2025 Hyundai Inster Standard Range Review

The Inster, also known as the 'Casper' in overseas markets where it has been available overseas for a number of years now, touching down on Australian shores with a fun-loving, futuristic styling package and a strong value proposition.

The Inster aims to give Hyundai a solid footing in the pint-sized, light electric SUV space, following in the footsteps of the larger Kona Electric, IONIQ 5 and the flagship IONIQ 9.

The smallest end of the SUV segment just so happens to be one of the most competitive, with the onslaught of sharply-priced and extremely well-equipped Chinese options meaning the Inster needs to perform particularly well in order to make a noticeable dent.

Just how well does the Inster hold up as a standalone electric SUV package, then, and just how confidently does it stand on its own feet against its major rivals?

We got behind the wheel of the entry-level Inster Standard Range to find out.

Hyundai Inster Competition

How Much Does the Hyundai Inster Cost?

Hyundai offers the Inster range in three different flavours.

This entry-level Inster Standard Range is priced at $39,000 while the Inster Extended Range will set you back $42,500 and the current range-topping Inster Cross is priced at $45,000 before on-road costs.

• Inster Standard Range: $39,000 + ORC (tested)

• Inster Extended Range: $42,500 + ORC

• Inster $45,000 + ORC

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Hyundai Inster Standard Range Specifications

What Features Does the Hyundai Inster Have?

Hyundai's entry-level Inster Standard Range comes riding on a set of 15-inch alloys and picks up LED headlights, keyless entry & start, adaptive cruise control, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, recycled cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a heat pump, LED cabin lighting, single-zone climate control, vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, a wireless charging pad and a set of sliding and reclining second row seats.

Buyers upgrading to the Inster Extended Range receive a larger set of 17-inch alloys.

Those stepping up to the Inster Cross receive wheel arch cladding, roof rails, upgraded leatherette upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel and a choice of either a panoramic sunroof or a roof basket.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The Hyundai Inster presents a solid infotainment offering - though it's far from the best tech in the segment.

There’s a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen sitting atop the dashboard, the same unit we've seen in many Hyundai vehicles that have come before it.

We mentioned earlier that the Inster, AKA the Casper, has been on sale in its home market of South Korea since late 2021, debuting with this screen. Since its launch, Hyundai has stuck with the same display for MY25 Inster vehicles, which makes it competitive but somewhat lacking when compared to the best in the segment.

The 10.25-inch display’s brightness levels are great, even under the midday sun, though it's not particularly pixel-dense and we did notice some small moments of lag between menus.

That said, it’s user-friendly to operate thanks to Hyundai’s straightforward menu layouts, while a number of physical shortcuts mean you won’t get lost navigating - something that can't be said about a number of its rivals.

We’ll cut the Inster some slack because of its affordability, though there’s no escaping the fact that there's more screen real estate, faster processors and screen refresh rates in two of its biggest rivals that just so happen to be cheaper, too.

Hyundai bundles in factory satellite navigation and over-the-air software updates into the Inster's 10.25-inch infotainment system which is paired with a six-speaker sound system.

Buyers also pick up a five-year subscription to Hyundai's Bluelink connected services suite, offering remote vehicle controls and diagnostics, vehicle tracking, live weather and traffic info, collision notifications with emergency calls and a voice assistant.

Does the Hyundai Inster Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

This is another area the Inster's somewhat ageing hardware begins to show.

That's because there is no wireless Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto connectivity on offer with the MY25 Inster range.

Instead, you'll need to bring your own USB-A cable in order to connect your smartphone and access Android Auto or Apple CarPlay on the move.

While there's a USB-C port in the front of the cabin, this is only for charging, with the data transfer for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto taken care of by a USB-A port.

Is the Hyundai Inster Comfortable to Drive?

It's a peach - arguably the best in the segment by some margin, too.

While it's a relatively easy feat to make a vanilla, borderline boring electric hatchback these days, giving that creation a fun-loving charm behind the wheel is another feat entirely.

Thankfully, we're pleased to report that Hyundai has given the Inster both a great set of table manners and a healthy dose of charisma on the road that makes it one of our favourites in the segment.

Underneath, the Inster picks up a single electric motor that throws 71kW power and 147Nm of torque to the front wheels.

Hyundai says it will silently haul up to 100km/h in a very leisurely 11.7 seconds.

That's a slow figure on paper, though behind the wheel, at least, the Inster feels perky off the line thanks to that instant injection of torque and a sub 1.4 tonne kerb weight figure.

It's more than capable of keeping up with traffic and while boosting up to speed for a quick overtake.

Where the Inster really shines, however, is when you throw it directly into an overcrowded shopping centre car park on a weekend.

You'll watch those in large SUVs and dual-cab utes nervously three or four-point turning their big rigs into position, breezing past with a smile on your face as you throw the Inster into position without a second thought.

