Hyundai Inster Is a Weird Little Mini SUV You'll Either Love or Hate

Unlike its predecessor, this thing is intended for the larger global market, so expect to see it running aroung the streets in your city sooner than later. It is also electric, because that's what’s hot right now, and promises to bring the "best all-electric range in its segment."

What segment would that be? Well, technically this is described as an A-segment sub-compact, but that's not exactly accurate, given how it comes with an extended body and a larger wheelbase than the Casper. So the Inster is basically a sort of wedge to be stuck between A-segment sub-compacts and B-segment compacts.

If you really think about it, though, where a car slots exactly is more of a thing for carmakers than for customers. What people care about are the car's capabilities. Depending on how you look at the Inster, this weird-looking mini SUV may be either a revelation or a disappointment.

The Inster will be offered by Hyundai with a choice of two batteries, a 42 kWh one on the standard version and a 49 kWh battery on the Long-Range one. The former version of the car will be capable of reaching distances of up to 186 miles (300 km), while the more potent variant targets 221 miles (355 km).

For city driving that is, naturally, more than enough, but the numbers are far below what the larger electric car world is now capable of. To sweeten the deal, Hyundai throws in a fast charging capability that should get the batteries to 80 percent capacity in about half an hour (standard charging times are four hours). For the task of feeding the car the juice it needs, an on-board 11 kW charger is included.

The batteries are there to feed, among other things, the electric motors that drive the Inster's wheels. Or should I say the electric motor, as there is only one of them. In the standard Inster, the unit develops a total of 95 horsepower, while on the Long-Range it cranks out 113 hp. In both variants the torque levels are the same, namely 147 Nm.

But the batteries can also feed stuff like electric bicycles, scooters and camping equipment, thanks to a feature you'll probably love: bi-directional charging is available on the Inster, allowing the vehicle to either power the gear you take with you on various trips, or to get some power from them if it needs to.

Design-wise the thing is, well, something you'll either love or hate. Looking pretty much like the Casper does, with a short and stubby body that looks like some squashed SUV, the Inster is also weird when looked at from the front and rear – and that will probably make it a fan favorite.

Hyundai is probably betting on this effect, and that's why it throws in some quirky little design elements that will ignite people's imagination even more: a circuit board-style bumper, a skid plate, unique LED daytime running light signature and pixel-graphic turn signals, and, in some cases, a two-tone paint job with a contrasting black roof.

I say in some cases because the model will be offered in about nine exterior colors, with only some of them (unclear which ones at this point) available in this design. Regardless of body paint choice, customers will be offered three types of wheels to choose from: 15-inch steel with wheel covers, 15-inch alloys, and 17-inch alloys.

The interior of the Inster looks a lot more spacious than you'd expect, and it even has a center console separating the two front seats. In front of them, the dashboard holds a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen up and center, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver. A wireless charging has also been provided.

According to Hyundai, the front-row seating allows for walkthrough access, and there's even the option of going for a bench instead. All seats, including the driver's one, can be folded flat, with the ones at the back built in a 50/50 split design.

There are only three interior color and material choices, but the South Koreans also throw in 64-color ambient lighting.

Hyundai presented this Inster this week at the 2024 Busan International Mobility Show in its home country, but says the model will be rolled out globally. The first nation to get it is, naturally, South Korea, and the Inster will arrive there as soon as this summer.

Later on customers in Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region will be treated to the model as well. Full specifications for each of the markets, as well as pricing, will be revealed at a later date.

Perhaps the most exciting news about the Inster rollout is that the model will soon become a family. Hyundai plans to launch a variant called Inster Cross, naturally meant for the more adventurous drivers.