Little car, big energy. The first time you see a Hyundai INSTER in the metal, you can’t help but smile. And once you own one, the novelty of turning heads and seeing it brighten the day of others will never wear off.
Neither will the feeling of confidence that you’ve bought your new electric vehicle (EV) from a brand with nearly 40 years’ experience in looking after Australian drivers. As an EV, the INSTER might be new technology – but there’s peace-of-mind knowing Hyundai has been researching and developing EVs now for decades.
More Australians are ‘going electric’ to take advantage of the Australian Government’s generous EV discount (Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for novated leaseholders) – but also to eliminate their family’s annual fuel bill. When recharged at home, EVs can cost a fraction to run of even a hybrid vehicle.
In this article, Drive speaks to Andrew Tuitahi, Director of Marketing and Product at Hyundai Australia, to learn about Hyundai’s EV experience, how the INSTER is clever, and the importance of buying your EV from a secure brand.
INSTER DNA: Hyundai’s 30 years’ experience engineering EVs
Hyundai Australia launched its first electric vehicle in 2018 but has been researching and developing EV technology for decades. And in the INSTER, it shows, with remarkable EV efficiency as low as 14.3kWh/100km in the Standard Range variant.
With its zippy electric motor and ‘pixel’ exterior design detailing, the INSTER’s credo is that a car should be fun. But beneath its fun-loving exterior is some serious engineering.
“The quality control process for a Hyundai product like the INSTER is incredibly thorough and spans multiple stages, involving a range of test centres, specialised personnel, and rigorous procedures,” Tuitahi told Drive. “Even though the vehicle is manufactured in South Korea, it undergoes testing in multiple global locations, including Europe, America, and Australia.”
In 2023, Hyundai Australia sold its two millionth car. Since Hyundai launched its first EV in Australia in 2018, its electric models have reliably covered millions of kilometres from Burnie to Broome, Perth to Penrith, in all conditions.
“Many households have had a Hyundai, or at least know someone who has, and that kind of trust is something we take very seriously,” says Tuitahi.
INSTER intelligence: the small car with big ideas inside
Jump inside an INSTER and you’ll immediately be struck by three things – the generously large, dual 10.25-inch digital displays with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The rock-solid build quality. And the space.
The INSTER’s electric architecture allows packaging unlike any small car before it. At just 3825mm long, it’ll fit into almost any car space. But the flat floor and generous 2580mm wheelbase give it huge room inside the cabin. The back seat has leg room like a mid-size SUV.
And it’s the back seat where things get very clever – it can slide forward and backwards, giving you the flexibility of a larger boot or bigger second row as you need.
“If you look at the INSTER from the outside, each wheel is pushed right out to each corner of the car,” said Tuitahi. “That means more people and stuff can be packed inside between those wheels. It’s a clever design.”
“Even though I never have to give up on a potential parking spot because INSTER is so tiny, I never seem to run out of interior space. I can comfortably fit my family, friends, dog, luggage and still have room. Then, when you want to fold the seats, the INSTER becomes like a small van.”
Two INSTER variants with DC fast-charging and up to 360km EV range
Hyundai offers two battery choices for INSTER drivers, a 42kWh battery or an optional 49kWh battery. These provide a driving range of up to 293km to 360km between charges. For road trips, both INSTER models support up to 120kW DC fast-charging, and can be topped up from 10 to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes.
“Depending on what I’m doing and where I’m going, I can easily get through my work week on a single charge,” said Tuitahi. “With some occasional trickle charging, I never ever have to stop for fuel when I’m running late!”
All INSTER specifications come with Hyundai’s latest SmartSense active safety system with a long list of features including Driver Attention Warning, Highway Driving Assist, Lane Following Assist and more.
With significantly fewer moving parts than a combustion equivalent, conveniently the INSTER only requires servicing every two years or 30,000km.
Why it’s important to make your EV ‘switch’ with a secure brand
Get an INSTER and you’re not just driving one of the most advanced small EVs on the Australian market. You’re also buying into a secure brand and the fourth-largest car manufacturer in the world.
“It’s easy to focus solely on the car itself,” said Tuitahi. “We’re proud of our products and encourage buyers to compare, but it’s also important to think about the whole ownership experience.
“One thing that can make a real difference down the line is aftersales support. We have a well-established network of over 160 dealerships across the country, meaning customers have access to local support whenever they need it. We also have a dedicated customer support team right here in Australia, ready to assist with any queries or concerns, providing an extra layer of reassurance for our customers.
“Hyundai has been committed to Australia for decades, and we’re proud that we can deliver a great product and the full ownership experience that continues long after the sale of the car.”
It’s this long-term stability, and commitment, that also protects your car’s value when you go to sell it – depreciation being one of the largest costs of new car ownership.
Not that you’ll want to sell your INSTER when you see the reactions it gets.
