Hyundai Inster 2025 News

What a month! The war in the Middle East has created serious panic for commuters stung by soaring fuel prices.A way out of that spiral is getting into an electric vehicle (EV), and there are still several models available at heavily-discounted prices to make the transition from internal combustion engines easier.Here are a handful of electric bargains we found online at a minimum of 30 per cent off retail, with odometers capped at 10,000km for that fresh-car feel. Many had barely breached 2500km.To be sure, there must have been at least three examples at the lower prices advertised to make this list at the time of publishing. Most are dealer demonstrators, and all will bring savings if you depend on your vehicle on a daily basis, since the bulk of their early depreciation has already occurred.Kia Niro EVThe second-gen Niro launched in 2022 from an eye-watering $65K, putting punters off from what was a pleasant, competent and likeable mid-sized crossover EV. Sales stalled, and Kia discontinued it. But there are still a handful of MY23 demos at under $40K. That’s over 40 per cent off retail!New price: $65,300 before ORCSeen for: $36,000 drive-away (MY23, demo)Hyundai InsterCharming, chuckable and ideal for urban commutes, the Inster can be had for over 33 per cent off retail if you’re willing to snap up one of the demos doted around the country.New price: $43,500 drive-awaySeen for: $28,990 drive-away (MY25, demo)Renault Kangoo E-TechAbout a half-dozen demo examples of Renault’s terrific little Kangoo E-Tech from 2023 are still available for under $40K, representing another 40 per cent saving. The little French van is also indecently fun. What a bargain!New price: $66,500 before ORCSeen for: $38,000 drive-away (MY23, demo)Hyundai Kona ElectricSpacious, agile and refined, the electric version of the Kona small SUV punches above its weight, as reflected by its current mid-fifties price point. Which means that a 30 per cent saving with just 3000km on the odo make this a no-brainer buy.New price: $54,000 before ORCSeen for: $38,000 (MY24 demo)Audi Q4 45 e-tronOne of our favourite premium EV SUVs, the Q4 e-tron combines high couture with sophisticated engineering, for an on-brand luxury experience that will have you seeking the long way home.New price: $93,000 drive-awaySeen for: $66,000 drive-away (MY25, demo)Ford Mustang Mach-E SelectThe Mustang Mach-E is an enigma. Disregard the baggage associated with the pony-car image and instead revel in a sporty, dynamic and surprisingly practical family car with ample range. Yes, it’s the pre-facelift model, but the savings are worth it.New price: $73,400 drive-awaySeen for: $50,000 drive-away (MY23, demo)Jeep AvengerArguably the most athletic Jeep in history, the Avenger is a sweet-driving, decently packaged and well-presented city-sized SUV with relatively minor off-road capabilities. Built in Poland, it’s related to the Peugeot 2008 EV.New price: $53,990 before ORCSeen for: $37,000 drive-away (MY24, demo)Subaru Solterra TouringSubaru’s version of the Toyota bZ4X has really struggled to secure buyers, with the up-spec Touring launching at nearly $84K before quickly being reduced to $77K. Though facelifted and improved, there are loaded demos advertised in the low-fifties drive-away, offering a lot of EV for the money.New price: $76,990 before ORCSeen for: $53,000 drive-away (MY24, demo)Fiat 500eItalians know how to make a chic urban runabout and Fiat’s stylish 500e is no exception. Rapid yet refined, its small battery is quick to charge, still provides over 311km of WLTP range and the handling is a lot of fun.New price: $52,500 before ORCSeen for: $36,000 drive-away (MY23, demo)

Geely is contemplating adding the Geome supermini/crossover electric vehicle to take on the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai Inster EVs in Australia, as well hybrids like the Toyota Yaris Cross and Subaru Crosstrek. If given the go-ahead, the keenly-priced, Kia Stonic-sized five-door Geome could land here with a mid-to-high $20,000 price tag, which could make it Australia’s cheapest new EV yet.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed the just-revealed high-riding Inster Cross will follow the early 2025 arrival of its city-sized Inster EV SUV line-up.

Hyundai is preparing its new macho mini electric SUV.

The Hyundai Inster is on track to be the cheapest electric car in Australia.Hyundai has revealed a $31.5m won ($33,700) starting price for the Inster in Korea, where it is named Casper Electric.The South Korean brand hasn’t revealed Australian prices yet but a direct conversion would put it at a circa-$33,700 starting point. This would undercut the current cheapest EV cohort that includes the $35,990 drive-away GWM Ora, $38,890 (before on-road costs) BYD Dolphin and the MG4 at $40,990 drive-away.Hyundai’s chances of keeping the prices down work in our favour thanks to a free-trade agreement between Korea and Australia and a relatively short shipping route.Previous reports have put the Inster at between €20,000-€25,000 ($32,000-$40,000), so the Inster is on track to land within that range.Hyundai Australia has confirmed the Inster will land locally in early 2025 and it will be offered in standard and long-range versions.The standard range uses a 42kWh battery to provide a driving range of about 305km. Long-range versions use a 49kWh to deliver a driving range of up to 355km.The Inster is fitted with 400-volt charging architecture, compared to the more potent 800-volt set-up found in its bigger electric cars such as the Ioniq 5.This is cheaper but means it can only accept 120kW max rate of charge, compared to the 800V tech that can theoretically suck up to 350kW of juice.The brand claims it can replenish the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in half an hour.Both use a single electric motor that makes 71kW in the base versions and 85kW in the bigger battery variant. Both make 147Nm of torque.The Inster is based on the Korean-market-only Casper petrol-powered SUV rather than the company’s modular electric car platform. Hyundai has managed to stretch the EV’s wheelbase - the distance between the front and rear wheels - by 180mm compared to the petrol version.Inside the Inster is more spacious than its tiny footprint would have you believe with plenty of head and legroom in both rows. It only has seating for four, though.Fit and finish is excellent with high-quality materials used throughout and plenty of tech features such as a 10.25-inch multimedia screen and a digital driver display of the same size.Buyers can also expect a wide selection of safety tech as standard.

The South Korean brand debuted the new tiny Inster electric SUV at the 2024 Busan motor show and it’s due in Australia early next year.