First pictures of Hyundai’s Inster compact electric SUV. Could this be Australia’s cheapest EV?
Hyundai has revealed its new sub-compact electric SUV will be called Inster, with promised range up to 355km on the WLTP test cycle.
Unconfirmed but likely to arrive in Australia next year, the Inster would shake up our entry-level EV market if it lands with an expected price around $35,000, possibly lower.
This would see it challenge the GWM Ora ($35,990 drive away), BYD Dolphin ($36,890), MG4 ($39,990 drive-away) and MG ZS EV ($39,990 drive away) as Australia’s cheapest EV.
The Inster shares dimensions and much of its design with the petrol-powered Hyundai Casper, a model sold in Korea since 2021.
While overseas markets – including Australia – will call the titchy city EV ‘Inster’, the Koreans will stick with the familiar nameplate and badge it Casper Electric.
Hyundai has revealed first official teaser pictures of the Inster, but further details are hazy.
We know the model will likely launch in Europe late this year, but it’s unclear if this will include right-hand-drive UK from the outset.
Right-hand-drive production will be key for when Australia receives the Inster, with an announcement on its arrival here likely at the car’s full international reveal at Korea’s Busan Mobility Show in late June.
The Inster images show use of Hyundai’s signature LED daytime running lights as well as its EV design identity pixel styling elements, as see on its Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 EVs. Pixel graphics make up the EV’s turn signals and tail lamps.
Hyundai says the Inster name is derived from “intimate” and “innovative” and has nothing to do with the picture-based social media app.
While battery and motor specifications haven’t been revealed, with the impressive (for a city EV) 355km range, chances are the Inster will share Hyundai’s Kona Electric 48.6kWh battery. This would mean a likely DC charge time of 30 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent.
We sampled the three-cylinder petrol-powered Casper in Korea in 2022, and were pleasantly surprised with its cabin packaging, despite the compact body.
At 3595mm long and with 2400mm wheelbase it’s exactly the same size as the Kia Picanto city hatchback. But the Inster’s SUV shape means it is 90mm taller at 1575mm high.
We’ll bring full details on the new Hyundai Inster from its global reveal in Busan on June 27th.
