Skip to main content
A Hyundai Sonata on display at an auto show

If Hyundai Made a Minivan I’d Buy it… Oh, Wait

This week I’ve been driving the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited. It’s roomy and immensely comfortable. The hybrid system makes for seldom trips in this Hyundai sedan to the fuel pump. But it’s no minivan. Overall, my experience of the Sonata has been overwhelmingly positive. I don’t love the way it looks, although the Oxford …

This week I’ve been driving the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited. It’s roomy and immensely comfortable. The hybrid system makes for seldom trips in this Hyundai sedan to the fuel pump. But it’s no minivan.

the new Hyundai Custo minivan overseas
Hyundai Custo | CarBuzz

Overall, my experience of the Sonata has been overwhelmingly positive. I don’t love the way it looks, although the Oxford Blue paint color is really nice. For a passenger car designed for long commutes, this one ticks all the boxes. But it has me thinking. Why haven’t the talented folks over at Hyundai designed a minivan yet? Wait. They have. We just don’t get it in the U.S. yet.

Hyundai used to sell a minivan called the Hyundai Entourage. It was little else other than a rebadged Kia Sedona. It looks like Hyundai has actually already designed a new minivan. It’s not a fresh Entourage model or a carbon copy of a Kia Sedona with Hyundai badging, either.

“Hyundai’s new minivan is reportedly called the Custo and will have nothing in common with the new Kia Carnival.”

CarBuzz.com

The Hyundai minivan of my dreams

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited that I’m in this week has all the makings of a perfect minivan platform. In fact, with the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna minivan options both offering a hybrid powertrain, a hybrid minivan coming from a prominent brand like Hyundai would absolutely make sense.

So where is it? China, that’s where. CarBuzz even reports that it shares a lot with the Sonata. Except it will have more rugged looks an unique headlights that set it apart from the Hyundai crossovers.

Hyundai shows off their 2020 Sonata Hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | Scott Olson/Getty Images

I get that with all the crossover SUV options out there for families adding more minivans to the segment isn’t exactly imperative. However, I will say that after driving the Hyundai Sonata if Hyundai made a minivan I’d probably go buy one. Tomorrow. According to CarBuzz, the new Hyundai minivan is releasing overseas and hasn’t made it to U.S. soil. In fact, we aren’t sure if it ever will. Womp womp. I guess I’ll just keep dreaming.

If there was an option for a hybrid powertrain in the Hyundai minivan, I’d be even more compelled to go get in one and drive it home for good. I’m an auto enthusiast, yes, but I’m a van addict. There are very few cars out there that bring me to dreaming about trading in my minivan. I’d hit the off-grid warrior lifestyle in one of our Mercedes-Benz Sprinters in a heartbeat. This make-believe Hyundai minivan definitely has me fantasizing hard.

The 2022 Kia Sedona Carnival just isn’t enough––I want more!

I am, in fact, aware that there’s a Kia minivan on the market called the 2022 Kia Sedona Carnival. The new Kia Sedona Carnival is one I’m looking forward to testing, actually. But there’s not a hybrid option yet. In my Hyundai minivan dreams, there’s already a hybrid powertrain available.

In fact, after driving this 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited I’m a bit attached to the idea of a Hyundai minivan. Now that we know about the Hyundai Custo in China, we are really wishing that it would make its way to U.S. soil.

Related

What Engine Does the 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor Have?