Few legacy automakers have embraced the electric vehicle transition as much, or as quickly, as the Hyundai Motor Group. Across the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands, the South Korean conglomerate has released a slew of compelling EVs that show just how serious it is about electrification.
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Many of the new electric cars and crossovers being released by Hyundai are built on EV-only architectures, but the Inster is a little different. Rather than being based on the E-GMP platform, as seen in the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, it is an electric version of the Hyundai Casper sold in South Korea, utilizing the more basic Hyundai-Kia K1 platform.
The Inster also happens to be the smallest EV in Hyundai’s current model range, aiming to rival vehicles from China like the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora, and MG 4, as well as the new Renault 5. This is a hotly contested segment, so to compete, it had better be good.
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Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Prices and Rivals
In Australia, prices for the Inster kick off from AU$39,000 (roughly $26,000) before on-road costs for the basic Standard Range model we tested. But, once you factor in fees, this price climbs to AU$43,646 ($29,000). Hyundai also sells the Inster with an Extended Range battery pack, starting at AU$42,500 ($28,300) before fees, and in Inster Cross guise, kicking off from AU$45,000 ($30,000).
For a vehicle this small, these are some high prices. The Inster starts at roughly AU$6,000 ($4,000) more than the most basic GWM Ora Standard Range and is AU$3,000 ($2,000) pricier than the MG 4 Excite 51. It’s also roughly AU$9,000 ($6,000) more than the entry-level BYD Dolphin. Additionally, it’s slightly more expensive than the two-door Fiat 500e, starting at AU$38,990 ($26,000). However, when first launched, the 500e did start at AU$52,500 ($35,000), but slow sales forced Fiat to slash its price tag aggressively.
So, if you’re shopping for an Inster, what do you get for your money? For starters, the basic model has a compact 42 kWh battery while the Extended Range model boasts a larger 49 kWh pack. Hyundai quotes a driving range of 327 km (203 miles) on the WLTP cycle for the 42 kWh version and 360 km (224 miles) for the 49 kWh model.
Regardless of which battery pack is selected, all versions have a same front-mounted electric motor. The base model produces 95 hp (71 kW) and 147 Nm (108 lb-ft) of torque. while the flagship version has 84.5 kW (113 hp) and 147 Nm (108 lb-ft).
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Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
A Spacious Cabin?
I didn’t know what to expect when approaching my week of testing the Inster. What immediately impressed me the most was the quirky interior, and more importantly, the incredibly clever packaging that, despite the compact dimensions, results in an extremely spacious cabin.
The Inster lacks the single widescreen display of other Hyundai products, instead opting for a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment display perched on top of the dashboard. While the screens are a little outdated, the carmaker has retained a dedicated manual control panel for the climate control, including lovely rocker switches for the temperature and fan speed adjustments.
Found beneath the HAC controls is a wireless smartphone charger and a flat floor. While the Inster is very short and very narrow, it sits quite tall. Even though I’m 6’2”, the high roof meant I had roughly three inches of headroom. There was plenty of legroom at the front too.
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Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
What’s not so nice is that because of the car’s compact size, there’s no room for a center console between the front seats. Instead, there’s simply a pair of cupholders and an armrest that can fold down, much like an old Nissan Micra. Additionally, soft-touch materials are pretty much non-existent on the door panels and dashboard, certainly cheapening the overall feeling of the cabin. Given the price point, it’d be nice to see some nicer materials throughout.
The clever design of the Inster is most apparent in the second row. While there are only two seats back there, they can slide back and forward. With the rear seats positioned as far back as possible, I had almost five full inches of legroom with the driver’s seat in my preferred position. That’s roughly on par with the rear legroom you’ll find in an Ioniq 5, despite the Inster’s much smaller footprint.
Read: Hyundai’s Baby EV Gets Adventure-Ready With New Inster Cross
Additionally, the mini crossover’s rear seats have a similar hinge design to the ‘Magic Seats’ found in several Hondas, allowing them to hinge in the middle and fold completely flat. What’s more, even the front passenger seat has been designed to fold flat, should you need even more storage space.
Unsurprisingly, the generous amounts of legroom in the rear impact rear cargo space. Hyundai quotes 280 liters (9.8 cubic feet) of space in the rear, but I suspect that’s with the rear seats slid as far forward as possible. Slide them back, and the cargo space is reduced. However, if you’re carrying large items, the capacity increases to 1,059 liters (37.4 cubic feet) if the seats are folded away.
Photos Brad Anderson / Carscoops
Small Car Charm
While the Inster may technically be a crossover, it drives and feels much like a tiny city car, similar to a Fiat 500. You sit quite high, and the view out is excellent thanks to the generously sized windows.
The steering is light and precise, ensuring the Inster is easy to place on the road. Depending on the configuration, it can weigh as little as 1,305 kg (2,877 lbs), which is light by modern standards, particularly for a car that comfortably accommodates four adults. It also has a tight turning circle of just 10.6 meters (34.7 feet), and while that’s not quite as good as the Fiat 500’s, it’s enough to ensure the Inster is incredibly easy to navigate through tight roads and carparks. It also makes doing U-turns a breeze.
As with most other EVs from Hyundai, the Inster includes paddle shifters behind the steering wheel to adjust the regenerative braking. There are four different settings on offer, including a one-pedal driving mode, which I left the car in for most of the time I had it.
Efficiency is good, but it’s not excellent. Hyundai quotes 14.3 kWh/100 km for the Standard Range. I managed to beat this during my time with it, averaging 13.9 kWh/100 km. Interestingly, the Kia Niro EV I tested two years ago, despite being much larger and heavier, averaged 13.5 kWh/100 km.
The charging supported by the Inster also cannot hold a candle to many other EVs from Hyundai’s portfolio. It can support peak charging speeds of 120 kW, meaning it will take 30 minutes to charge from 10-80 percent, which is quite a long time for a tiny 42 kWh pack. Plugged into a 50 kW DC charger, it’ll take 58 minutes from 10-80 percent.
The quoted range of 327 km (203 miles) for the Standard Range is certainly achievable in the real world, but I did have to charge the car overnight in my garage three times just to ensure I had enough range for my driving the following day. Fortunately, the Inster comes standard with a home charger that plugs directly into a standard household socket.
Given that the Inster has to lug around a heavy battery pack, it comes as no surprise that the ride is slightly firmer than you’d expect from an ICE-powered crossover similar in size. But, for everyday driving duties, it’s acceptable, even though I’d like it to be a little softer.
Verdict
Competing with new and cheap EVs from China is a tough ask for any legacy brand. These new entrants to the market have forced brands like Hyundai to step up their game, attempting to build cars that are innovative, appealing, and well-priced. The Inster ticks those first two boxes.
However, it is expensive. Not only is the Inster pricier than most of its competitors, but the Standard Range is roughly AU$11,000 ($7,300) more expensive than the larger, ICE-powered Venue. This will limit its appeal, likely only being considered by those with their minds set on an EV regardless of price, rather than the large contingent of buyers simply looking for the best value for money car to get from A to B.
Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops
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