Hyundai Inster Review 2024

New automotive technology tends to debut in expensive cars, gradually trickling down into the more affordable end of the market as it matures. We’re not quite there yet with electric cars, in that they’re still pricey compared with petrol-engined alternatives but they are becoming cheaper, as evidenced by the intriguing Hyundai Inster.

Slightly longer, narrower and taller than the petrol-sipping Hyundai i10 that remains on sale, the four-seater, five-door Inster has a chunkier, SUV vibe about its distinctive styling that’s likely to appeal to many buyers. In fact, an even more rugged-looking version, the Hyundai Inster Cross, will go on sale during 2025, although it will remain front-wheel drive.

Size-wise, the Inster’s more compact than the recently launched Citroen e-C3, yet with the starting price of £23,495 the Hyundai’s also £1500 more expensive. Countering that, the 42kWh-batteried Standard Range Inster has a claimed WLTP Combined range of 203 miles, versus the e-C3’s 199-mile range with its 44kWh battery.

Other alternatives are cheaper still, although the comparisons are hardly equal. For instance, the Dacia Spring can be had for as little as £14,995 but it’s even dinkier than the Inster with a tiny 26.8kWh battery giving a Combined range of 140 miles.

It’s a similar story with the upcoming Leapmotor T03 — another diminutive electric hatchback from a brand new to the UK. Its 37.5kWh battery provides a claimed range of 165 miles but its £15,995 price tag is bound to attract attention.

However, against three-door choices such as the Fiat 500 Electric and the box-fresh MINI Cooper Electric, the Hyundai Inster feels like a much better value proposition, both in terms of driving range and price.

There are more strings to the Hyundai Inster’s bow than its range and distinctive styling, not least its tech-laden interior that majors on practical touches and being well-assembled. Take the 50:50 split/folding rear seat, where on more expensive models both sides can recline as well as slide back and forth by 16cm to maximise legroom or boot space.

In passenger-focused mode, the boot’s capacity is 238 litres but slid forwards — and still useable by kids in car seats — that expands to 351 litres. When folded, the back seats lie almost flat allowing the 1059-litre volume to be taken advantage of, while for added flexibility both front seats can be folded forwards to accommodate long loads.

Without the trick rear seats, the entry-level Hyundai Inster’s boot is 280 litres when four passengers are on-board.

By mounting the gear lever on the steering column and mounting the dashboard controls high, there’s no centre console which allows those sat in the front to get in and out easily from either side of the car. Making this even easier, the Inster’s driver’s seat is extended across to almost touch the passenger seat, with a pair of plastic cupholders inset into the seat fabric.

Two Hyundai Inster trim levels are available from the outset, called 01 and 02. The entry-level Inster 01 is hardly basic, with 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a leather steering wheel, climate control, electric windows, automatic lights and wipers, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera and a heat pump for the battery.

Jumping up to the Inster 02 nets you those sliding rear seats, 17-inch alloys, roof rails, ambient interior lighting, LED headlights, a wireless smartphone charging pad, heated front seats and steering wheel, darkened rear privacy glass and parking sensors front and rear.

There’s a choice of two battery and motor combinations for the Hyundai Inster, with the aforementioned Standard Range 42kWh version only available on 01 specification. It has a 97PS motor under the bonnet providing a 0-62mph time of 11.7 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 87mph. With its 73kW on-board DC charger, a 10%-80% recharge takes 30 minutes.

Available in both 01 and 02 trims, the Hyundai Inster Long Range’s battery is only a little larger at 49kWh, although it’s paired with a sprightlier 115PS motor. Still governed, the top speed’s increased to 93mph while the 0-62mph benchmark drops to 10.6 seconds.

A 10%-80% recharge still takes 30 minutes as the on-board DC charger can accept a flow rate of 85kW. On its smaller wheels, the Inster Long Range 01 has a Combined range of 229 miles, with the 02’s bigger rims trimming that down to 223 miles.

Available to order since October 2024, first Hyundai Inster customer deliveries are expected either side of the New Year.