2025 is shaping up to be the year of the affordable small EV in fleet, with the Dacia Spring, Citroen E-C3, and now this Hyundai Inster on sale.
Outside, the Inster reminds us of a Korean Kei Car in both size and style – as it has a short, upright and boxy shape. If the dimensions don’t get your attention, this Hyundai’s styling will – as it is distinctive!
Ioniq EV design cues
The flush pixel light bars front and rear are Ioniq EV design cues, but this is mixed up with circular headlights with circular daytime lights at the front, and more circular detailing around the lower indictors at the back. Then there are the chunky roof bars, bulbous arches and plastic extensions, covering unusually styled four-spoke 17in alloys at the side. The Inster might be a tall and chunky design, but all the surfaces are slick and clean, surely helping this baby Hyundai cut through the air to achieve up to 229 miles of range.
The choice of nine different exterior colours, including three solids, a metallic, a pearl, and even a matt option, will enable buyers or businesses to personalise the Inster further to their tastes.
Impressive interior space
Inside, despite the Inster’s small dimensions, the Ioniq similarities remain, with the same shared multi-function steering wheel, two 10.25in screens for the instruments and infotainment, plus most of the switchgear. The interior is quite plasticky, but we think it suits this car – although we probably wouldn’t choose our test car’s brown, beige, and dogtooth-trimmed spec.
More unusual Inster interior design features include the wider driver’s seat with built in cup holders. There are also points on the doors where accessories such as phone holders can be clipped. The driving position is comfortable and multi adjustable. Our car had a sunroof, but because this Hyundai is a tall design – headroom even for the tallest is fine.
Move to the back of the Inster, and the impressive amount of rear legroom is a surprise, and like the front, there’s plenty of headroom. All the seats can be folded, the rear one flat to aid the 280-litre boot’s practicality. Whilst the boot is at least 100 litres down on Citroen and Dacia rivals, the Inster does have a useful underfloor stowage area.
Performance and drive
The baby Hyundai EV is just as interesting underneath, as it’s able to be fast charged, has a standard-fit heat pump, and is equipped with a 42kWh battery, with two power outputs: 96hp, and 114hp. Hyundai hasn’t yet quoted a range for the smaller output, but the 114hp version that we drove has a projected range of 229 miles – more than the Citroen and Dacia.
The Inster might be small, but it benefits from much of the technology fitted to the bigger Ioniq models, such as a Surround View Monitor, and the very useful Blind-spot View Monitor. The Inster will be available in 01 and 02 versions, priced at £23,495 and £26,745 respectively. This is more than the Spring, but like the E-C3 – although the Hyundai boasts the best range.
The Inster is easy to drive and on the road, performance of the pre-production 02 version that we drove was perky – although we didn’t drive it on faster roads, such as motorways. The different regen modes and i-brake, giving one-pedal driving, is enabled via the paddles – and proved very useful around town. The steering is light and precise, and the brakes have a consistent feel. Most impressive, is the comfortable and composed ride – even on the biggest 17in wheels. Inster is a tidy handler and hides its bulk well. The highlight in our opinion, is the grown-up, comfortable ride.
The Hyundai is sure to attract attention from fleets looking to electrify due to its affordable pricing, with PCP offers from £249 per month, plus its quirky look, class-leading range, and its easy going, comfortable drive.
Positive: Unusual exterior and interior styling, surprising interior space, range and fast charging, easy to drive, comfortable ride
Negative: Small boot, styling won’t appeal to all, some plastics feel cheap
Standard Equipment: 15in alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, 10.25in digital cluster, 10.25in infotainment touchscreen with navigation, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors and camera, auto headlights, keyless entry, air conditioning, power adjustable and heated door mirrors.
| Model | Hyundai Inster 02 42kWh |
| P11D | £26,690 |
| Residual value | TBC |
| Depreciation | TBC |
| Fuel | TBC |
| Service, maintenance and repair | TBC |
| Cost per mile | TBC |
| Range | 229 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (2%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £9/£18 |
| Luggage capacity | 280 litres |
| Battery size/power | 42kWh/114hp |
| Score | 9/10 |
