Hyundai Inster priced: It’s the cheapest non-Chinese EV you can buy in Australia today, but still $10K more than a BYD Dolphin
Emphasising the advantage Chinese brands currently have when it comes to EV pricing in Australia, the tiny Hyundai Inster SUV is now on-sale from $39,000 plus on-road costs.
That sets the Korean giant’s cheapest Inster Standard Range almost $10,000 above Australia’s cheapest EV, the $29,990 plus ORCs BYD Dolphin Essential, as well as lagging the $35,990 drive-away GWM Ora and the MG4 that currently starts at $36,990 drive-away (although that changes often).
The Inster, which will be heading out to dealers as soon as next week, also starts more expensive than a pile of orthodox mini and small vehicles, including Hyundai’s own Venue, i30 sedan and Kona.
READ MORE: Urgent surgery! 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 goes under the knife in dramatic bid to get back in the fight with Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal
READ MORE: Revealed and detailed: Hyundai Insteroid concept is Korean car-maker’s fastest and most extreme EV yet
READ MORE: EV switch! 2025 Hyundai Staria going electric as zero-emissions rival for Ford E-Transit, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Mercedes EQV and Zeekr 009
However, it is the cheapest Hyundai EV, easily undercutting the $54,000 Kona EV. It is also the cheapest non-Chinese EV sold in Australia today thanks to the departure of the current generation Nissan Leaf.
The three-model Inster line-up also includes the $42,500 Extended range and the faux SUV Inster Cross priced at $45,000.
On-sale now, the 3825mm long, 1610mm wide and 1575mm high Inster Standard Range comes with a 71.1kW/147Nm e-motor driving the front wheels, fed by a 42kWh battery pack that provides a claimed 327km range.
The optimistically named Inster Extended Range upgrades to an 84.5kW/147Nm e-motor, a 49kWh battery pack and a 360km claimed range between recharges.
The Inster Cross matches that, unless you opt for a Roof Basket option that impacts aero efficiency and drops the claimed range to 293km. All claims are to the WLTP standard.
The Standard range has a claimed 11.7-second 0-100km/h time and the other Inster models 10.6 seconds. Top speed is 140km/h for the Standard range and 150km/h for the Extended Range and Cross.
Charging rates for the battery packs are 10.5kW AC and up to 120kW DC. Hyundai says the Inster can recharge from 10-80 per cent in 30 minutes.
Regeneration is available via adjustable paddles mounted on the steering wheel.
Just for reference it’s worth noting the Dolphin Essential has a 70kW/180Nm e-motor, a 44.9kWh battery pack and a claimed 340km WLTP range. But charging rates lag the Inster at 7kW AC and 60kW DC.
Standard Inster equipment includes a four-seat interior trimmed in recycled PET cloth, a bench front seat, sliding and reclining 50:50 split-folding rear seat and single zone climate control with heat pump.
There are dual 10.25-inch digital screens for infotainment and instrumentation, plus satellite-navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging.
Vehicle-to-Load capability and Hyundai’s Bluelink connected car service are standard. Pixel lights on the steering wheel communicate charging status and drives mode. The Inster also accepts over-the-air updates.
All Insters also come with distinctive round pixel headlights and pixel LED tail-lights. The Extended Range and Cross upgrade from 15- to 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Cross adds exterior body enhancements including cladding, its own skid plate design and roof rails.
The Cross also offers a sunroof (or the roof basket), climate control, heated/ventilated front seats that also fold flat, bio artificial leather trim, a heated version of the leather-trimmed steering wheel and mood lighting.
Safety equipment across the range includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep and follow assist, rear cross traffic avoidance, blind spot monitoring and driver monitoring. There is no spare tyre.
The Cross adds a blind spot view monitor that pops up in the dash when the indicators are activated, front park distance warning, reverse parking collision avoidance and a surround view monitor.
Luggage space is rated at 280 litres to 351 litres depending on the position of the rear seat.
The Inster is covered by Hyundai’s five-year/unlimited km warranty and its high-voltage battery by an eight-year/160,000km warranty.
Exterior paint is recycled from waste tyres. Metallic and Mica premium paint costs an extra $595 and matte premium paint $1000.
