Alfa Romeo Junior vs Hyundai Inster
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Alfa Romeo Junior
From $45,900
SUV
Petrol
Petrol MHEV
100kW
4.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
415L
Hyundai Inster
From $39,000
Sedan
Electric
Electric
71kW
—
4★ ANCAP
280L
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Price Breakdown
The Alfa Romeo Junior starts from $45,900 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Inster opens at $39,000. That makes the Hyundai Inster the more affordable entry point by $6,900.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $50,490 and $42,900 respectively.
The Hyundai Inster qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Alfa Romeo Junior, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
42kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 120kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 120kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Alfa Romeo Junior features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Inster gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Junior stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, power tailgate and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Hyundai Inster. The Hyundai Inster counters with Apple CarPlay and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Alfa Romeo Junior uses a Petrol MHEV producing 100kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a dct to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.9 seconds.
The Hyundai Inster responds with a Electric making 71kW and 147Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.6 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Junior has the clear power advantage at 100kW vs 71kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Junior is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Alfa Romeo Junior measures 4,170mm long on a 2,557mm wheelbase, 345mm longer than the Hyundai Inster at 3,825mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Inster generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 415L in the Alfa Romeo Junior and 280L in the Hyundai Inster, giving the Alfa Romeo Junior a 135L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 10.8m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Junior) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Inster). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Alfa Romeo Junior if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Inster if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Junior takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Alfa Romeo Junior has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Alfa Romeo Junior and Hyundai Inster?
The Hyundai Inster is the cheapest at $39,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Alfa Romeo Junior by $6,900.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Alfa Romeo Junior uses the least fuel at 4.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai Inster all hold a 4-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Alfa Romeo Junior has the largest boot at 415L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Alfa Romeo Junior makes the most power at 100kW. The Alfa Romeo Junior is quickest to 100km/h in 8.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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