Critical Evaluation of the 2025 Hyundai Interster: A Comprehensive Assessment
The stylish, little electric Hyundai Inster has landed down under, hot on the heels of winning World Electric Car of the Year! With an appealing design and an electric driving range of up to 360km, the Inster feels like an outstanding EV choice for city dwellers, empty nesters, or couples seeking a fun and practical second vehicle.
Although the pricing of the new 2025 Hyundai Inster may seem aggressive compared to the cheapest electric cars from China, it makes sense once you're behind the wheel. The Inster delivers a mature driving feel, oozes quality, and checks off numerous design-focused boxes for those seeking a dynamic small electric car that's ready to stand out in the crowd. Navigating city streets and finding a parking spot among larger family SUVs and 4x4 trucks is a breeze for the Inster.
The tech suite on offer from Hyundai for the Inster is impressive yet user-friendly, prioritizing conventional interfaces and shying away from digital overload in favor of buttons, a touchscreen, and voice control that just works.
Checking Out the 2025 Hyundai Inster: A Closer Look
How much does a 2025 Hyundai Inster cost?
The Hyundai Inster is now the most affordable electric car in Hyundai's extensive electric car lineup in Australia. It's offered in three versions: the Standard Range model, the Extended Range model, and the range-topping Cross variant. The Standard Range model will set you back $39,000 plus on-road costs, with a 42kWh battery expected for a driving range of around 327km.
The Extended Range model, which can travel up to 360km (WLTP), features a larger 49kWh battery and arrives with a starting price of $42,500 plus on-road costs. Standard features across the range include dual 10.25-inch digital displays, Hyundai Bluelink Connected Car Services with a complimentary five-year subscription, and over-the-air updates for navigation and Hyundai's latest Smartsense safety suite. All vehicles are equipped with vehicle-to-load capability, including a convenient 240V socket situated at the front of the cabin.
The Hyundai Inster Cross, available for $45,000 plus on-roads, is the pinnacle of the range. It upgrades the specification of the Extended Range, replaces the wheel with a different design, and adds either a sunroof or a removable roof basket for increased cargo capacity. It also boasts the highest driver assistance technology, featuring a surround camera, blind-spot view monitor, and front parking distance warning.
Capped price servicing is available across the Inster range with an extended maintenance interval of 30,000kms or 24 months. Your first two maintenance visits will cost $655 each when serviced at one of Hyundai's 146 service centers. Hyundai Australia supports the Inster with a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty on the vehicle and an eight-year/ 160,000km warranty on the propulsion battery.
The Hyundai Inster: A Funky Exterior and Comfortable Interior
The Hyundai Inster stands out with its digital pixel lighting, funky design features such as round pixel LED headlamps, pixel-graphic turn signals, and a "muscular skid plate." The vehicle is less than 4 meters long, making it smaller than the Hyundai Venue light SUV. The Inster is offered in nine colors, including six new shades in the Hyundai portfolio, with metallic and matte paint finishes available.
The cabin mirrors the exterior's funky aesthetic. Two interior options are provided for the Inster Standard Range, both featuring recycled PET upholstery. Inster Cross models offer two synthetic leather trim options, with both sets providing a choice of a darker, more forgiving colorway or a brighter, more dynamic finish.
The Inster's center console includes wireless charging for one phone, USB-A and USB-C charging options for other devices, and a 240V socket suitable for plugging in a laptop. The front passenger seat folds flat to create a table for working on the go, and the cabin is highlighted by a 10.25-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav included.
The Drive: Is the Hyundai Inster Good to Drive?
At its core, the Hyundai Inster offers an enjoyable driving experience, particularly for urban environments. While it thrives in cities, it's surprisingly enjoyable on open and regional roads. Hyundai's Australian engineers selected the best suspension hardware to tailor the Inster for its local specifications, resulting in a car that handles bumps well and provides a responsive driving experience.
The Inster offers four drive modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow, as well as three levels of regenerative braking. With the focus on urban mobility, the Inster's battery options play a key role in its convenience and technology focus. And with its lightweight design (by EV standards), the Inster promises quick charging times, going from 10 to 100 percent charge in either four or four-and-a-half hours on a standard household socket or within 30 minutes at up to 120kW charging speeds.
Safety: Holding Up in Emergencies
The Inster is currently untested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, but it boasts a full suite of safety technology equal to some of the larger vehicles in Hyundai's range. This includes Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) and Highway Driving Assist (HDA), with Inster Cross models featuring additional systems like Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) and a Surround View Monitor (SVM).
Hyundai also offers its connected services, including eCall and breakdown assistance technology, all courtesy of a five-year subscription. Despite its advanced safety features, it's a concern that the Inster misses out on airbags for rear passengers and its curtain airbags only cover the front row. This omission could impact five-star testing results from ANCAP.
Making the Right Choice: Hyundai Inster vs other EVs
Comparison shopping EVs? While the Hyundai Inster may not be the cheapest vehicle in its class, its premium design and smooth ride/handling set it apart from competitors like the Chery E5, BYD Dolphin, MG4, GWM Ora, e-2008, 500e, Yaris Cross, and petrol-hybrid SUVs.
If you're deciding between small electric cars, the Inster stands out with its extensive ADAS features and stylish design elements such as pixel-graphic turn signals. And with its urban focus, the Inster's battery options and range are designed for convenience and technology-centric driving.
Get Ready for the Hyundai Inster
The 2025 Hyundai Inster may offer good value, as its small size makes it easy to live with and navigate the urban landscape. While it may not be the absolute cheapest EV in its class, its premium package, ride/handling, and dealer network support make it a solid choice for city dwellers seeking a compact, fun electric car. As always, it's essential to consider your specific needs—including budget, daily commute, and family size—before making a decision.
- The stylish design and technology-focused features of the 2025 Hyundai Inster make it an appealing option for city dwellers who also want to invest in gadgets and electric-vehicles.
- Coupled with its impressive safety features, user-friendly tech suite, and the convenience of charging options, the Inster stands as a compelling choice, offering a unique blend of lifestyle, advanced technology, and spectacular driving experiences.
