in Australia with cult followings.

From 2000, some buyers turned to SUVs and wagons instead. Here’s one theory why. Because they’re great for ferrying families around, people movers became closely associated with suburbia – and for a while, that meant they were considered a bit daggy. But in truth, a highly functional car never goes out of style. And with the rise of dadcore and 90s nostalgia, people movers might even be… cool again?

People movers are anything but ugly

Anyone who doubts the aesthetics of a modern people mover needs to get their eyes checked. These beautiful whales of the road glide through traffic without a skerrick of vanity, sometimes with a few battle scars, but always with a noble presence. Their boxy frames are utilitarian and unassuming: maybe even beautiful in their honesty as form follows function. Their features are ultra optimised for passenger comfort and long road trips, rather than impressing strangers on the pavement. Their big sliding doors and rear access makes it genuinely easy to load up. Sure, they might occasionally bottom out on a speed bump at full capacity – but that just helps you stay grounded.

Modern versions are also a massive step up from the 80s and 90s vintage, often with entertainment systems and improved air conditioning throughout. And electric people movers are now here too, making school drop-offs efficient in more ways than one.

Need to move people from A to B?

If the time has come to embrace your practical era and buy a minivan or people mover, there are some brilliant options to choose from. You might love the flexible Volkswagen Multivan or the adventure-ready VW Caddy (some Caddys even come with their own foldout table and chairs). Perhaps you like Australia’s classic best-selling people mover: the Kia Carnival. Or the Hyundai Staria, with its panoramic windows that give everyone a clear view. There are plenty of models to explore, so head to Carma’s used car search to find family vans for sale that are pre-cleaned, pre-scrutinised and ready to roll.

One thing’s for sure: today’s people movers are not the people movers of yore. The smallest child of the family no longer needs to suffer leg cramps and stuffy air after being relegated to the back seat. Expect better features, a smoother ride and more leg room – no matter which seat you’re in!