The Inster again? Have you already tested that car? That’s right, but then it was a short round with a pre-production model. This time we were able to travel more extensively and simply by car in the Netherlands. The next step is of course a double test with consumption figures and measurements. So high expectations for that Hyundai Inster. Why exactly? Seemingly out of nowhere, a new entry-level electric segment has been created in a short time. There are also different levels within that segment. With starting prices of around 20,000 euros, the existing Dacia Spring, the Dongfeng Box and the Leapmotor T03 are very evenly matched. Slightly above that, we have been finding the Citroën ë-C3 for some time now, which you can drive from €24,300 and will undoubtedly have more Stellantis imitators in addition to the Fiat Grande Panda. With a starting price of €24,395, the Hyundai Inster falls squarely in this ‘higher entry-level class’, and the French may well be concerned about that on paper. At 327 kilometers, the basic Inster goes just a little further than an approximately equally expensive ë-C3 and is also much more spacious. Adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, speakers and electric windows all around and a complete multimedia system with navigation, Android Auto and Apple Carplay are all standard. Downright impressive, especially when you know that a Citroën ë-C3 basically has no screen at all and adaptive cruise control is not even available there. Nice starting price, but that is probably not the version you drive. That’s right. For starters, there is the larger 49 kWh battery, which costs at least €25,995 (including car). The driving range then increases to 360 or 370 kilometers depending on the wheel size, the power goes from 97 to 115 hp and the ‘Long Range’ version is the only one that can be ordered with (even) more luxury. There are three versions in total, but unlike what we are used to from Hyundai, the top version is not completely complete. You even pay extra for a heat pump, seat and steering wheel heating and extra driving aids, so that the fully loaded test Inster including a color comes to €32,680. What is your first impression of the consumption and range of the Hyundai Inster? We drive the Inster for one day and also make a video on that day, so it is still too early to make a good judgment about consumption. Despite the miserable conditions and the outside temperature of about 8 degrees, the on-board computer shows 17 kWh/100 km and we get about 300 kilometers from the battery. This should certainly be improved in the summer, making the Inster suitable for the vast majority of Dutch journeys, although fuel consumption is somewhat disappointing. How does the Hyundai Inster drive? Unlike the more expensive Ioniq models, the Inster is a front-wheel drive. With 115 hp, this does not cause any major traction problems, even on damp asphalt and at low temperatures. At approximately 1,300 kg, the Inster is a light EV, but a relatively heavy city car. This prevents the light-footedness that you find with many petrol cars in this segment, but we are still impressed by the handling of this little one. It steers and suspension very maturely and offers a lot of comfort, but above all it is very stable. In the subsided Dutch polder landscape, the movement is back out of the carriage in no time after a bump and in fast bends the Inster gives a feeling of confidence, even though it wants to lean. It is not surprising for a car in this segment that short, vicious ridges are concealed in a somewhat unrefined manner. The turning circle is larger than expected, but with its fairly direct steering, the Inster still feels nice and agile. The Inster is therefore very narrow. Do you notice that in the interior space? Certainly, but there is also good news. The limited width of the Inster does mean that the sofa is a strict two-seater and we also find a similar example in the front. At least it seems that way. Secretly, these are two separate chairs, but the seats are extra wide and, with their built-in cup holders, give the impression of a bench. Charming, just like the rest of the Inster interior. Apart from the width, there is plenty of space in all directions, especially in the rear. Even tall Dutch people have plenty of room for their heads and legs there. In most versions, some of the legroom can be sacrificed by sliding the bench forward, which is necessary to bring the luggage space from ‘small’ to ‘acceptable’. With at least 280 liters, the ‘cargo hold’ is not much, but it is equipped with a double floor and a smart parcel shelf. We sit comfortably in the front, although it can happen that your knee hits the ‘gear lever’ located on the steering column.
Source: www.autoweek.nl
