This Cheap Hyundai EV With 220 Miles Of Range Would Be Perfect For America – The Autopian

Every so often, American car buyers gaze wistfully at overseas offerings as an interesting vehicle goes on sale there, and it doesn’t just happen with rare performance cars and tiny off-roaders. This is the all-electric Hyundai Inster, and while it’s already slated for sale in most global markets, it really ought to come to America as a Venue replacement thanks to solid range, good DC fast charging numbers, and an aggressive expected starting price.

Hyundai already sells a subcompact crossover in America, and it flies somewhat under the radar. The Venue is affordable, starting at $21,275 including freight, but it’s approaching its fifth model year on the market, and given Hyundai’s relatively short model cycles, that likely means it’s due for replacement soon. While it’s likely that an eventual successor will stay the combustion-powered course, the Inster EV would make an absolutely dandy entry point to Hyundai’s electric range in North America, should the brand decide to sell it here.

On first glance, the Inster is properly tiny, measuring 8.5 inches shorter and six inches narrower than the already small Venue. However, despite its diminutive footprint, the Inster actually features more rear six-tenths of an inch more rear legroom than the Venue and identical front legroom. Cargo space with the seats up clocks in at a modest 8.4 cu.-ft., but sliding rear seats can expand that to 12.4 cu.-ft. at the expense of rear legroom, a compromise that seems fine for a city car.

While a standard range model with a 42 kWh battery pack will be the entry point to the Inster range in much of the world, the battery pack I’m more interested in is the upgraded 49 kWh long range unit. Not only does Hyundai claim it’s good for up to 220 miles of range on the admittedly optimistic WLTP cycle, it drops the reported zero-to-62 mph time down from 11.7 seconds to 10.6 seconds, and boosts horsepower from 95 to 113. Not head-turning numbers, but certainly good enough numbers for everyday use. Speaking of good enough numbers, both battery packs can DC fast charge at 120 kW, a solid figure for an entry-level EV.

Zooming back out for a second, it’s definitely obvious that the Hyundai Inster is really just an electric version of the Korea-only Casper crossover, but it’s a funky looking thing with enough touches to distinguish itself. The new four-spoke wheels are nifty, the new LED headlights create an interesting signature, the pixel-like taillights tie this EV in with the rest of Hyundai’s electric range, and the simplification of the front end works well with the relatively utilitarian styling.

However, don’t let the cheerfully basic exterior fool you, because the cabin of the Hyundai Inster offers really everything an entry-level car buyer could want on its options list. We’re talking dual 10.25-inch screens, 64-color ambient lighting, automatic climate control, USB-C charging ports, a heated steering wheel, parking sensors, the lot. Add in vehicle-to-load capability, and we have what seems like a grown-up EV in a city-sized package. Excellent.

Now, keep in mind that the Hyundai Inster hasn’t been announced for America. It’ll be sold in Korea, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region, and should do so for reasonable coin. Based on prior announcements, pricing in Europe is expected to start at less than €25,000 including VAT, and thanks to assembly in South Korea, it shouldn’t be hit with the same tariffs a China-assembled EV would be subject to. Would a Hyundai EV less expensive than the Kona Electric do well in North America? I reckon it would, as the drivers with the warmest reception of EVs are often young and lowering the bar of affordability is always welcome. So, pretty please, Hyundai? Can we have the Inster?

(Photo credits: Hyundai)

Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.

Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.