With its sharp, lightweight steering rack, narrow bodywork and an extremely tight turning circle, the Inster is a breath of fresh air in even the tightest of confines in the urban jungle.

It'll also squeeze into virtually any vacant parallel parking spot thanks to its stout wheelbase, with added confidence provided by the solid visibility.

The regenerative braking is easily adjusted via the wheel-mounted paddles and there's a one-pedal drive mode for maximum energy recuperation.

Pick up the pace and the Inster feels responsive and nimble on its feet thanks to that sharp steering ratio, tackling roundabouts and tight turns with ease.

The tyres fitted to the Standard range model don't allow for too much in the way of grip, though, showcasing the fact the chassis is far more competent than the standard rubber.

We were also quite impressed with just how confident this city-slicking pint-sized package felt on rougher road surfaces around town and particularly when pushed on a country road.

It soaks up sharper bumps well while remaining nice and stable on larger, higher-speed bumps on a B-road in a manner quite foreign to this end of the segment.

It’s quite bouncy when you're really pushing over the bumps, though it remains planted and confident on a pretty challenging stretch of rough, undulating tarmac.

All up, we couldn’t help but be charmed by the Inster’s refreshing, fun-loving nature, user-friendliness around town and surprised by its versatility when pressed on some of Australia's sub-par road conditions.

How Far Can the Hyundai Inster Drive on a Single Charge?

The Inster’s pint-sized footprint means that the company hasn't been able to fit a huge battery pack, though as a fit-for-purpose city-slicking EV, things are solid.

Hyundai offers the Inster in both standard and long range variants, each packing a 42kWh and 49kWh battery pack, respectively.

Combined with excellent energy efficiency figures of 14.3kWh per 100km, this Inster Standard Range is capable of driving up to 327km on a single charge.

We managed to beat Hyundai's official efficiency claims, averaging 13.1kWh per 100km over 793km worth of town, country and highway kilometres.

The Inster Long Range with the larger 49kWh battery pack and 15.1kWh per 100km efficiency figures can drive up to 360km per charge, making it the best long distance option.

It's worth keeping in mind that buyers opting for the Inster Cross with the optional roof basket will see their maximum range figures drop down to 293km due to considerable aero drag entering the equation.

• Inster Standard Range Battery Size: 42kWh

• Battery Chemistry: Nickel manganese cobalt (NMC)

• Inster Standard Range Efficiency: 14.3kWh per 100km (claimed)

• Inster Standard Range Efficiency: 13.1kWh per 100km (tested)

• Inster Standard Range Driving Range: 327km

• Inster Long Range Battery Size: 49kWh

• Battery Chemistry: Nickel manganese cobalt (NMC)

• Inster Long Range Efficiency: 15.1kWh per 100km

• Inster Long Range Driving Range: 360km (293km with optional roof basket)

How Fast Can You Charge the Hyundai Inster

The Hyundai Inster's 400-volt architecture supports DC fast charging speeds up to 120kW.

This makes it notably faster to charge than its biggest rivals, the BYD Dolphin and the GWM Ora which are capped at 100kW and 80kW, respectively.

Combine that with its relatively small battery pack measuring between 42 - 49kWh and you won't be waiting too long at a DC fast charging station.

With access to the right charger, you'll be able to charge the Inster from 10 - 80 per cent in a claimed 30 minutes.while AC charging speeds are capped at 10.5kW.

• Inster Peak DC Fast Charging Speed: 120kW

• Inster 10 - 80 per cent Charge Time: 30 minutes

• Inster Peak AC Charging: 10.5kW

Is it Practical and Spacious?

For something that doesn't command a big footprint, the Inster is remarkably practical.

With a quick glimpse from the outside, your hopes of a practical cabin might not be sky high, though climb aboard and the surprises start coming.

The first thing you'll notice is the sheer amount of light entering the cabin from the large side windows and a decent-sized windscreen.

Even the tallest of drivers and front passengers won't have a problem getting comfortable in the Inter thanks to a remarkably high roofline enabled by that quirky, boxy styling package.

There's a decent range of manual adjustment for both the seat base and steering wheel, the latter of which offers reach and rake adjustment.

The seats themselves aren’t anything special due to the lack of width or noticeable side bolstering, but they’re comfortable enough for long hauls up the highway - you'll almost certainly run out of charge before your lower back taps out.

The sense of space is further aided by the open space between the driver and front passenger, with Hyundai foregoing the conventional centre console design for the open-plan layout.

While there’s a premium-feeling, leather-wrapped steering wheel, the same can't be said for a lot of the interior trim.

In fact, we'd say the most noticeable divide between the Inster and its biggest rivals is the cabin finish.

Things are tied down and there’s no major trim rattles, though there's a mass of cheap, black plastic covering the dash, door and centre console trim.

