Hyundai unveils its Inster small electric SUV, coming to Australia in 2025

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Hyundai has unveiled its new small electric SUV, the Inster, which is set to take on the more affordable end of the EV market. 

Revealed at the Busan International Mobility Show, the Inster – which is already confirmed for an early 2025 introduction to Australia – promises two powertrain options, with up to 355km of WLTP range.

Set to arrive locally in early 2025, the Inster is set to be Hyundai Australia’s most affordable EV yet – undercutting their current entry-level EV, the Kona Electric small SUV which begins at $54,000 before on-road costs.

The Inster will launch in either standard- or long-range guise, with the standard variant using a 42kWh battery and the long-range featuring a 49kWh battery. 

Powering the Inster will be a 71kW electric motor in the base variant and a more powerful 84kW in the higher spec, both of which have 147Nm of torque. It’s understood that the new Hyundai EV will be front-wheel drive only. 

That puts the new Inster at a very similar tier to key hatchback rivals such as the BYD Dolphin and the MG4.

Further information on pricing and specification is expected in the coming months for the Australian market. 

Key details of Hyundai’s most affordable EV yet 

Hyundai has confirmed several key specifications for its new Inster, including the following:

• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster 
• 10.25-inch centre touchscreen
• Wireless charging 
• One-touch sunroof 
• 64-colour ambient lighting
• Recycled interior materials 
• Hyundai digital key
• Vehicle-to-load charging functionality 

Hyundai has also confirmed that it will bring a new Hyundai Inster Cross to market at a later stage with “a more rugged, outdoor-focused design”. 

More specification information is due in the coming months.

How safe will the new Hyundai Inster be?

Hyundai has already confirmed an extensive list of safety features for its new, more budget EV, including the following:

• Surround view monitor 
• Parking collision avoidance 
• Blind-spot view monitor 
• Forward collision avoidance assist 
• Lane keeping assist
• Lane following assist 
• Blind spot collision avoidance 
• Rear cross traffic avoidance 
• Safety exit warning 
• Adaptive cruise control
• Highway driving assist 1.5 
• Intelligent speed limit assist
• Driver attention warning 
• High beam assist 
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera 

Wait, wasn’t it meant to be called the Casper?

Based on the Korean-only petrol powered Hyundai Casper small SUV which has been on sale since 2021, the newly-named Inster has been re-worked for electrification and has an extended body and wheelbase to its ICE counterpart.

Dimensionally, it is 3815mm long, with a 2580mm wheelbase, 1610mm width and 1575mm height, positioning it as a shorter vehicle than Hyundai’s current smallest vehicle in Australia, the Venue small SUV – however, the Inster’s wheelbase is longer and also not far off its bigger sibling Kona’s.