Hyundai Motor Company today unveiled the all-electric INSTER, a new A-segment sub-compact EV offering what Hyundai says is unique design, segment-leading driving range and versatility, and advanced technology, at the 2024 Busan International Mobility Show.

According to Hyundai, the INSTER offers fast charging and the best all-electric range (AER) in its segment, at up to 355 km.

Hyundai INSTER: Bold exterior design and unique features

Building on the design legacy of the Korea-only, petrol-powered CASPER introduced in 2021, the INSTER’s styling evolution is underpinned by an extended body and wheelbase to deliver more interior space.

With its expanded dimensions, INSTER is positioned squarely between traditional A-segment sub-compact city cars and larger B-segment compact models. This offers the manoeuvrability and ease of use buyers expect with enhanced practicality and flexibility thanks to a more spacious interior and improved luggage capacity, says Hyundai.

“With INSTER, we’ve taken the small SUV image to a bold new place for the global audience,” said Simon Loasby, Senior Vice President and Head of the Hyundai Design Centre. “INSTER punches well above its weight with distinctive design and an interior that maximizes its potential in exciting, customer-centric ways. With INSTER we’re redefining what it means to drive a sub-compact EV.”

The car has LED daytime running light signature and pixel-graphic turn signals, tail lamp, and bumpers. Customers can further differentiate the car’s appearance with LED projection headlamps and a two-tone exterior with a contrasting black roof. Either 15-inch steel with wheel covers, 15-inch alloy or 17-inch alloy wheels will be offered depending on specification. 

Hyundai INSTER: Interior versatility and advanced materials

Inside, INSTER has a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment touch screen with navigation and a wireless charging dock that forms part of a compact centre console designed to create a greater sense of spaciousness.

The pixel theme is repeated inside, with graphics on the INSTER’s steering wheel boss reinforcing the car’s high-tech image. The interior design also features customisable upper door trim garnishes for owners to further personalise their vehicle.

INSTER’s interior offers versatility with the front row seating providing walk-through access. All seats can be folded flat – including the driver’s seat – for increased flexibility. A front bench seat option and heated front seats and steering wheel are also available. The second-row seats are split 50/50 and slide and recline. We are very happy to see physical AC control buttons, as well as physical buttons for seat heating. Gladly, Hyundai has not gone down the screen-only route for controlling these features.

INSTER’s exterior colour choices include Atlas White, Tomboy Khaki, Bijarim Khaki Matte and Unbleached Ivory, as well as several new hues, such as Sienna Orange Metallic, Aero Silver Matte, Dusk Blue Matte, Buttercream Yellow Pearl, and Abyss Black Pearl. Some exterior colour choices will be available in two-tone combinations with a contrasting black roof.

Interior trim choices include Black, and Khaki Brown and Newtro Beige two-tone with full cloth trim.

Both the exterior and interior utilise sustainable materials. The INSTER’s exterior features black high- gloss recycled paint, which replaces the carbon black pigment traditionally used in black paint with a colouring made from recycled waste tyres. Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from bottles and bio-polypropylene material extracted from sugar cane are used inside.

Hyundai INSTER: Fast charging capability and segment-leading range

Equipped with a 42 kWh battery as standard, INSTER is also available with a Long-Range 49 kWh battery as an option. Both models are powered by a single motor that delivers 71.1 kW in the base variant and 84.5 kW in the Long-Range car. Both versions offer 147 Nm of torque with an estimated energy consumption of 15.3 kWh/100 km (WLTP).

When using a 120 kW DC High-Power charging station, INSTER can charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes under optimal conditions. INSTER also comes equipped with an 11 kW on-board charger as standard, while a battery heating system and high-efficiency heat pump are available.

External and internal Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality provides power for external devices (110V/220V), allowing bidirectional charging without requiring additional equipment. This enables customers to freely use or charge devices such as electric bicycles, scooters and camping equipment.

Hyundai INSTER: Technology and convenience features

Hyundai claims its new A-segment sub-compact urban EV offers the most complete technology package in the segment, including comprehensive Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features such as a Surround View Monitor (SVM), Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear (PCA-R), Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5 (FCA 1.5).

Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Lane Following Assist (LFA) are also offered, plus Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Safety Exit Warning (SEW), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) w/ Stop and Go, Highway Driving Assist 1.5 (HDA 1.5), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA) and Rear Occupant Alert (ROA).

The ADAS Parking System combines Parking Distance Warning (PDW) Front and Rear with a Rear-View Monitor (RVM) for greater visibility.

Hyundai INSTER: Global rollout with additional model on the way

INSTER will launch first in Korea, followed by Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific in due course. Most equipment and technologies will come fitted as standard, with enhanced convenience and design features available optionally. Specifications will be confirmed closer to launch. Hyundai New Zealand has confirmed that the “INSTER will be evaluated for the New Zealand market”.

An additional variant, called INSTER CROSS, will join the INSTER family in the future, featuring a more rugged, outdoor-focused design. Further details will be announced at a later date.

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Fred Alvrez
How on earth to start this? I've been car/bike/truck crazy since I was a teen. Like John, I had the obligatory Countach poster on the wall. I guess I'm more officially into classic and muscle cars than anything else - I currently have a '65 Sunbeam Tiger that left the factory the same day as I left the hospital as a newborn with my mother. How could I not buy that car? In 2016 my wife and I drove across the USA in a brand-new Dodge Challenger, and then shipped it home. We did this again in 2019 in a 1990 Chev Corvette - you can read about that trip on DriveLife, and again in 2023 buying a C5 Corvette and shipping it home. I'm a driving instructor and an Observer for the Institute of Advanced Motorists - trying to do my bit to make our roads safer.

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