Hyundai Inster: The Cool One

In South Korea, the Hyundai Casper has become a favorite with its retro-cool, 80s-inspired design. Now, the electric version—branded as the Hyundai Inster—arrives in Europe, bringing a fresh vibe to the electric compact car scene.

Stylish Yet Affordable Electric Option

The Hyundai Inster might not come cheap, but with a base price under €23,000, it’s still a tempting offer—especially as most European competitors with electric options can’t even come close to such pricing. With the round, friendly look of an SUV-inspired mini, the Inster is eye-catching and playful, recalling the nostalgic design cues of the 80s without slipping into vintage territory. This model is essentially a roomier version of the popular Korean Casper, with an extra 25 cm in length, extending it to 3.83 meters.

This added length not only makes room for a 49-kWh battery but also gives rear-seat passengers more legroom. Surprisingly spacious, it can comfortably seat adults up to 1.90 meters in height and even has rear doors—quite the contrast to competitors like the Mini Cooper E (€28,150) or Opel Corsa E (€29,900). Only the Citroen e-C3 (€23,300) and Fiat 500 Electric (€24,990) play in this price range, but neither quite matches the Inster’s charm. Inside, the Inster offers loads of space, a clear 10.25-inch display, and intuitive controls—all making it a modern electric city car that’s both fun and functional.

Clever Design, Thoughtful Details

Though the base model’s halogen headlights are a minor drawback, the Inster makes up for it with clever storage solutions, handy hooks, and comfortable features like ventilated seats and an optional panoramic sunroof. All four seats fold down, allowing for mini camping or work breaks on the go.

Its cargo space can expand from 238 to 351 liters, and folding down the second row opens up a roomy 1,059 liters. Like Hyundai’s larger models, the Inster can be unlocked via smartphone, while the pixel-themed taillights and warning lights add a playful, tech-forward vibe.

Practical Performance

Hyundai has kept the powertrain options simple yet satisfying. The entry-level model offers a 42-kWh battery paired with a 71 kW (97 hp) electric motor driving the front wheels. For those wanting more range and power, the 85 kW (115 hp) motor with a 49-kWh battery will likely be the more popular choice, reaching up to 150 km/h on the highway.

Charging isn’t the fastest at 85 kW, but a half-hour at a fast-charger will take the battery from 10% to 80%. With a consumption rate of 15.3 kWh/100 km, the larger battery enables a range of up to 370 km—plenty for its city-focused role. Additionally, the Inster features Vehicle-to-Load functionality, allowing external devices like e-bikes or camping gear to be charged directly from the car.