Australia's wave of cheaper small EVs is forcing every city car in the segment to answer tougher questions on price. But in a 2026 revisit, the Hyundai Inster still stood apart for one reason rivals have not fully cracked. It manages to deliver family-friendly space in an extremely small footprint.
Here's what to know
A thorough review on YouTube by Sarah Aubrey (@ElectrifyThis) takes another look at the Hyundai Inster. Aubrey compared it against other small EVs she has driven, including the BYD Dolphin Mini/Atto 1, Honda Super-One, Abarth, and Fiat 500e.
As part of that recap, Aubrey said the Inster lineup includes a 42-kilowatt-hour Standard Range rated at about 203 miles, along with the Extended Range at 230 miles and the Cross at 224 miles.
She praised the fact that all three trims offer 10.5-kW AC charging, but said she was doubtful about the claimed 120-kW DC peak. According to Aubrey, real-world fast charging is likely "closer to 80 kW DC charging."
She also liked the retro pixel lighting and said the abundance of physical cabin controls gives the car an old-school kind of feeling.
More than anything else, she focused on how efficiently the Inster uses its interior. Aubrey highlighted the generous headroom and said Sam Parkinson, co-host of The Driven Podcast and owner of the reviewed vehicle, still fits comfortably despite being 6-foot-5.
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When talking about the sliding rear seats, she also said, "This to me is a massive, massive plus with this vehicle."
More background
Competition has changed sharply since the Inster first arrived. Aubrey said low-priced EVs like BYD's are reshaping the category.
Even so, she came away feeling the Hyundai is sturdier and more polished than some of the cheapest alternatives. Aubrey preferred its software to the Honda's, even while saying the interface gave her a "Windows 98 vibe screen," and added that the build quality helps justify at least part of the premium.
That same sentiment appeared in the comments as well.
Among them was a former Inster Cross owner who said it "swallowed everything we threw at it with 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs and picnic for the day."
Another praised Aubrey's honesty on pricing: "BYD has thrown down the gauntlet and everyone else is pretending it didn't happen."
What can be done?
If you're considering making your next car an EV, Aubrey's review focused on real daily needs.
She also highlighted the ownership details that can matter more than appearance, including the Inster's slim width for easier parking. It also has a cable storage area under the floor and an edge over the cheapest BYD in both range and DC charging.
EVs can also help drivers save money on fuel and cut down on routine maintenance compared with gas-powered cars.
"It's very versatile, this car. It's really impressive," Aubrey concluded.
Where can I learn more?
The EV market is changing at a fast pace across markets as automakers act quickly.
• In Australia, EV sales surge under subsidies as automakers question how durable demand really is.
• BYD is pushing its bargain Seagull EV into the U.K., raising pressure on city-car pricing.
• Hyundai is betting its Ioniq 9 can win bigger families with space, despite sticker concerns.
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