Already shaking up the local market with its sharply priced and well-equipped SUVs, dual-cab utes, and light-commercial van models, LDV is expanding its Australian line-up with the addition of the Mifa people mover.
Confirmed for a November arrival, the Mifa will be offered in seven- and eight-seat versions across three model grades – Mode, Executive and Luxe.
Powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, the Mifa sends 160kW/360Nm to the front wheels via an eight-speed (Aisin-sourced) automatic transmission.
At the same time, the pure EV Mifa 9 variant will arrive here next month, initially in seven-seat form, with an eight-seater set to follow later in 2023.
The Mifa 9 boasts a 90kWh battery for a claimed driving range of up to 440km, and needs 8.5 hours on an 11kW charger, and just 36 minutes on a DC fast-charger, to go from 20-80 per cent capacity.
Set to challenge Kia’s segment-leading Carnival and Hyundai’s second-placed Staria, the General Manager of LDV’s local operations, Dinesh Chinappa, said the Mifa “has advanced the people mover game significantly and we’re looking forward to redefining the segment that has, until now, been dominated by two brands”.
The Mifa boasts solid safety specification with active tech including front and rear AEB, adaptive cruise control, ‘Rear Collision Warning’, lane departure warning and a ‘Speed Assist System’.
LDV says details on final specification and pricing will be announced in mid-November, but confirms comfort is a priority for the new model.
Depending on variant, there is a choice of seven or eight seats, including six-way electrically adjustable ‘Captain’s Chairs’ in the first and second rows.
At close to 5.3m long, exactly 2.0m wide and just over 1.8m tall, the Mifa casts a substantial shadow, bigger in every key exterior dimension than the hugely popular Kia Carnival.
The Carnival currently captures more than 60 per cent of the Australian people mover market, with the Staria snaring 30 per cent of sales so far this year. The only other brand to cause a blip on the people mover registration chart is VW’s Multivan at eight per cent share after the exit of the once-popular Honda Odyssey.
Offered in four grades (S, Si, SLi and Platinum) with a choice of 3.5-litre petrol V6 or 2.2-litre turbo-diesel power, the eight-seat Carnival spans a $20K band between its $47,480 before on-road costs entry-point, and $67,580 flagship model. And recent reports out of South Korea suggest a plug-in hybrid version is on the way.
Although dramatically different in terms of design, the eight-seat Staria is closely related to the Carnival under the skin, also offering a choice of 3.5-litre petrol V6 or 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, this time across three grades (Staria, Elite and Highlander).
Priced to undercut its Kia cousin, the Staria kicks off at $45,740, topping out at $66,500. And if LDV’s aggressive pricing strategy across its existing passenger and commercial model lines is any indication, expect Mifa pricing to start in the region of $35K-$40K. Game on!
Keyword: LDV Aussie market onslaught continues with Mifa people mover arriving next month to challenge Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria, and there's an EV version, too!