Hyundai Inster, the electric city car that aims high

Giannantonio Pettinelli In the increasingly crowded panorama of electric city cars, the Inster represents the latest in Hyundai's electric vehicles, offering an ideal solution for urban mobility thanks to its compact size, distinctive design and advanced technological features. With a length of 3.82 meters, a width of 1.61 meters and a height of 1.57 meters, the Inster is positioned as an electric city car in SUV format. The modern and futuristic design is characterized by rounded shapes, circular headlights and pixel lighting, taken from the Ioniq series, which give it a strong personality. Despite its compact size, the passenger compartment offers considerable interior space, with a wheelbase of 2.58 meters that guarantees unparalleled habitability. The trunk varies from 238 to 351 liters, depending on the position of the sliding rear seats, and can reach 1,059 liters with the rear seats folded down. We had the opportunity to test it on the road for several days, in urban and extra-urban contexts, to discover the strengths and weaknesses of a car that certainly has all the credentials to become a point of reference for its segment. The version we tested on the road is equipped with a 115 HP (85 kW) electric motor and a 49 kWh battery, which guarantees a range of up to 370 km in the WLTP mixed cycle and which becomes a good 518 km in the urban cycle. The maximum speed is limited to 150 km/h, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds. For charging, Inster supports up to 85 kW in direct current, which allows you to go from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes. In alternating current, however, you get to 11 kW, more than enough for a home charge or on standard public columns. The Inster stands out for its agility and maneuverability in urban traffic thanks to its small size and tight turning circle. The soft suspension also ensures high comfort even on rough roads. The low center of gravity, typical of electric cars, contributes to good stability, although the roll when cornering is noticeable. Acceleration is smooth and adequate for the needs of city driving.

Once on board, you will be surprised by the spaciousness of the passenger compartment, considering the external dimensions. The sliding and separately reclining rear seats increase the versatility of the interior space. In terms of technology, the Inster features an advanced infotainment system, with a 10.25-inch LCD display that makes managing functions intuitive and allows you to customize the driving experience. The high-resolution navigation system provided as standard supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, customized profiles, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, while voice recognition simplifies vehicle control without distractions. Hyundai Bluelink technology is also present, for remote control of the vehicle status and various functions: through the dedicated application, for example, it is possible to manage the locking or unlocking of the doors, the climate control, and charging sessions. Bluetooth multi-connection also allows you to connect two devices simultaneously and the integration of EV-specific content provides real-time information on charging stations and autonomy. The Hyundai Digital Key (available on request) allows you to unlock and start the vehicle with your smartphone via NFC technology and share digital keys with up to 7 users. Features include door handles with touch sensor and, as standard, a Smart Key system with Start Button. The ADAS equipment is complete. Among other things, there is automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, active lane keeping, driver fatigue detection, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. During our test, the systems proved to be precise and non-invasive, contributing to a relaxed and safe drive. Hyundai Inster prices start at 24,900 euros for the XTech version with a 42 kWh battery, with 327 km of official average autonomy and a 97 HP engine. For the 49 kWh and 115 HP version, always XTech, the euros needed for the purchase are 26,650.