Hyundai has added a soft touchpoint to the driver's door side panel, though the side of the centre console is hard plastic leaving your left knee with a hard place to bang up against.

In terms of storage, the Inster actually hits the mark quite confidently.

There's a large cut-out in front of the passenger and below the infotainment display along with two sizable cubbies sitting underneath, one of which houses a wireless charging pad.

Cupholders have been incorporated into the seatbase itself, topped by a folding armrest.

Move to the second row of the cabin and the Inster proves itself a feat of clever engineering and interior packaging.

Something of this stature should not offer as much rear legroom as the Inster does.

I’m 185cm and I could sit comfortably behind my driving position, meaning you won't hear a peep from kids seated in the second row.

Headroom is also excellent thanks to the Inster's boxy proportions.

Cabin width is obviously quite restricted, though the Inster’s four-seat layout means things are pretty sweet all up when it's fully loaded.

Rear accommodation does, however, come at the expense of any amenities in the second row, with that mass of black plastic once again wrapping its way through the rear cabin that doesn't add much in the way of refinement.

Those second row seats are able to slide back and forth on a set of rails and offer a decent range of recline if you're looking to lay back on a long trip.

All up, we were frankly blown away with just how well Hyundai has done giving the pint-sized Inster some serious practicality.

Honestly, it blows most small SUVs out of the water and even gives some medium SUVs when it comes to legroom.

How Big is the Hyundai Inster's Boot?

All the interior wizardry giving the Inster a surprising amount of space inside the cabin does not extend to the Inster's boot, though it does well for its size.

With the rear seats in play and slide back to their most accommodating position, the Inster's boot measures a very compact but useable 280L.

Sliding the second row to its furthest position and there’s 351L worth of storage if you're doing a sizable run to the shops.

The Inster's second row seats feature a neat mechanism that allow them to fold completely flat, unlocking a total of 1,059L worth of cargo space in the boot with some added under-floor storage for your charging cables.

• Inster Boot Space Minimum: 280 - 351L (depending on rear seat position)

• Inster Boot Space Maximum: 1,059L (seats folded flat)

Is it Safe?

Hyundai bundles in a hefty list of safety tech into the Inster, though the company's tech can be overbearing at times and some key features are reserved for the range-topping Inster Cross variant.

As standard, Hyundai throws in AEB with junction assist alongside pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist with lane centring and a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors.

There's also safe exit and rear occupant alerts, traffic sign detection, driver attention monitoring and speel limit assistance.

If you’re looking for front-mounted parking sensors, a surround-view monitor, parking collision avoidance or a blind-spot view monitor, however, you'll need to upgrade to the flagship Inster Cross.

This is a bit of a hard pill to swallow, especially considering it’s all there in base versions of the Inster's biggest rivals.

Hyundai's safety tech is one of the more vocal systems on the market though, thankfully, the company makes it an easy task to turn these off quite easily behind the wheel.

Does the Hyundai Inster Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Inster has been given a four-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2025 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 70%

• Child Occupant Protection: 83%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 70%

• Safety Assist: 69%

What Warranty does the Hyundai Inster Come With?

The Hyundai Inster benefits from Hyundai's recently-updated seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

There's also a separate eight-year/160,000 kilometre warranty for the NMC high-voltage battery pack.

Keep it serviced within the Hyundai network and you’ll also pick up seven years' worth of roadside assistance.

Hyundai offers capped price servicing packages for two and four year periods which are priced at $660 and $1,320, respectively.

Service intervals for the Inster range stand at a particularly lengthy 24 months or 30,000 kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Hyundai Inster Worth it?

The Hyundai Inster is an extremely strong contender in the affordable electric vehicle space that wasted no time charming our socks off.

It strikes a wonderfully fun-loving blend of user-friendliness and fun behind the wheel, giving it a sense of character that some of its competitors notably lack when it comes to the driving experience.

We were also quite staggered with just how spacious things are inside the cabin, with the Inster really throwing down the gauntlet when it comes to pint-sized practicality.

It is by no means a perfect vehicle, though. Notably, the Inster lacks a number of key features you'll find in its rivals while being undercut on price.

Then, of course, there is the price tag to contend with, which in our humble opinion is slightly too high to make it a straight up no-brainer.

That said, we think the Inster still commands attention for those looking for an alternative in the affordable EV space that looks quirky, feels far more spacious than its exterior footprint would suggest and drives extremely well both around town and when pressed on a rough stretch of Aussie back road.

Within the Inster lineup, this Standard Range version makes quite a lot of sense if you're on a budget, otherwise, stepping it up to the Inster Cross unlocks a stack more features and a clever set of flat-folding front seats.

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Five Hyundai Inster Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty

2. Eight-year/160,000 kilometre battery warranty

3. 327 - 360km range from 42 & 49kWh battery packs

4. 10 - 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes from 120kW DC fast charging

5. Four-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2025)