New Hyundai Inster EV brings segment-leading range for just £22,000

As budget-friendly electric superminis start to arrive thick and fast, how does Hyundai’s quirky new Inster compare? There’s more to this slab-sided EV than meets the eye…

Not so long ago the task of finding a sub-£30,000 full-sized electric car was even harder than locating a vacant charging station to plug it into. Luckily though, the times they are a-changin’. Just as our nation’s charging infrastructure continues to grow, so too does the range of ever more affordable small EVs. From Fiat’s new Granda Panda, to supermini staples like Vauxhall’s Corsa finally gaining battery options, the electric price barrier continues to drop.  

This is Hyundai’s latest bite at the budget BEV cherry: the Inster. Evolved from the Korea-only Casper — why did they drop the adorable name? — the new model looks to combine versatility, strong standard tech, and a “unique design”.  

There’s certainly no debating the latter assertion. With its upright, boxy silhouette, the Inster somehow manages to look chunky, dainty, and friendly, all at the same time. That soft face, with its pixel-graphic indicators and LED projection headlamps, won’t intimidate when you spot it in the rearview mirror. Likewise, the charming 15-inch steel wheels (17 inch is an option) and muted paint scheme, look to soothe rather than shock.

According to Hyundai, this cuddly aesthetic is predicated on practicality. Increased body dimensions and a longer wheelbase facilitate a more spacious cabin and a bigger boot. Moreover, the front row seating provides walk-through access, while the second-row seats split, slide, and recline. Handy stuff.  

The interior ambiance is also rather impressive for a car of this segment. Sure, the dash design and center stack don’t win any points for artistic merit, but they’re clear, functional, and laden with gadgets.  

Twin 10.25-inch screens deal with everything from navigation to climate, while an integrated wireless charging dock should hold your phone firmly in place. Plus, whopping 64 colour ambient LED lighting options bathe the interior in a hue of your choosing, and a comprehensive suite of safety assistance systems from blind-spot collision avoidance (BCA) to leading vehicle departure alert (LDVA), add a welcome blanket of protection.

So it’s safe, practical, and well designed, but is it any good at being an EV? In a word: yes. A full charge sees a class-leading 221-miles — significantly farther than Citroen’s e-C3 and Dacia’s Spring EV — though non-long-range variants will achieve nearer 180 miles. Both models can fast charge from 10-80% in around 30 minutes.

Performance? Ah yes, there is, er, some… As standard the Inster makes do with just 95 bhp — good for 0-60 mph on the leisurely side of 11 seconds and 86 mph flat out. Long Range models do pack a little more pep (113 bhp), but the 10.6 second sprint to 60 mph is more circus dodgem than adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster.  

Other noteworthy additions include the Inster’s excellent environmental credentials. The exterior paint is recycled with colouring made from waste tyres, while PET from plastic bottles and bio-polypropylene from sugarcane are utilised in the cabin. Hyundai’s cosy exterior colour names are another highlight. We particularly enjoy Buttercream Yellow Pearl for sounding like the type of boiled sweet your granny would carry in her purse. 

Ultimately, there’s lots to like about the new Inster. And, at just £22,000 for the base model, we think Hyundai’s new oddball offering has a fighting chance of stealing sales from Fiat and Dacia.  

Do affordable EVs like the Inster mark the beginning of the end for ICE-powered superminis? Tell us if you’d consider a small electric car. 

Hero image credit:   Hyundai