Electric City Hatch from Hyundai to be branded as Hyundai Inster; potential release in Australia outlined

Hyundai Inster and Casper Electric: Compact Electric Vehicles for the Future

Hyundai is set to release two exciting new electric vehicles (EVs) in the near future: the 2025 Hyundai Inster and the upcoming Casper Electric. Let's take a closer look at these compact EVs and how they compare to other models in their segment.

Hyundai Inster: A Compact City Hatch with a Long-Range

The Hyundai Inster is a compact electric city hatch that offers a choice between a 42 kWh battery (standard range) and a Long-Range 49 kWh battery, with power outputs of 71.1 kW (97 PS) for the base and 84.5 kW (115 PS) for the Long-Range version. It delivers an all-electric driving range of up to 355 km (WLTP), charging from 10–80% in about 30 minutes at a 120 kW DC station, and features an 11 kW onboard charger for home charging.

Key features include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, wireless phone charging integrated into the center console, and advanced safety and driver assistance technologies. The car is very compact, measuring about 3.8m long and 1.6m wide, with a tall 1.6m height giving a boxy but spacious feel.

Performance-wise, the 49 kWh Inster accelerates from 0-62 mph in around 10.6 seconds, with instant torque useful around town but less powerful on the motorway. Top speed is below 100 mph, with the smaller battery variant slower at 11.7 seconds 0-62 mph and a 140 km/h top speed. The car’s narrow width is ideal for tight city traffic, and it drives with good composure and dynamics relative to similarly priced small EVs.

Hyundai Casper Electric: A Compact Crossover with a Range of Up to 400km

The electric version of Hyundai's compact Casper crossover, known as the Casper Electric, has been spied on public roads. Hyundai is planning to release the Casper Electric in 2024, and it is expected to have a driving range of up to 400km. The Casper Electric is likely to use a closed design for its grille to further announce its status as an electric vehicle, replacing the mesh grille found on the petrol version.

The Casper Electric shares its platform with the i20 and Kia Picanto and, if introduced in Australia, would likely compete against the MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3. More details about the Casper Electric will be confirmed when it debuts at the Busan Motor Show in Korea next week.

Comparing the Hyundai Inster, Fiat 500e, and MG ZS EV

The Hyundai Inster stands out for offering one of the highest ranges in its segment (up to 355 km WLTP), fast charging capability, a well-rounded tech package, and a narrow, highly maneuverable body making it ideal for city use. However, it is slower on motorways compared to competitors with bigger motors and batteries like the MG ZS EV.

The Fiat 500e is also a retro-styled urban electric hatch with a smaller battery roughly around 42 kWh offering around 180-200 km range, with a similar city-oriented performance but less range than the Inster’s long-range variant. The MG ZS EV is a larger subcompact SUV with bigger battery packs (typically 44.5-72 kWh) and more power than the Inster. It is less city-focused and more versatile for longer drives but bigger and less nimble for tight urban environments.

Release Details

The Inster became available at the end of July 2025, with variants and extended range options rolling out since then. The Casper Electric is expected to be released in 2024, with more details to be confirmed at the Busan Motor Show next week.

Summary table:

| Feature/Spec | Hyundai Inster (2025) | Fiat 500e | MG ZS EV | |---------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Battery options | 42 kWh / 49 kWh | ~42 kWh | 44.5 kWh / 72 kWh | | Power output | 71 kW (97 PS) / 84.5 kW (115 PS) | ~87 kW (standard) | Up to ~150 kW | | Range (WLTP) | Up to 355 km (Long Range) | ~180-200 km | Up to ~440 km (top battery) | | 0-62 mph acceleration | 10.6 sec (Long Range), 11.7 sec (Standard)| ~9 sec (sport version) | ~8.5 sec | | Top speed | <100 mph | ~93-99 mph | ~90-110 mph | | Charging | 120 kW DC fast charging, 11 kW onboard | Max ~85 kW DC fast charging | 87 kW (fast charging) | | Key tech | 10.25” cluster & infotainment, V2L, wireless charging | Infotainment touchscreen, smartphone integration | Advanced ADAS and infotainment| | Dimensions (L x W x H) | ~3.8m x 1.6m x 1.6m | ~3.6m x 1.6m x 1.5m | ~4.3m x 1.8m x 1.6m | | Urban maneuverability | Excellent, very narrow | Good | Less good (larger size) | | Release date | July 2025 | Since 2020 | Since 2020 |

The Inster is a strong contender for buyers prioritizing range, tech, and compact city usability, whereas Fiat 500e focuses on style and smaller city range, and MG ZS EV targets bigger battery/power and versatile usage.

Electric City Hatch from Hyundai to be branded as Hyundai Inster; potential release in Australia outlined