Hyundai Inster: The retro dwarf
Recognizing a Hyundai is not that easy - after all, the Koreans create an almost completely unique design language for each model. For the new Inster compact car, the maxim was: retro.
No, this is not the new Suzuki Ignis - even though the look is very similar to the recently discontinued Japanese model. It is the Inster, the latest small car model from Hyundai. If you don't recognize it straight away, you'll be forgiven, because the Koreans hardly follow a consistent design language, reinventing themselves with every model. The Inster combines a touch of retro with the practicality of a small car. There is also a fully electric drive and all this at a price of less than 24,000 francs.
With a length of just 3.83 meters, there is space for four people or up to 1059 liters of luggage. Depending on whether more space is required in the trunk or more knee room for passengers in the rear, the rear seat can be moved lengthways by 12 centimetres. In addition, all four seats can be completely folded down individually, so that there is even room for a mattress and the Inster becomes a mini camper.
Hyundai offers two engine versions for the Inster, either with 71 kW/97 hp and a 42 kWh battery or with 85 kW/115 hp and a 49 kWh battery. This enables the small car to accelerate to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds - which is perfectly adequate for city traffic. Thanks to the short wheelbase of 2.58 meters and precise steering, the Inster is also agile on country roads and is even great fun to drive.
Thanks to its low consumption of 14.9 kWh/100 km, the Inster can cover up to 370 kilometers on a single charge. However, recharging takes place at a mere 85 kW, so that a charge from 10 to 80 percent takes a good half hour. This is less practical for long distances, but not a problem for an affordable city car like the Inster. The Inster also has to do without the expensive 800-volt architecture. However, Vehicle-to-Load is still on board, so that the coffee machine can be plugged in or the e-bike charged both inside and out.
The Hyundai Inster is now available for 23,990 Swiss francs in the basic "Origo" trim, with the more upmarket "Vertex" costing 33,500 Swiss francs. By the way: The "Cross" variant is also available, which does not turn the Inster into an off-road vehicle, but still offers a cool roof rack with an off-road look.
