Hyundai brings a splash of fun and versatility to the small EV market with this car, the Inster. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
Choosing a really cheap small EV doesn't necessarily mean you have to choose a really boring one. Or so Hyundai thinks anyway. For proof, check out this car, the Inster. It's supposed to be fun. It's certainly practical. And if you're shopping in this segment, it might just be what you're looking for.
Background
At last, after years of waiting, the major makers are beginning to address the most affordable end of the EV market. Stung into action by the Dacia Spring and the Citroen e-C3, Hyundai has brought us this, the Inster. In case you're wondering, the name isn't short for 'Instagram'. Instead, the Korean maker claims it's a mix of the words 'intimate' and 'innovative'. You might think it more logical for the brand to have once more used its familiar IONIQ tag (IONIQ 2?). But apparently that nameplate's reserved for Hyundais with the group's advanced 800V EV platform - and there's nothing like that here.
What this car actually should be called is the 'Casper' because a petrol-powered Korean market Hyundai of that name is what the Inster is based on, though for this EV variant, an extra 180mm of length has been inserted into the wheelbase. Which as we'll see is significant because the very young and very old customers being targeted here are getting a small EV more internally versatile than any of its rivals. Sounds interesting. Let's take a closer look.
Driving Experience
When you choose really budget priced small EV, the main thing you tend to have to compromise on is EV range. So it's a pleasant surprise to find that the mainstream 42kWh Inster claims a 203 mileage figure. For segment perspective, a Citroen e-C3 (44kWh) claims 199 miles but a Dacia Spring (26.8kWh) just 137 miles. A 'Long Range' Inster variant is also offered, but because its 49kWh battery is hardly any larger than that of the standard model, it doesn't go much further (229 miles). So the main reason you'd choose the 'Long Range' version is instead that it swaps out the standard model's fairly lethargic 97PS electric motor for a supposedly perkier 115PS unit which makes 62mph in 10.6s (as opposed to 11.7s).
In reality, you probably won't actually notice much performance difference between the two variants because the torque figure (147Nm) is the same either way. Top speed is 87mph for the standard car or 93mph for the 'Long Range'. And both get a standard heat pump, which draws heat from the ambient air so that in cold weather, the climate system draws less on battery power. Expect the tall, glassy body to make urban manoeuvring easy. And there's the usual wide range of Hyundai standard camera safety features. Add up what you get and the price premium over the equivalent Citroen and Dacia EV models isn't difficult to justify.
Design and Build
Hyundai calls the Inster's exterior 'charismatic', with its high nose and boxy proportions. Some will think it ungainly. Others will like the combination of friendliness and ruggedness. Size-wise, it's 3.8m long, 1.6m wide and 1.6m tall (so somewhere between its two main rivals, the Dacia Spring and the Citroen e-C3). Which makes it 230mm longer than the Korean market petrol-powered Casper model this Inster EV is based on. There are 15 or 17-inch wheels. And pixel lights at the rear (a Hyundai EV signature touch). Hyundai hopes it'll all make you feel quite adventurous. To that end, there's pseudo-SUV-style body cladding, roof rails and scuff plates at both ends. And, as on the Casper, the rear door handles are hidden in the C-pillars.
The cabin though, is the thing that might really sell the Inster to you. The front section has no centre console, creating a 'walk-through' design enabling passengers to get out on either side. The front seats merge into a kind of bench, with occupants separated by a fold-down armrest. They view a pair of 10.25-inch dashboard screens for infotainment and instruments. The latter panel can feature the brand's usual useful blind spot system, which projects a camera image of your rear quarter view onto the screen as you indicate.
Avoid base trim and your Inster can be really versatile, with a fold-flat front passenger seat and rear seats that slide and recline, so you can prioritise either leg room or boot space. Almost all of the Inster's 180mm wheelbase length increase over its Casper donor model is to the benefit of rear passengers. Even tall folk will be able to relax behind other front-seated tall folk. And if the front passenger seat is folded flat, they'll be able to use it as a foot rest and imagine that they're in a limo. The rear door cards and front seats also feature attachments which can be used for a range of accessories - like a table, a wallet and a photo album. Where the sliding bench rear seat is fitted, boot capacity can vary between 238 and 351-litres.
Market and Model
The Inster range starts with '01' trim, available with either the 42kWh 97PS drivetrain or the 'Long Range' 49kWh 115PS package. '01' trim starts from around £23,500 and includes 15-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera with dynamic parking control, smart cruise control with stop/go, automatic headlights and a 'smart' key with keyless entry. Inside, there's a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, air conditioning with climate control, a leather steering wheel and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen display with navigation, plus 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' along with Bluelink-connected car services with over-the-air updates,
If it's the 'Long Range' version you want, ideally you'd find another £1,250 more for the plusher '02' trim level that gives you all this car's clever versatility features. Just under £27,000 gets you an Inster '02' 49kWh 115PS model that comes with of 17-inch alloy wheels, front parking sensors, LED projection headlamps and LED rear lights, privacy glass and roof rails. Interior enhancements include LED multifunction steering wheel lights, ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours, fold-flat front seats and a sliding rear bench. The '02' also includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatically dimming rear view mirror and a wireless charging pad.
Customers choosing the '02' specification can also further personalise their Inster with the option of a black contrast roof and door mirrors; and a 'Tech Pack' comprising a 'Vehicle2Load' internal 3-pin plug and a Digital Key system that allows the vehicle to be unlocked and started with a compatible smartphone.
Cost of Ownership
We gave you the EV range figures in our 'Driving' section; Hyundai quotes an efficiency stat of 15.1kWh per 100km. Let's get to the charging figures. The Inster DC charges at up to 120kW and connected up to rapid DC charger, this Hyundai will recharge from 10 to 80% in around 30 minutes. At home, 11kW AC charging allows a full charge of the bigger battery in 4 hours and 35 minutes. The charge port is located in the nose. With top '02' trim, there's the option of 'Vehicle2Load' technology which enables you to plug in external devices to the car, like, say a camping lamp, or charging for an electric scooter or drone. Hyundai includes a heat pump across the line-up as standard to preserve the range of the nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries.
There are the normal low BiK Benefit-in-Kind taxation advantages to buying an EV, along with savings in VED road tax and city congestion charges. As usual with a Hyundai, you can budget ahead with pre-paid servicing plans. And all Inster models come with Hyundai's 5 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, an 8 Year/100,000 Mile High Voltage Battery Warranty, a 5 Year Annual Health Check, a 3 year MapCare navigation update program, a Roadside Assistance package, and a 12 Year Anti Corrosion Warranty. Rival brand Kia claims to better the five year warranty package by offering a similar seven year deal, but there, you're limited to 100,000 miles.
Summary
If you're irritated by the on-trend name, then this probably won't be your sort of car. But if you can get beyond that, there's actually a lot to like about the Inster. You don't pay a whole lot more than would be needed for really basic budget EVs from Dacia and Citroen and in return, you get a small car with a versatile cabin that's significantly more usable.
That practicality necessitates the high-sided chunky looks, which won't be to everyone's taste, but you can see why Hyundai thinks this may help this car reach beyond the conventional small EV market. The Inster might just do that. And shows that a really cheap small EV could be a slightly more interesting proposition than you might have thought.
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