Hyundai Inster

FIRST UK DRIVE Electric city car uses a few tricks to make the most of interior space, but will have to face up to talented rivals

- Ellis Hyde

THREE years after we first heard rumblings that an electric version of Hyundai's Korean-only Casper city car might be coming to Europe, the Inster has finally arrived in Britain. We drove an early left-hand-drive car in November last year (Issue 1,856) but now we're behind the wheel of a production-ready model on UK roads.

If it wasn't obvious, the Inster is now Hyundai's entry-level EV, and is available from £23,505. That's a few hundred pounds more than the base Renault 5, and a little higher than the Citroen e-C3 - our reigning Car of the Year that now starts from just over £22k. The e-C3's closely related but much funkier sister car, the Fiat Grande Panda EV, is priced from under £21k.

There are three Inster trim levels – 01, 02 and the 4x4-inspired Cross – and two battery sizes. The most basic model gets a 42kWh Standard Range unit, while the rest feature a 49kWh Long Range pack. However, it’s worth noting that the Inster is strictly a four-seater, like the Dacia Spring.

Standard equipment includes a heat pump that helps to preserve range in the colder months, dual 10.25-inch displays, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, a rear-view camera and adaptive cruise control.

Most buyers will probably upgrade to 02 spec – the version we're testing here. It costs £26,755 and gets the bigger battery plus extra kit including 17-inch rims, LED lights, roof rails, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, ambient interior lighting, fold-flat front seats and the all-important sliding rear bench.