At the 2024 Busan International Mobility Show, Hyundai Motor Co. unveiled the all-electric Inster. The new A-segment subcompact EV builds on the design of the Korea-only, gasoline-fueled Casper introduced in 2021, with an extended body and wheelbase and a more rugged-looking compact SUV body. It will be badged the Casper Electric in Korea.

While introduced at a Korean show, the specifications and features released are based on the European-model Inster. The car is 3825 mm (150.6 in) long, 1610 mm (63.4 in) wide, and 1575 mm (62.0 in) tall on a 2580-mm (101.6-in) wheelbase. With sliding rear seats, VDA luggage space varies from 280 to 351 L (9.9 to 12.4 ft³).

With the expanded dimensions, it is positioned between traditional A-segment subcompact city cars and larger B-segment compact models, with a more spacious interior and improved luggage capacity. Compared with larger models from the segment above, the Inster’s compact dimensions are said to make it better for city driving and boost convenience when parking.

“With Inster, we’ve taken the small SUV image to a bold new place for the global audience,” said Simon Loasby, Senior Vice President and Head of the Hyundai Design Center. “Inster punches well above its weight with distinctive design and an interior that maximizes its potential in exciting, customer-centric ways. With Inster we’re redefining what it means to drive a subcompact EV.”

The vehicle’s exterior design majors on flush and clean surfaces, strong fenders, a circuit-board-style bumper, and “skid plate” front and rear designs. Lighting highlights are its LED daytime running light signature, pixel-graphic turn signals and taillamps, and LED projection headlamps. Some models get a two-tone exterior with a contrasting black roof. Wheels are 15-in steel with wheel covers, 15-in alloy, or 17-in alloy depending on specification, with a maximum tire size of 205/45 R17.

Inside is a 10.25-in digital cluster, a 10.25-in infotainment touchscreen with navigation, a wireless charging dock, and a compact center console designed to create a greater sense of space. The pixel-graphic theme is repeated inside on the steering wheel boss. Customizable upper door trim garnishes enable owners to personalize their vehicles.

Interior versatility and spaciousness are aided by front-row seating providing walk-through access. All seats including the driver’s folding flat, and second-row seats split 50/50 with sliding and reclining. A front bench seat and heated front seats and steering wheel are available.

The exterior and interior use more sustainable materials. For instance, the exterior features black high-gloss paint that replaces pigment from carbon black with that from recycled waste tires. Recycled polyethylene terephthalate from bottles and bio-polypropylene material from sugarcane are used inside.

The car offers battery packs in standard 266-V 42 kW·h or optional long-range 310-V 49 kW·h. The standard WLTP range is expected to exceed 300 km (186 mi), For a claimed best in its segment, the long-range model with 15-in wheels gets a projected WLTP range of 355 km (220 mi) from an estimated WLTP energy consumption of 15.3 kW·h/100 km.

A single motor powers the car in 71.1 kW (standard range) or 84.5 kW (long range) versions, both offering 147 N·m (108 lb·ft), with 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 11.7 s or 10.6 s and a maximum speed of 140 or 150 km/h (87 or 93 mph), respectively.

The car comes with a standard 11-kW onboard charger with an available battery-heating system and a high-efficiency heat pump. When using a 120 kW-DC high-power station, the Inster can fast charge from 10% to 80% in around 30 min under optimal conditions. AC charging time at 16 A for the standard model is 4 h.

External and internal V2L (vehicle-to-load) functionality allows bi-directional 110-V/220-V charging without requiring additional equipment for external devices such as electric bicycles, scooters, and camping equipment.

The user experience includes 64-color LED ambient lighting, a digital instrument cluster, a one-touch sunroof, near-field communication accessibility, and many advanced safety and driver assistance features.

Hyundai promises that the Inster will offer the most complete ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) technology package in the segment including a surround-view monitor, parking collision-avoidance assist rear, blind-spot view monitor, and forward collision-avoidance assist. Other notable driving assists are rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, safety exit warning, highway driving assist, driver attention warning, and a parking system combining parking distance warning front and rear with a rear-view monitor.

Inster will launch in Korea this summer, followed by Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Most equipment and technologies will come fitted as standard, with enhanced convenience and design features available optionally. Specifications will be confirmed closer to launch.

A variant called Inster Cross featuring a more rugged design will join the family in the future.