Premium minivans are quite niche vehicles, but their niche is much wider than it might seem. These are not only corporate fleets for hotels and other businesses, but also personal transport for business people who have discovered that a minivan is far more convenient than a sedan. There are also affluent buyers with large families who value comfort in travel and daily commutes. And since all these buyers haven't disappeared, the demand for luxury minivans still exists. So what can today's market offer in response? Here are the top five options.
Business loves proven options and a conservative approach. Private buyers, on the other hand, usually seek the latest technological solutions. Automakers take the interests of both into account, so the market offers options for every taste.
A clear example of a conservative approach is the JAC RF8. This impressive minivan, 5.2 meters long with a wheelbase of 3.1 meters, relies on classic technology without any electric additions. The two-liter turbocharged engine with direct injection delivers 236 hp and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission – the "gold standard" powertrain for a business audience. The second row here is, of course, for the main passengers, offering them ottomans, ventilation, heating, massage, longitudinal adjustment, adjustable armrests, fold-down tables, and many other comfort options. The three-zone climate control allows individual temperature settings for passengers in the main cabin. And behind the third-row seats, there is plenty of space for a large set of suitcases: 700 liters is the standard, not maximum, trunk volume, which can be increased to 2500 liters if needed. Moreover, GAC doesn't make you think about choosing a trim level: there is only one, the fully equipped Flagship, for 5,074,000 rubles.
One of the representatives of the progressive school in the minivan class is the Wey 80. It offers much more impressive figures, not only in the "power" and "torque" columns. For instance, there are two options for length and wheelbase: in the Premium version, these are 5045 mm and 3085 mm respectively, while the Premium Lounge offers an extended wheelbase of 3275 mm and an impressive length of 5045 mm. Regardless of dimensions, the Wey is a series hybrid, where a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 152 hp operates as a generator, charging the battery. The driving force comes from two electric motors with a total power of 487 hp, delivering 762 Nm of torque and accelerating this massive minivan to 100 km/h in under 6 seconds. In terms of equipment, the Wey offers exactly that variability of choice: it can be a vehicle for a corporate fleet or a large family, or it can be a luxurious mobile office for a successful businessman. The Premium version is a seven-seater, richly equipped with three-zone climate control, air ionization, heated and ventilated second-row seats, which also feature a "zero gravity" mode. In the Premium Lounge version, the third row also gets two individual seats with heating, ventilation, and electric adjustments, while the second row features aviation seats with massage, memory settings, ottomans, and other options. The interior here is upholstered in Nappa leather, and the premium audio system boasts 20 speakers. You need to pay 7.2 million rubles for the Premium trim, while the Premium Lounge will cost 8.8 million.
For those who want even more personal space in the cabin, the market offers the GAC M8. It combines traditional technology with an interesting interior configuration. There is one engine here, a 2-liter gasoline unit with 231 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed Aisin automatic transmission. The length and wheelbase are not record-breaking: 5212 mm and 3070 mm respectively. But the M8's special feature is that it allows you to choose between seven-seat and four-seat layouts. In the first option, it's a traditional minivan with three rows of seats, where the third row is a three-seater, and the second row has individual seats. The Lounge version, however, dedicates all the rear space to two VIP passengers. Their cabin is separated from the driver by a sliding partition with a 34-inch TV, and at their disposal are not only electric drives, ventilation, massage, ottomans, and fold-down tables, but also a "starry sky" ceiling, a mini-bar, wireless chargers, and much more. Prices for the seven-seat versions start at 6.25 million rubles, while the Lounge version is priced at 8 million rubles before discounts.
Voyah Dream
Buyers expecting maximum driving comfort from a luxury minivan want to see air suspension on the equipment list. And it is available, for example, in the Voyah Dream, which, in addition to that, offers impressive power and several powertrain options. The minivan exists as a series hybrid: this version has 422 hp and 620 Nm of torque. The dynamics are also incredible by class standards: 5.9 seconds to 100 km/h. The 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 143 hp charges the battery, similar to the Wey 80. The fully electric modification offers 435 hp, while the parallel hybrid offers 394 hp, but with the ability to use the gasoline engine to drive the wheels. The Dream's interior is strictly seven-seat, but the 5.3-meter length combined with a 3.2-meter wheelbase ensures that no one will feel cramped. And the equipment list is equally huge: the base version includes three-zone climate control with air ionization and fragrance, second-row seats with ottomans, ventilation, and massage, a premium audio system, ambient interior lighting, and much more. Prices for the Voyah need to be confirmed individually, and offers for available cars start at 6.5 million rubles.
Many expect not only outstanding comfort and impressive characteristics from a premium business van, but also truly premium status. And here, the undisputed leader can be considered the Hongqi HQ9, because this brand became known primarily as a manufacturer of cars for China's top officials. Now, a car with a red flag on the hood can be purchased freely. The Hongqi is unmistakably recognizable at first glance thanks to its massive "waterfall" radiator grille and that very red flag cascading from the hood. It is precisely because of its appearance that the Hongqi is often chosen not only as a car but also as an image, sometimes even in movies: it recently appeared in the new series "Cold." On screen, it emphasized willpower, and on the set, it represented trust in the brand's status.
The large minivan, 5.2 meters long, has a wheelbase of 3.2 meters – one of the largest in its class. What does this mean? First and foremost, that the second row will be spacious regardless of whether there are passengers in the third row. Yes, the Hongqi only offers a practical three-row layout, but it ensures maximum comfort for passengers in the captain's chairs.
The technology in the HQ9 comes from the "conservative" cohort. There are no hybrid additions here; the sole source of energy is a two-liter turbo engine producing an impressive 245 horsepower. The transmission, of course, is a hydromechanical automatic, with 8 speeds and Japanese origins. Thanks to the powerful engine, the Hongqi, while not surprising with its acceleration dynamics like hybrid models, still instills confidence, reaching 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The HQ9 has two trim levels: very rich and ultimate. The differences lie in details that many wouldn't even think of, so extensive is the list of standard equipment. The climate control here is, of course, three-zone, with an air quality sensor and ionization. Electric drives are available even for the third-row seats, and the second row features massage and ottomans. A high-quality Dynaudio audio system with 12 speakers is also standard. What are the differences in the top-tier Business trim? In small but important details, such as sound-insulating glass, sliding side window curtains, an electrically adjustable armrest, wireless charging for second-row passengers, and a massage with a special "hot stones" mode.
How much do you need to pay for these "extras"? Relatively little by premium standards: if the Deluxe version costs 6,650,000 rubles, the Business version costs 7,350,000 rubles. And to understand whether the surcharge is justified for you personally, it's best to get acquainted with the car at an official dealer, such as Major Auto. A quarter-hour of "hot stones" massage with the curtains closed – and the question will be settled once and for all.
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