02-05-2025
Hyundai's Inster is a gamechanger for the brand with a starting price of less than €19k
Hyundai's latest is a small wonder that comes in at a very small price, starting at less than €19k
Hyundai's Inster has plenty of legroom for a small city car, but the space gained for passengers is sacrificed in the boot
When it comes to electric city cars you won't find anything slicker than Hyundai's new amazing Inster.
The only complaint I have is the fact that Hyundai Ireland gave me a bright yellow-coloured model to test drive.
I mean the only thing it was missing were four red wheel arches and I really would have looked like Noddy driving around Toytown.
However, after getting over the initial hue-miliation everything else about the little Inster got my seal of approval.
Inside the Hyundai Inster
On the outside, it is fair to say that the little city car is extremely quirky to look at, although it may not tickle everyone's tastebuds.
But I think it's kind of funky for a city car. I don't know if it was the Fyffes banana colour or my ugly mush, but it certainly turned heads during my week-long test drive.
The Inster's exterior looks are loosely based on a Hyundai stablemate called the Casper. Yes, like me, you won't have ever heard of it as it is only sold in Korea in petrol-powered form.
Up front, the Hyundai Inster features LED daytime running light signature and pixel-graphic turn signals, tail lamp and bumpers.
Offered as an option, if you really want to push the boat out, are LED projection headlamps and a two-tone exterior with a contrasting black roof.
Elsewhere, either 15-inch steel with wheel covers, 15-inch alloys or 17-inch alloy wheels are offered depending on specification.
But it was the Inster's inside that impressed me the most – especially how much room there is on offer for a small, city car.
I actually couldn't believe how much legroom there was on offer for the rear-seat passengers. I mean, I have been in some luxurious executive cars that haven't got anywhere near it.
Inside the Hyundai Inster
The downside to that though is that the passenger space is obviously taken from the boot space and you certainly won't be fitting two 20kg bags for your summer holidays.
However, if you are not towing a couple of rugrats around, the rear two (yes there is no third seat) can be folded offering enough room for even an Ikea run.
Inside, Inster provides enhanced technology and convenience with a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment touch-screen with navigation and a wireless charging dock that forms part of a compact centre console designed to create a greater sense of spaciousness.
Access
The interior also offers versatility and spaciousness, with the front row seating providing walk-through access.
All seats can be folded flat – including the driver's seat – for increased flexibility.
A front bench seat option and heated front seats and steering wheel are also available.
The second-row seats are split 50/50 and slide and recline.
On the road, the new Hyundai Inster is extremely impressive too.
For a small, city car the range is excellent with the entry-level model offering a claimed driving range of more than 300km from its 42kWh pack and 355km from the extended 49kWh one.
Now down to the best bit. Hyundai Ireland has absolutely nailed this one with a starting price of less than €19k.
I mean, you would spend close to that for a two-week family trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida these days.
I haven't had a chance to drive the Renault 5 yet, which my colleague has reviewed on the opposite page, but this little Hyundai Inster is top of the (EV) range in my eyes so far this year.
TECH SPEC
MODEL: Hyundai Inster 49kWh PRICING: Inster from €18,995 inc. incentives, €21,995 as tested POWERTRAIN: electric – 84.5kW electric motor, lithium-ion battery of 49kWh usable energy capacity RANGE: 369km (claimed)
