Hyundai has confirmed the affordable Inster electric car will arrive in Australia before the end of 2024.
Revealed at the Busan motor show, the Inster is an electric take on the Korean-exclusive Hyundai Casper city car. It’s being offered internationally as the company aims to offer a broader range of mobility solutions.
The Inster is due to arrive in Australia before the end of 2024, but it’s yet to announce pricing and local-specific features.
In Europe, Hyundai is targeting price below €25,000 – equivalent to less than $40,000 in Australia.
Based on a petrol platform, the Inster packs lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries. A 42kWh pack is available for Standard variants, while the Long Range gets a 49kWh upgrade.
There are different electric motors, estimated driving range figures, and charge times for the Inster’s two variants, all of which are detailed below.
| Hyundai Inster Standard | Hyundai Inster Long Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 71.1kW | 84.5kW |
| Torque | 147Nm | 147Nm |
| Acceleration time (0-100km/h) | 11.7 seconds | 10.6 seconds |
| Top speed | 140km/h | 150km/h |
| Battery capacity | 42kWh | 49kWh |
| System voltage | 266V | 310V |
| Projected driving range | More than 300km | 355km (with 15-inch wheels) |
| Max. AC charging speed | 11kW | 11kW |
| AC charge time (16A) | 4 hours | 4 hours, 35 minutes |
| Max. DC charging speed | 120kW | 120kW |
| DC charge time (10 to 80 per cents) | 30 minutes | 30 minutes |
In some regions, a battery heating system and heat pump will be available as optional equipment to maximise range and cut charge times.
The Hyundai Inster has also been equipped with both external and internal vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.
Measuring 3825mm long, 1610mm wide and 1575mm high while riding on a 2580mm wheelbase, the Inster is 215mm shorter between the bumpers, 160mm narrower and sits 17mm lower than a Hyundai Venue – despite its wheelbase being 60mm longer.
Front-row occupants are provided with 1028mm of head room (or 987mm to the sunroof) while rear-seat passengers get 982mm from the base to the roof. Legroom stands at 1050mm and 885mm for the front and rear, respectively.
In addition to the walk-through first row, all seats fold flat to provide ample sleeping room if required.
It has a smaller boot than the Venue with its 355L capacity, capable of holding 280 litres – though the sliding second-row seats expand this to 351 litres.
Despite being small, the Inster is big on features inside and out.
While 15-inch steel or alloy wheels are standard, some markets will get the pictured 17-inch alloys, as well as LED projector headlights to complement the standard-fit LED daytime running lights, pixel-graphic indicators and tail lights.
Depending on the market, the Inster will be offered in a nine paint finishes:
- Atlas White (available with black roof)
- Tomboy Khaki (available with black roof)
- Bijarim Khaki Matte
- Unbleached Ivory
- Sienna Orange Metallic (available with black roof)
- Aero Silver Matte (available with black roof)
- Dusk Blue Matte
- Abyss Black Pearl
- Buttercream Yellow Pearl
Hyundai has been conscious to make the Inster a low environmental-impact vehicle from the second it rolls down the production line, which includes the use of recycled paint for its black high-gloss exterior mouldings to PET materials inside the cabin.
Standard features inside include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, which includes navigation and provides a wireless smartphone charging dock for those who use mirroring services.
The pixel theme continues inside the cabin, which can additionally be optioned with a front bench seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a choice of black or Khaki Brown and Newtro Beige two-tone cloth trim.
Additional standard equipment includes 64-colour ambient LED lighting, a sunroof, and digital key (NFC) accessibility.
There’s also a high level of standard safety equipment, including:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Surround-view camera
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane centring
- Blind-spot assist
- Rear-cross traffic assist
- Safe exit warning
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- Highway driving assist
- Intelligent speed limit assist
- Driver attention warning
- High beam assist
- Leading vehicle departure alert
- Rear occupant alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
More details including the Hyundai Inster’s Australian price and specifications will be announced closer to its local launch.
MORE: Everything Hyundai
