Hyundai Inster vs Volkswagen Polo

What's the difference?

VS
Hyundai Inster
Hyundai Inster

$27,990 - $48,694

2025 price

Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Polo

$30,790 - $41,790

2026 price

Summary

2025 Hyundai Inster
2026 Volkswagen Polo
Safety Rating

Electric motor type
Permanent Magnet

Turbo 3, 1.0L
Vehicle type
Battery Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Electric range
327 km

5.4L/100km (combined)
Energy consumption
14.3 kWh/100km

Battery capacity
42.00 kWh

Seating
4

5
Dislikes
  • Too expensive
  • Roof box storage eats into driving range
  • Width is tight with two on board

  • Too expensive, not enough kit for the money
  • Some turbo/DCT lag
  • Firm ride on less-than-smooth roads
2025 Hyundai Inster Summary

There are really only four things you need to know about the all-new Hyundai Inster. It's small outside, yet surprisingly big inside. It's all electric. It's cute as a button. And it's as practical as a Swiss army knife.

Actually, there's one more thing. It's cheap for an EV. But it's still not that cheap, given the wave of cut-price Chinese product now on our shores.

So, can the Hyundai Inster carve itself a slice of the entry-level EV market?

 

View full pricing & specs
2026 Volkswagen Polo Summary

The Volkswagen Polo is about to turn 30 in Australia but, by 1996, it was already 21-years and three generations old in Europe.

As the least-expensive jumping-on point for the brand here today (RIP VW Up!), the Polo has deftly juggled affordability with the premium pricing that its German engineering demands.

But, at nine-years old, and in an era of newer, hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) and often cheaper alternatives from China and elsewhere, is the ageing Polo as convincing?

We test the mid-spec CityLife to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Hyundai Inster 2026 Volkswagen Polo

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