Behind the wheel: Amy  

The first thing that stands out about the INSTER is its safari-ready styling. As a new entrant into the small SUV ranks, INSTER dares to be different. For me, this bold approach pays off. You really feel you’re driving a car with personality, which is exciting for a vehicle in this price bracket.

The INSTER isn’t a beast, but it’s not designed to be. It is the ideal car for the urban jungle.

I drove the entry-level INSTER (range: 327km) and in going about my usual routine for a week, I didn’t need to charge it at all.

I’ve never had an easier time manoeuvring and parking in hectic inner-city Melbourne. INSTER is nimble, compact, and slim. It fit comfortably into my small garage. At 1,610mm wide, it’s 134mm narrower than a MINI Cooper, yet impressively, it doesn’t feel cramped.

Help also came from Hyundai Smart Sense, a standard inclusion comprising over 15 safety and driver assistance features such as Lane Keeping / Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance / Forward and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance, and Safe Exit Warning. For peace of mind when driving in busy city streets, the Virtual Engine Sound System counter-acts the EV’s sound of silence by emitting an external notification for pedestrians.

Personally, I would upgrade to the INSTER Cross to add Blind-Spot View Monitoring and the Surround View Monitor camera with 3D functionality.

The INSTER has two faces. Although slick in the city, it’s built to flex for bigger adventures.

The base model is available in either a standard range (327km) or extended range (360km) option. Stepping up to the INSTER Cross, both are extended range, and even its front seats fold flat to accommodate cargo or campers. There’s the option of a roof basket pack for more carrying capacity, although that drops the range to 293km. So if (like me) your style is more winery crawls and seaside sojourns, choose the sunroof alternative to keep the 360km range.

Vehicle to Load (or V2L) is the must-have feature for those in the know. It enables you to use your car to power appliances or electric devices.

The INSTER Cross has a connection point inside the car for a regular domestic three-pin plug. Alternatively, you can use the exterior charging point which requires a specific V2L connector.

I gave this a try with my portable pizza oven, delighting my dinner companions. Other popular options depending on how you travel include a coffee machine/kettle, toaster, small fridge, e-bike, laptop… even a movie projector.

The value wrapped up in this affordable package is tangible. More benefits befitting a higher-priced car include sliding second-row seats, rain-sensing wipers, and heated steering wheel/front seats on the INSTER Cross model. You get Over-the-Air (OTA) updates for your navigation system, which itself is next level thanks to Connected Routing drawing in live road conditions and traffic data.
Even greater connectivity features through Hyundai’s Bluelink® service and app include:

• Pre-heating or cooling the cabin
• Syncing your calendar and sending appointment addresses through to your sat nav
• Using Voice Control for info and commands
• Augmented reality for guidance if you forget where you parked
• Push notifications if the car’s left unlocked (and the ability to control that along with windows remotely)

Plus, anyone concerned about range anxiety will be pleased to know the INSTER will automatically display EV charging stations along the route based on remaining battery percentage.

Order any new Hyundai novated lease vehicle between 1 July – 29 August 2025 to enter the draw for two AFL Grand Final tickets, a hotel stay and more. For triple entries into the prize draw, choose an all-electric Hyundai like the INSTER. Competition terms & conditions and eligibility criteria apply.†

From outsized innovation to intuitive tech, it’s impressive what you get for what you pay with the INSTER.

It’s ideal for those new to driving an EV. There’s an intelligent one-pedal driving mode (i-Pedal), whereby most of the car’s acceleration, deceleration, reversing, and stopping is controlled solely by the accelerator pedal. However, it’s optional, so you can stick to your existing driving habits and experiment with one-pedal driving over time. There’s also adjustable regenerative braking control to save energy – yours and the battery’s – by having the INSTER intelligently decelerating for traffic and road conditions.

If you’re looking for an affordable EV from a trusted brand, yet something that doesn’t stick to the mould, then the INSTER should absolutely be on your list.