Hyundai Inster Review 2025

Move over, conventional cars! The Hyundai Inster has arrived on UK shores, bringing a delightful blend of charm, innovation, and eco-friendly performance. This compact electric SUV is turning heads and sparking conversations. But what makes it stand out against affordable electric cars like the Dacia Spring and Citroen e-C3? Keep reading this Hyundai Inster review from GB Vehicle Leasing to find out.

Hyundai Inster Exterior & Dimensions

The Hyundai Inster may be compact, but it’s far from shy when it comes to design. Right off the bat, this electric car makes a bold statement with its boxy silhouette, pixel-themed LED lighting, and chunky SUV styling cues. When it comes to dimensions, the Inster measures 3,825mm in length, 1,610mm in width, and 1,575mm in height. To put that into perspective, it’s just a smidge longer than a Fiat 500 and slightly taller than a MINI Electric. It’s the perfect size for city life, sliding effortlessly into tight parking spaces and narrow streets.

Visually, the Inster combines rugged SUV charm with playful, modern aesthetics. The front end features a wide stance with quirky LED pixel headlights, giving it a robotic, futuristic expression. The squared-off wheel arches, contrasting cladding, and available roof rails all nod toward its crossover-SUV aspirations. Higher trims add even more flair with exclusive alloy wheels and dual-tone colour options. Overall, it's not trying to be another soulless EV - the Inster’s got style, personality, and substance in abundance.

Hyundai Inster Interior & Tech

Step inside the Hyundai Inster and you’re welcomed into a cabin that feels more spacious and premium than you’d ever expect from such a compact SUV. Hyundai has clearly put a lot of thought into making the interior feel airy, intuitive, and packed with clever features.

First impressions? Bright, minimalist, and refreshingly modern. The dashboard design is clean and uncluttered, with a strong horizontal layout that emphasises space. A floating centre console and clever use of ambient lighting give the cabin a tech-forward, almost lounge-like vibe. The dual 10.25” displays immediately grab your attention. One serves as the digital instrument cluster, offering crisp, customisable driving information. The other is your infotainment touchscreen, complete with built-in navigation, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

GB Vehicle Leasing feels the seating is equally smart. All seats, including the front passenger and even the driver’s, can be folded flat - an impressive touch in an EV of this size. The rear seats can also slide forward up to 16cm, allowing you to fine-tune the balance between rear legroom and boot space. Also, depending on the trim level, you’ll find heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, and even rear USB ports to keep everyone happy on the go.

Hyundai Inster Boot Space & Practicality

For an electric vehicle that fits neatly into the urban jungle, the Hyundai Inster punches well above its weight when it comes to practicality. Don’t let its compact exterior fool you - the Inster is designed to make everyday life easier, and it does a surprisingly great job of it.

With the rear seats in their normal position, you get 238 litres of boot space - decent for the weekly shop or a couple of cabin-sized suitcases. But here’s where it gets clever: the rear bench slides forward up to 16 cm, which expands the boot to a very usable 351 litres. That’s more than what you get in a Fiat 500e or MINI Electric, and it makes a real difference when you need that extra bit of room without folding the seats down. As well, all seats in the Hyundai Inster can be folded completely flat, making it ideal for those spontaneous shopping trips or weekend adventures with bulky gear.

Storage throughout the cabin is smart and thoughtful. There are cup holders, door bins that actually fit bottles, and a floating centre console that leaves room for bags or extra items underneath. USB ports in both the front and back keep devices charged. Plus, the Inster’s high roofline and wide-opening doors also make it easy to get in and out.

Hyundai Inster Electric Range, Charging & Performance

When it comes to electric power, the Hyundai Inster EV proves that big range can come in small packages. The Inster is available with two battery choices, tailored to suit different needs and budgets. The entry-level model comes with a 42kWh battery paired to a 97PS (71.1kW) electric motor. It's ideal for city dwellers or those with shorter daily journeys, offering plenty of punch for urban driving without overdoing it on price.

But if you're after a bit more range confidence, step up to the 49kWh battery version with a slightly meatier 115PS (85.5kW) motor. This variant offers up to 229 miles (WLTP) of driving range on a single charge. For a car that's smaller than many petrol superminis, that’s seriously impressive.

