Hyundai gets INSTER-esting with baby EV

Funky and functional, Hyundai's INSTER light SUV EV

IN AN attempt to show EVs can be fun as well as functional, Hyundai launched the INSTER, a light (read ‘small’!) SUV targeting urban and inner-urban drivers.

Although similar to the petrol-powered Venue, the INSTER is aimed towards a younger demographic, although practical, the design could be described as ‘funky’.

The upright body is van-like, but with a forward motor component there is a sense of a traditional car, but in scale model form.

With squared-off lines, the INSTER is boxy, this adds to the efficiency of the design, there are no odd-shaped entry points, maximising use of the available space.

From head-on, the lower grille section gives the impression of a clown face, with inflated lips and and round, widely-set, eyes, almost like an inverted remora fish.

The ‘wheel on each corner’ design means the INSTER sits like a go-kart, giving maximum stability despite the narrow track.

Flared guards front and rear add a touch of toughness, as well as practicality, pushing the rear wheel arches further out for maximum load-carrying capacity.

Best of all, everything is in proportion, especially length to height, it doesn’t look stretched, all adding to the overall appeal.

There are plenty of ‘easter eggs’ around the car, little touches that take a couple of viewings to recognise them, like the high-mounted rear door handles up on the C-pillar, rather than the door.

Form and function in the INSTER cabin

The ‘dare to be different’ approach continues inside, while the dimensions are compact, it packs plenty in.

Bigger and taller drivers will notice the reduced cabin width, the footwell is narrow, my size 11 shoes fitted, it was like sliding into a cocoon, your legs are encapsulated in the space formed by the centre stack, instrument cluster and door.

The flat-bottomed steering wheel helped with entry and exit, sliding my thighs across the seat, but it was still a tight fit.

With a similar-sized passenger, the shoulder room is tight, we fitted without touching, but the margins were close.

The narrow seats were comfortable, but I could feel the seat back bolsters trying, if not always succeeding, to hold me in place.

I also needed a deeper seat base, it stopped short of fully supporting me, while not an issue on on shortish drives - less than 20km - I wasn’t so sure on longer distance and duration drives.

That comes to the point of the car though, it is an inner-urban runabout not a long distance cruiser, the reality is more people live in cities and don’t take long drives, they are the target market.

Without going down the ‘rabbit hole’ of EV ‘greenness’, Hyundai uses recycled PET plastics for the black seat facings, although the dash crash pad is leather wrapped.

The INSTER is well equipped, with a central 10.25” touchscreen for the audio, navigation and information, including power usage and energy generation graphics, with Apple and Android connectivity and wireless phone charging, manual internal mirror and climate control airconditioning.

This last is interesting, recognising automatic airconditioning can be a big power drain on EVs, Hyundai has three levels of operation, allowing the driver to reduce energy usage with the option of full power airconditioning available on demand.

Thumb controls on the steering wheel operate audio, telephone and cruise functions, rear-mounted paddle shifters adjust the level of energy capture by the regenerative braking system.

The four-seat cabin is well laid out and practical, including a sliding rear seat, maximising leg room or luggage space as required.

My coffee addiction appreciated the twin cupholders under the central armrest, the trade-off is oddments storage is sliding drawers at the base of the centre stack.

Although ‘only’ offering 71Kw/147Nm and a top speed of 140km/h, our test car was the Standard Range version, there is also an Extended Range with two motors and more battery storage, and it was no slouch, easily keeping pace with commuter traffic.

Fast launches, an EV specialty, are easy in the INSTER, it happily leapt away from traffic lights, hitting 60km/h ahead of surrounding cars.

The Standard Range has 15” rims, compared to 17” on the Extended Range, but it gets a comfortable ride, helped by the taller sidewalls (for the same rolling diameter) absorbing more of the initial impact.

Firm suspension settings allow the car to corner well, although the short wheelbase and narrow track conspire to transmit larger bumps into the cabin, despite the tall tyres.

The INSTER handles well, the overall height balanced by the under-floor battery packs creating a stable platform.

Steering is direct, accurate and predictable, desirable in any car but especially welcome in a car designed for zipping in and out of tight spaces.

Driver-selectable regenerative braking not only controls energy capture but reduces brake wear, thanks to magnets used to generate power which also slow the car, the more power generated, the greater the braking force.

Driving in ‘iPedal’ mode, for maximum energy capture, you don’t touch the brake pedal, just modulate accelerator pressure to alternate between ‘Go’ and ‘Stop’ as needed.

While it takes a little getting used to, once you master the technique, it becomes second nature.

Would I have an INSTER? Unlikely, because my lifestyle is different, I do long drives and tow a car trailer.

That said, if I was living in the inner city and only driving across town, or in stop-start traffic, this would be on my shopping list.