Hyundai teases affordable new EV – the ‘Inster’

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Hyundai has confirmed the name and teased the reveal of its new “sub-compact” city EV, the ‘Inster’, which is expected to make its way to Australian showrooms.

To be revealed in full at the Busan International Mobility Show in Korea at the end of June, Hyundai says its new electric model – which is widely expected to be its most affordable electric car – will target a maximum range of 355km WLTP. 

While the full reveal is still a few weeks away, and while the vehicle hasn’t yet been formally confirmed for Australia, teaser images revealed by the brand give us our first official glimpse as to what we can expect.

A compact SUV profile is visible, as well as a look at the model’s LED daytime running lights, and – common to all Hyundai EVs –  the brand’s pixel-styling motif as part of the Inster’s front and rear lights, too. 

Casper-based EV expected to be brand’s smallest vehicle

Hyundai’s plans to introduce a new small EV have widely been reported overseas, with the electric model to be based on the current Korean-only petrol-powered Casper that has been on sale there since 2021.

While the teaser images reflect clear similarities with the petrol-powered Casper, Hyundai has taken a different approach with the vehicle’s nomenclature, saying that the ‘Inster’ name is derived from the words “intimate” and “innovative”.

Referred to by Hyundai as an ‘A-Segment’ vehicle, that puts the Inster in a similar class to other small cars such the Kia Picanto, Fiat 500 and Hyundai i10, which isn’t sold in Australia.

The current petrol-powered Korean version of the Casper has a length of 3595mm, making a notably smaller footprint compared to cars such as the Hyundai i20, Toyota Yaris and MG3, which technically sit in the larger b-segment.

The same can be said for Hyundai’s current most affordable vehicle in Australia, the Venue small SUV, which has a length of 4040mm.

Inster to lower cost of entry to Hyundai EVs

A smaller EV will no doubt allow Hyundai to bring the cost of entry down on its electric car lineup, with the Kona small SUV – currently the brand’s most affordable EV – priced from $54,000 before on-road costs.

With competition intensifying in the electric vehicle market thanks to an influx of affordable Chinese models, the Inster will be Hyundai’s best chance yet at competing with the sub-$40,000 asking prices for vehicles such as the MG4, BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora. 

The Busan International Mobility Show officially opens on June 28th, with a press day scheduled for June 27th, when the Inster will be fully unveiled.