Introducing the Smart Little SUV under 25,000 Euros

With its compact dimensions, robust exterior design, and spacious interior, the small Hyundai Inster hits the mark.

Clearly drawing its stylistic inspiration from the design of the Casper, a gasoline-powered mini SUV launched in 2021 and reserved for the Korean market, the Inster stands out with a body and a wheelbase that have been lengthened for better habitability. It thus presents itself as straddling segments A and B thanks to its compact dimensions but a good habitability achieved through its very squared lines.

But far from making it clumsy, this cubic style suits it quite well, thanks to prominent fenders, a high-tech bumper reminiscent of a printed circuit board, and imposing protective skid plates that enhance the design of the front and rear faces of the vehicle. Don’t look for a stylistic equivalent in the Hyundai range; there isn’t one! Perhaps the Korean brand should temper its style experiments a bit as it still lacks that signature that is so elusive.

Inside, the Inster offers a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes navigation, and an induction charging pad that is part of a compact center console designed to provide a greater feeling of space. It’s clean but not devoid of character, and the bottom of the console fiercely recalls models from the 1980s. One might almost guess a car radio behind the temperature controls. For added flexibility, all seats can be folded flat, including the driver’s seat. The Inster can also optionally feature bench-style front seats. The second-row seats are split 50/50 and sliding, and their backrest is reclinable.

A modern electric vehicle

The newcomer comes standard with a 42 kWh battery and is also available with an optional long-range 49 kWh battery. It is powered by a single motor delivering 71.1 kW (97 hp) in the base version and 84.5 kW (115 hp) in the long-range version, with the same torque of 147 Nm.

It can display a nice forecast range of 355 km in the WLTP cycle with a single charge for the long-range version thanks to an average energy consumption of 15.3 kWh/100 km. On a 120 kW DC supercharger, it can be charged from 10 to 80% in about 30 minutes. The INSTER also comes standard with an 11 kW onboard charger, while a battery heating system and a heat pump are offered as options.

Hyundai will launch the Inster this summer in South Korea, then in Europe. The range will be enriched in the future with a new version called Inster Cross, which will be distinguished by a more robust design. The price remains to be known, but on this point, Hyundai rarely surprises us negatively. An entry-level price of 22,000 euros has been announced, which would place it just below its designated rival, the Citroën ë-C3.

READ ALSO: The rumor about Hyundai N Vision 74 is circulating