Hyundai Inster: Baby EV coming to Australia to fend off cut-price Chinese hatches (2024)

The new Hyundai Inster will arrive in Australia early next year with two battery options and likely two trim levels, with the brand's product planning manager hinting at a sharp price of entry for its new electric vehicle (EV).

Speaking with CarExpert at the launch of the new 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, product planning manager for Hyundai Australia, Sam Dabestani, said the company is "very excited" to introduce the baby EV off the back of "extremely positive" feedback.

"We're very excited to bring the Inster to the Australian market in early 2025. Initial verbal feedback following the global reveal was extremely positive," Mr Dabestani said.

"It's going to come in at a very attractive price point for customers who are looking for a BEV but perhaps have [been] traditionally dissuaded by the typically higher purchase price of BEVs.

"We think coming in at a more appealing price point is certainly going to bring a lot of customers into the BEV fold. [The Inster] has very appealing styling, which has attracted a lot of positive comments particularly from a younger demographic," Mr Dabestani added.

In Europe, Hyundai is targeting price below €25,000 – equivalent to less than A$40,000. For reference, an entry-level Hyundai Kona with the base 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine is priced from €26,900 in Germany. In Australia the equivalent car with the base 2.0-litre petrol engine starts from $32,000 before on-road costs.

The cheapest EV in Australia currently is the GWM Ora hatchback, currently advertised at $35,990 drive-away. Other affordable EVs include the BYD Dolphin (from $36,890) and MG 4 (from $39,990 drive-away).

Mr Dabestani's comments point to the Inster potentially becoming one of, if not the cheapest new EV in Australia, and will also see Hyundai be the first legacy brand to go toe-to-toe with the Chinese challenger makes in the EV price war.

Hyundai Australia's senior manager for public relations, Guido Schenken, also confirmed both battery variants will be available at launch, likely in two trim levels.

The Inster Standard Range claims "more than 300km" of range from it 42kWh lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, while the Inster Long Range quotes 355km (WLTP) from its larger 49kWh pack.

Both variants are front-drive only, with the Standard Range getting a 71.1kW/147Nm e-motor, while the Long Range ups that to 84.5kW/147Nm. Both variants can charge at up to 120kW with DC fast charging, meaning 10-80 per cent in as little as 30 minutes.

Further, Hyundai's local team confirmed an additional and as yet unrevealed 'Cross' variant is in the works and will join the Australian range at a later date. The Inster Cross is understood to be a more rugged SUV-styled version likely with chunkier bumpers and perhaps a slight suspension lift, in addition to different styling and trim options to the standard model.

Revealed at this year's Busan motor show, the Inster is an electric take on the Korean-exclusive Hyundai Casper city car. It's being offered internationally as the company aims to offer a broader range of mobility solutions.

Measuring 3825mm long, 1610mm wide and 1575mm high while riding on a 2580mm wheelbase, the Inster is 215mm shorter between the bumpers, 160mm narrower and sits 17mm lower than aHyundai Venue– despite its wheelbase being 60mm longer.

In addition to the walk-through first row, all the seats fold flat to provide ample sleeping room if required. It has a smaller 280-litre boot than the Venue (355 litres) though the Inster's sliding second-row seats expands boot capacity to 351 litres.

Standard features inside include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, which includes navigation and provides a wireless smartphone charging dock for those who use mirroring services.

Other available features depending on market and variant include 17-inch alloys, as well as LED projector headlights to complement the standard-fit LED daytime running lights, pixel-graphic indicators and tail lights.

Nine paint finishes will be available depending on market:

Hyundai has been conscious to make the Inster a low environmental-impact vehicle from the second it rolls down the production line, which includes the use of recycled paint for its black high-gloss exterior mouldings to PET materials inside the cabin.

Standard safety equipment will include: