People-movers benefit from scrunchie return

It is no coincidence that when Balenciaga features the 1980s inspired scrunchie on their runways, we find Kia, Honda and Citroen refreshing their people-movers.

Historically, they’ve travelled a similar road (the one less travelled) but now they’re both on the cusp of a renaissance!

The 1980s was ground zero for the hair scrunchie phenomenon and a breeding ground for fashion faux pas including acid wash jeans, stirrup pants and popped collars – many of which can be witnessed in the Carsales HQ to this day.

This dicey period also delivered a variety of average multi-person multi-purpose cars that would scar the people-mover segment for decades. Are we the only ones who feel slightly nauseous when we think about the [mildly redeemed] Toyota Tarago , Mitsubishi Delica (Express or Starwagon), Mazda Bongo (E-Series) and Ford Spectron (Econovan)

Pay the price of entry and you had to all but conceded to a life less interesting.

However, time, patience and fresh design (or a Bedazzler) has a way of transforming things. Moreover, affordable and versatile never goes out of style.

Jump to 2018 and the people-mover is carving a cult-like following among Australia’s prolific breeders and the carpool obsessed alike.

And from a consumer perspective, we’ve never had it better as car-makers the world over look to secure a piece of the family-friendly budget.

In Australia, 2017 showed a 5.3% increase in people-mover sales, the Kia Carnival snaring 46.7% of that market. Now, sales to the end of June 2018 are also up by 14.8%. That’s an upward trend if we’ve ever seen one.

For me, my new found appreciation of functionality started with a stint in the Pope-mobile style Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. A nation synonymous with style, this French auto manufacturer starts on the front foot. And Citroen brings a healthy dose of design personality to an often vanilla-based segment. Indeed, the Grand Picasso’s unique front cabin will appeal to aspiring fashionistas who shun the mainstream for a more avant-garde style, its light-filled cabin also proving ideal for in car selfies.

The third-generation Kia Carnival was the straw that broke the camel’s back – and my street cred.

But I’m owning it... The key here is the Euro styling paired with an enticingly voluminous and flexible cabin seating up to eight passengers. Comfortably!

The Zara of the motoring world, this manufacturer’s aesthetic has been strongly influenced by its European rivals.

Good design nonetheless, the Kia Carnival brings high street style to the people (and lots of them) during their delicate ‘transition vehicle’ stage.

The scrunchie reincarnated is the accessory that keeps on giving; it’s both versatile and functional, just like the born again people-mover.

Performing an important dual role with few compromises (Instagram fame and cornering prowess aside) -- and with the ability to cart a maximum load of people and their gear with style and comfort -- we predict nothing short of an uprising in the people-mover segment as children of the 80s embrace elastic assisted up-dos and electric sliding doors.

And if you’re not convinced by our forecast, remember the Rihanna rule: everything is ugly until Rihanna says it is not.

The Barbadian slashie is often seen making a fashionable exit through the electric slider of a Mercedes-Benz van.

Case (and door) closed.