Hyundai INSTER Australia's Most Affordable Small EV

With pricing starting from $39,000 manufacturer's list price, the INSTER significantly undercuts established competitors like the Fiat 500e and Mini Cooper E in the premium small EV segment.

Defining "Small EV": Inster vs. Competitors

There have been a few questions from readers about my saying the Inster is the most affordable small EV in Australia.

The key word in that sentence is small. In my view a small EV is much less than 4m long. What would called an A segment car in the UK or at most a Super Mini (small end of B segment).

As an example I'm a big fan of the MG4 EV, bought one with my own money and am very happy with the purchase.

However at 4.287m long , 1.836m wide the MG4 is much longer (roughly 50cm) and wider (22cm) than the Inster which is 3.825m long, 1.61m wide.

They are not in the same class of car . A Fiat 500e, Mini Cooper or Inster are small. An MG4 is not, it's more medium size.

Zecar's Neerav Bhatt will be attending the Australian press launch and media test drive event in the coming days. He recently spotted several Inster production test cars in Sydney.

INSTER: Design and Dimensions

The Korean automaker describes the INSTER as its first electric light SUV, combining compact dimensions with SUV-style design elements. At 3,825mm in length and 1,610mm in width, the vehicle maintains a manageable footprint while offering distinctive styling features including round pixel LED headlamps, parametric pixel graphics, and a muscular appearance with black cladding and skid plates.

Powertrain Options and Performance

INSTER is available in three variants across two battery configurations.

The entry-level Standard Range model features a 42kWh battery paired with a 71.1kW electric motor, delivering up to 327km of WLTP-rated range.

The Extended Range variant upgrades to a 49kWh battery and 84.5kW motor, extending range to 360km.

The adventure-focused INSTER Cross variant, available exclusively with the extended-range powertrain, adds outdoor-oriented styling and equipment.

All variants feature front-wheel drive through a single-speed reduction gear system.

Both powertrains produce identical torque output of 147Nm, with the Standard Range achieving 0-100km/h in 11.7 seconds and the Extended Range completing the sprint in 10.6 seconds.

Charging and Battery

Charging capabilities include a 10.5kW onboard AC charger across all variants, enabling charging from 10 to 100 percent in approximately four hours for the Standard Range and four hours 35 minutes for the Extended Range.

DC fast charging allows 10-80 percent charging in 30 minutes for both battery options at upto 85.3kW charge rate on a 120kW charger.

Interior and Technology

The interior features dual 10.25-inch displays comprising a digital instrument cluster and multimedia touchscreen with built-in navigation.

Standard equipment includes Hyundai's Bluelink connected car services, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless charging, and an extensive SmartSense safety suite.

The cabin utilizes a bench-style front seating arrangement with sliding and reclining 50:50 split-fold rear seats to maximize interior flexibility.

INSTER Cross distinguishes itself with bio-artificial leather-appointed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and ambient lighting. It also includes additional safety features such as Blind-Spot View Monitor and Surround View Monitor camera systems.

An exclusive Roof Basket Option Pack is available for this variant, offering additional cargo carrying capability.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment across the range includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5 with junction turning capability, Highway Driving Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Lane Following Assist, and Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go functionality.

The vehicle also features Vehicle-to-Load capability, allowing owners to power external devices using the car's battery.

Pricing and Value Proposition

With on-road costs included, pricing starts at $43,284.06 for the Standard Range, $46,889.06 for the Extended Range, and $49,504.06 for the top-specification Cross variant.

The pricing structure appears strategically designed to push buyers toward either the entry-level model or the flagship Cross version.

The Extended Range variant occupies an awkward middle position, offering only 33km of additional range over the base model while lacking the premium features that justify the Cross's price premium.

For just $2,615 more than the Extended Range, the Cross variant adds significant value with features including a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and advanced safety technology such as Surround View Monitor with 360-degree camera coverage and Blind-Spot View Monitor.

This pricing strategy effectively makes the Extended Range appear superfluous, with buyers likely to choose either the affordable base model or step up to the fully-equipped Cross for the complete premium experience.

Warranty and Connected Services

The INSTER is covered by Hyundai's standard 5-year unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and 8-year/160,000km high-voltage battery warranty.

A complimentary 5-year Bluelink connected services subscription is included with each vehicle.

Hyundai's Vision for the INSTER

Hyundai Motor Company Australia CEO Don Romano described the INSTER as offering "a compelling package for customers seeking an attainable, feature-packed compact electric vehicle, making it a versatile choice for both city commuters and those looking to explore beyond urban limits."

Conclusion: A New Entry-Level EV for Australia

The launch represents Hyundai's strategy to make electric vehicle ownership more accessible in the Australian market, with the INSTER serving as the brand's entry-level EV offering while maintaining the technology and feature content typical of more expensive electric vehicles.