BYD Seal vs Hyundai Inster
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
BYD Seal scores higher, 77 vs 75
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 7 Sep 2026, price 14 Nov 2026
BYD Seal
20 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 no dataFrom
$52,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 230kW
- Energy use
- 17 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 400L
Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 75, but the Hyundai Inster is $15,490 cheaper
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
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.
$52,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$37,500RRP
- no option data for this car
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
BYD Seal Premium
$52,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 14 Nov 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $222 a week in repayments ($52,990 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 $15,490 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
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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 BYD SealDriva 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 BYD Seal at 5 stars (2023) and the Hyundai Inster at 4 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Seal and 70% for the Hyundai Inster, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD Seal, 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 7 of 10 key systems on the BYD Seal 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
BYD Seal
None open on our record
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
82.5kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW 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 BYD Seal features a 15.6-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 BYD Seal stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate and Dynaudio audio — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Inster. The Hyundai Inster counters with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BYD Seal gets leather upholstery while the Hyundai Inster offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the BYD Seal and 1-zone in the Hyundai Inster.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BYD Seal uses a Electric producing 230kW and 360Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
The Hyundai Inster responds with a Electric making 71.1kW and 147Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the front wheels.
The BYD Seal has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 71.1kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 82.6kWh (BYD Seal) vs 42kWh (Hyundai Inster), giving WLTP ranges of 570km and 327km. DC fast charging peaks at 150kW (BYD Seal) vs 120kW (Hyundai Inster).
Space & Comfort
The BYD Seal measures 4,800mm long on a 2,920mm wheelbase, 975mm longer than the Hyundai Inster at 3,825mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the BYD Seal and 280L in the Hyundai Inster, giving the BYD Seal a 120L 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 0.8 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.4 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 BYD Seal costs about $816 a year (17 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 $144 a year less for the Hyundai Inster.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000 km (BYD Seal) and 5 years / unlimited km (Hyundai Inster).
Where each one leads
The BYD Seal: more power (230kW against 71.1kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (400L against 280L) and the longer warranty not tied to dealer servicing (6 years against 5).
The Hyundai Inster: the lower starting price ($37,500 against $52,990) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($672 a year against $816).
The Verdict
BYD Seal scores higher, 77 vs 75
The BYD Seal scores 77 to the Hyundai Inster's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 7 of the 9 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (BYD Seal ahead by 34 points), energy efficiency (Hyundai Inster ahead by 20 points), safety (BYD Seal ahead by 14 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Hyundai Inster costs about $144 less (14 kWh/100km against 17 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 400L in the BYD Seal, 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 BYD SealDriva 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, BYD Seal and Hyundai Inster?
The Hyundai Inster is the cheapest at $37,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Seal by $15,490.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BYD Seal has the most range at 570km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BYD Seal accepts the highest DC charging at up to 150kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BYD Seal holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023) and Hyundai Inster holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Seal has the largest boot at 400L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BYD Seal has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BYD Seal has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 6 years / 150,000 km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BYD Seal makes the most power at 230kW.
Track the BYD Seal & Hyundai Inster
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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.
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