BMW i4 vs Hyundai Inster
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Hyundai Inster scores higher, 75 vs 73
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 27 Sep 2026, price 29 Oct 2026
BMW i4
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 210kW
- Energy use
- 16.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 470L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Hyundai Inster
15 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 not offered · 10 no dataFrom
$37,500
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 71.1kW
- Energy use
- 14 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 280L
Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 73
Hyundai Australia offer: $35,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 31 Dec 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Drive-away
Ends 31 Dec 2026
Manufacturer's terms: While stock lasts. Not available to fleet, government or rental buyers, or with other offers.
Offer from Hyundai Australia, checked 11 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the manufacturer prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
$88,900RRP
- with the Hyundai Inster's standard kit: $88,900 (nothing to add)
$37,500RRP
- cannot be matched: Heated Front Seats and Ventilated Front Seats not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW i4 eDrive35
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $388 a week in repayments ($88,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Hyundai Inster Standard Range
$37,500
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 29 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $150 a week in repayments ($37,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Hyundai Inster starts $51,400 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
Looking for your next car?
We help you research it, compare it and ask for a price.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$150/wk(≈$651/mo)
Estimate on the Hyundai Inster at $37,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW i4 at 4 stars (2022) and the Hyundai Inster at 4 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the BMW i4 and 70% for the Hyundai Inster, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW i4, against 5 on the Hyundai Inster.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 8 of 10 key systems on the BMW i4 and 5 on the Hyundai Inster.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW i4
- REC-005559 · published 10 Nov 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery may not meet specifications and could discharge or in some instances lead to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005503 · published 23 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery does not meet specifications and may result in an electrical short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
Hyundai Inster
- REC-006635 · published 18 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the shaft in the three-way valve may break and lead to a coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- REC-006394 · published 30 Jul 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the retaining studs under the driver’s seat may not have a safety sealing cap installed during assembly.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
80.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 180kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 180kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
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 BMW i4 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-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 BMW i4 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Inster. The Hyundai Inster counters with Apple CarPlay and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW i4 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Hyundai Inster offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW i4 and 1-zone in the Hyundai Inster.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW i4 uses a Electric producing 210kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6 seconds.
The Hyundai Inster responds with a Electric making 71.1kW and 147Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the front wheels.
The BMW i4 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 71.1kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 67kWh (BMW i4) vs 42kWh (Hyundai Inster), giving WLTP ranges of 527km and 327km. DC fast charging peaks at 180kW (BMW i4) vs 120kW (Hyundai Inster).
Space & Comfort
The BMW i4 measures 4,783mm long on a 2,856mm wheelbase, 958mm longer than the Hyundai Inster at 3,825mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW i4 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 470L in the BMW i4 and 280L in the Hyundai Inster, giving the BMW i4 a 190L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Hyundai Inster's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW i4 costs about $778 a year (16.2 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Hyundai Inster about $672 a year (14 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $106 a year less for the Hyundai Inster.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (BMW i4) and 5 years / unlimited km (Hyundai Inster).
Where each one leads
The BMW i4: more power (210kW against 71.1kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (470L against 280L).
The Hyundai Inster: the lower starting price ($37,500 against $88,900) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($672 a year against $778).
The Verdict
Hyundai Inster scores higher, 75 vs 73
The Hyundai Inster scores 75 to the BMW i4's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 8 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (BMW i4 ahead by 34 points), value (Hyundai Inster ahead by 18 points), energy efficiency (Hyundai Inster ahead by 14 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Hyundai Inster costs about $106 less (14 kWh/100km against 16.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 470L in the BMW i4, 280L in the Hyundai Inster.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$150/wk(≈$651/mo)
Estimate on the Hyundai Inster at $37,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW i4 and Hyundai Inster?
The Hyundai Inster is the cheapest at $37,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW i4 by $51,400.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW i4 has the most range at 430km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i4 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 180kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW i4 holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Hyundai Inster holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW i4 has the largest boot at 470L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i4 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i4 makes the most power at 210kW.
Track the BMW i4 & Hyundai Inster
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