Furthermore, charging the Inster is as stress-free as its driving experience. Both battery variants support DC fast charging, with the capability to charge from 10 to 80% in just 30 minutes when hooked up to a 100kW charger. That makes it a great electric car for quick top-ups at motorway services or shopping centres. At home or on slower public chargers, the Inster supports AC charging at up to 11kW, so you can get a full charge overnight using a dedicated wallbox.

While it’s no sports car (nor does it pretend to be), the Hyundai Inster delivers a smooth and responsive drive. The instant torque from the electric motor gives it that classic EV zip off the line, perfect for darting through traffic or nipping into gaps. Also, ride comfort is excellent for an electric car of its size, and the cabin remains pleasingly quiet thanks to the electric drivetrain and good insulation. Whether you're cruising through the city or navigating back roads, the Inster EV offers a refined, confident driving experience that’s far more enjoyable than you might expect.

Hyundai Inster Price UK & Specifications

One of the Hyundai Inster’s most appealing features is its surprisingly accessible price tag. In a world where many EVs are still priced at premium levels, the Inster rolls in like a breath of fresh financial air. UK pricing starting at just £23,505 for the entry-level Inster 01. This comes with 15” alloy wheels, smart cruise control, a dual 10.25” screen, and much more.

As the mid-range option, the Inster 02 is priced from £26,755. This has bigger 17” alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, heated front seats and steering wheel and flat-folding driver & passenger seats, just to mention a few. Up from this, the Hyundai Inster Cross is designed for adventure and pricing starts from £28,755. This comes with additions like an electric glass sunroof, cross 17” alloy wheels and the INSTER Cross Design Package.

Furthermore, the Hyundai Inster EV offers a vibrant palette of paint options to suit every personality. The standard Natural Ivory solid paint comes at no extra cost. For just £300, you can opt for a subtle upgrade with Atlas White solid paint. Premium paint choices are also available for a higher cost, or you can opt for a two tone combination.

Hyundai Inster Safety & Reliability

Despite its small footprint, the Hyundai Inster comes packed with big-car safety credentials. The car manufacturer has loaded the Inster with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), making it one of the safest choices in the compact EV segment. Standard across all trims is hill-start assist control, lane keep assist, lane follow assist and intelligent speed limit, amongst others. Also, the Inster’s rigid body structure and strategically placed airbags offer solid crash protection. Although it’s too new for an official Euro NCAP rating, the automaker’s track record for top-tier safety scores bodes well.

As for reliability, Hyundai is one of the most trusted brands in the business, consistently ranking high in customer satisfaction and dependability surveys. The Inster benefits from Hyundai’s 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and an 8-years or 100,000 miles battery warranty, ensuring peace of mind for years to come.

Hyundai Inster Lease

​Leasing the Hyundai Inster offers an affordable and flexible way to experience this compact electric SUV. With GB Vehicle Leasing, you’ll benefit from fixed monthly payments, low initial costs, and tailored contract terms. At the end of the lease term, you simply return the electric car and choose your next model — ideal for drivers who enjoy regularly upgrading to the latest tech and features.

All our Hyundai Inster lease deals include a full UK manufacturer warranty and free delivery to mainland UK. For business users, the Inster is an even more compelling option. As a pure electric vehicle, it qualifies for low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rates, making it a highly cost-effective choice for company car drivers or fleets. Whether you're looking for an eco-conscious city car, a second family vehicle, or a smart business solution, Hyundai Inster leasing offers unbeatable value.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Inster combines funky styling, an impressively roomy interior, and clever tech. Whether you're a city commuter looking to ditch petrol or a small family needing everyday practicality, the Inster delivers on all fronts. Its value-for-money proposition is hard to ignore, especially with Hyundai’s solid safety features and dependable warranty backing everything up. In a fast-growing world of electric vehicles, the Inster doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It simply excels at being a smart, practical, and fun-to-own compact EV. With all factors considered, GB Vehicle Leasing believes the latest Hyundai Inster deserves an overall score of 4.0 out of 5 stars.

Why not, explore the latest electric car lease deals with GB Vehicle Leasing. If you enjoyed our Hyundai Inster review, click here to read more blog content from our marketing team.