Inster: Hyundai reveals its funky EV for the city

We’ve seen what the Hyundai Motor Company can do in terms of building award-winning EVs like the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. Now, the Korean automaker gives its take on building a subcompact EV for the masses.

Unveiled at the 2024 Busan International Mobility Show is the all-new Inster – an A-segment EV that has a unique design, plus advanced technology and impressive EV range for its size.

It takes its design inspiration from the gas-powered Casper that’s exclusively sold in the South Korean market. Hyundai extended the body and wheelbase of the Inster to open up more cabin space and give a meaner road presence. Its main design features outside include circular LED daytime running lights in front, flush rear door handles, pixel graphic-style taillights and bold skid plates to highlight a rugged appearance.

Inside, the Inster packs a good deal of technology and convenience as it has a 10.25-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. The pixel theme continues inside with different color options for cloth upholstery with the rear seats folding in a 50:50 split. The interior panels were made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from bottles and bio-polypropylene material extracted from sugarcane.

The Inster is powered by a single electric motor with two power outputs. The base variant puts out 97 PS and 147 Nm of torque with a 42 kWh battery, while the long range variant delivers 115 PS and the same 147 Nm of torque with a 49 kWh battery.

Hyundai says the long range variant can reach up to 355 km using the WLTP cycle, and can charge from 10 to 80 percent in under 30 minutes using a 120 kW DC charger.

Much like its bigger brothers the Ioniq 5 and 6, the Inster’s EV architecture allows for external and internal vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing bi-directional charging as well as powering electronic devices such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and camping equipment, among others.

Even though it’s an A-segment EV, Hyundai did not scrimp on features especially in terms of safety. The Inster is equipped with ADAS for a better peace of mind on the road.

The Hyundai Inster will initially be launched in Korea before the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific. Hyundai says most of the equipment and technologies will be offered as standard equipment, with full specifications to come at a later date.