The Hyundai Inster Cross 2025: you’re cruising through narrow city streets in what looks like a miniature SUV, but you’ve got more interior space than you’d expect and enough tech to make much larger cars jealous. That’s exactly what Hyundai has created with the Inster Cross 2025 – a compact electric vehicle that’s redefining what we should expect from city cars.
What Makes This Little Crossover Special?
The Inster Cross measures just 3845mm long, 1610mm wide and weighs under 1400kg, making it roughly the size of a shoebox on wheels. Yet step inside, and you’ll be genuinely surprised by how spacious it feels. The concave roof design creates plenty of head room for adults front and rear, while leg room in the back feels practically limo-like for such a small car.
The magic happens thanks to the flat electric vehicle floor and some genuinely clever engineering. All four seats can fold completely flat – even the driver’s seat. This means you could theoretically turn your car into a mobile bedroom for camping trips, though we’d recommend checking local regulations first.
Design That Actually Stands Out
The Inster Cross comes with unique 17-inch alloy wheels, bold black wheel claddings, and an optional roof basket for outdoor gear. It’s available in an exclusive Amazonas Green Matte finish that genuinely looks striking in person. The design team has managed to make this tiny car look like a proper little SUV, complete with wide, rectangular front and rear bumpers that emphasize its off-road capability, along with embossed black claddings for extra protection.
The round pixel LED headlights give it a distinctly modern, almost friendly appearance that stands out in a sea of generic city cars. It’s the kind of vehicle that makes people stop and ask, “What is that?” – and that’s usually a good thing.
Real-World Electric Performance
The Cross variant comes with an 84.5kW motor and 49kWh battery, delivering up to 229 miles of range with 15-inch alloy wheels. In real-world testing, the average consumption hit just 9.8kWh/100km in urban areas – well below the official 14.3kWh/100km claim. This means if you stick to city driving, you might actually exceed the official range figures.
DC fast charging maxes out at 120kW, allowing a 10-80% recharge in as little as 30 minutes. For home charging, using an 11kW charger will take around four hours and 35 minutes for a full charge. The car also includes multiple levels of electricity regeneration up to one-pedal driving via paddles on the steering wheel, making city driving more interactive and efficient.
Tech Features That Punch Above Its Weight
The standard equipment includes dual 10.25-inch infotainment and instrument screens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AM/FM and digital DAB radio, six-speaker audio, embedded navigation with over-the-air updates. The Cross also features heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and artificial leather interior.
One particularly impressive feature is the vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability that accesses the high-voltage battery to power electrical equipment like tools and laptops. This transforms your car into a mobile power station – perfect for camping trips or emergency situations.
The Bluelink connected services let you check on your car, lock or unlock it, and even set your desired temperature, all from your phone. Over-the-air updates keep your navigation current without visiting a service center.
Safety and Practicality Considerations
The regular Inster received a four-star ANCAP safety rating, though the Cross variant awaits its own assessment. Standard safety features include Highway Driving Assist 1.5, Smart Cruise Control, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5. The Cross adds a surround-view monitor, blind-spot view monitoring, parking collision avoidance, and front parking sensors.
However, there are some limitations to consider. There’s no airbag coverage for second-row occupants, which could be concerning for families. Boot space ranges from 280 litres with rear seats in their rearmost position to 1059L with seats folded flat, but there’s no spare wheel – just a tyre repair kit.
The Reality Check: Pricing and Competition
Here’s where things get interesting. In Australia, the Inster Cross starts at $45,000 plus on-road costs, though with optional features like the Amazonas Green matte paint ($1000), it can exceed $50,500 drive-away. This puts it in direct competition with larger, more practical EVs like the BYD Dolphin and MG 4.
There are plenty of more affordable and more practical options for those in the market for a budget EV, but the Inster Cross isn’t really about being the cheapest option. It’s about offering something genuinely different in the electric vehicle landscape.
Who Should Consider the Inster Cross?
This car makes perfect sense for urban dwellers who want electric driving with personality. If you’re someone who values uniqueness over outright practicality, enjoys tech features, and doesn’t need massive cargo space, the Inster Cross could be ideal. It’s particularly appealing for couples or small families who primarily drive in the city but occasionally want to venture outdoors.
The combination of surprising interior space, solid electric range, and distinctive styling creates a package that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. While this is a teeny-weeny model that isn’t as practical as some other EVs you could choose for less money, its size and design is clearly part of its appeal.
Hyundai Inster Cross 2025
The all-new Hyundai Inster has been crowned the 2025 World Electric Vehicle, reinforcing Hyundai’s commitment to shaping the future of electric driving. The Cross variant represents something genuinely fresh in the electric vehicle market – a small car that doesn’t feel compromised, packed with features you’d expect in much larger vehicles.
Yes, you’ll pay a premium for the unique proposition, and it’s definitely not the most practical choice available. But sometimes, choosing a car isn’t just about spreadsheets and value calculations. Sometimes it’s about finding something that makes you smile every time you see it in your driveway. The Inster Cross delivers exactly that kind of personality-driven ownership experience.
ALSO READ: 2025 BYD Shark 6 and Sealion 6 Hybrids Come with $4000 Bonus