Hyundai is yet to have a strong grip on the Indian EV market. The Kona and Ioniq 5 seemed promising, yet couldn’t fetch high sales numbers. One has to wonder, what fate might the Inster EV meet?
The design language is quirky. It may divide public opinion. Some may find it cute and purposeful for urban areas, whilst others may find it hideous. Hyundai wanted to bring some freshness into its design, and this seems to be their solution. Only time will tell whether or not the Indian public would welcome this approach.
The interior, on the other hand, is simple and contemporary. The inside of the Inster seems rather roomy. The global variant comes with a lot of equipment as standard. ADAS, a 360-degree parking camera, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display are just some of the noteworthy features of the long equipment list.
The battery pack is a measly 42 kWh which produces a modest 97 horsepower when it’s mated to the single electric motor. One can opt for a higher variant and get a 49 kWh battery which helps churn out 115 horsepower. Given that the car is targeted at people living in urban areas, it has sufficient range for city drives as well . Hyundai claims that the smaller battery pack can provide 300 km of range, while the long-range model can give almost 370 km.
The Inster seems like a decent fit for the Indian market. Hyundai hasn’t picked up the pace in the EV market yet, and this could be the answer. Many people might fancy its funky looks, while others would opt for its expected competition, which are the Tata Punch EV and Citroen eC3. Hyundai India hasn’t announced their plans for the Inster yet, and their focus seems to be towards the Creta EV at the moment. A launch prior to mid-2025 seem improbable as of now.
The Inster lacks exuberance and there aren’t many notable points that can make it stand out from its rivals. However, Hyundai could still sell the Inster in abundance if they fill it with features and price it attractively. You could anticipate the pricing to start at 12 lakh rupees, which is in the same cost bracket as the Tata Punch EV and the Citroen eC3.