Hyundai Inster vs Hyundai Kona Electric
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Hyundai Inster scores higher, 75 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 29 Oct 2026
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 70
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.
Hyundai Kona Electric
16 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 not offered · 4 no dataFrom
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 99kW
- Energy use
- 14.8 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 407L
Hyundai Australia offer: $43,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 31 Dec 2026. See the offer
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
Maker'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 maker prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
Hyundai Kona Electric: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$37,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$46,000RRP
- with the Hyundai Inster's standard kit: $46,000 (nothing to add)
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
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.
Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range 99kW
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 15 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $190 a week in repayments ($46,000 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 $8,500 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.
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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 Hyundai InsterDriva 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 Hyundai Inster at 4 stars (2025) and the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 70% for the Hyundai Inster and 80% for the Hyundai Kona Electric, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Hyundai Kona Electric, 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 5 of 10 key systems on the Hyundai Inster and 7 on the Hyundai Kona Electric.
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
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
Hyundai Kona Electric
- REC-006586 · published 9 Apr 2026A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause an electrical short circuit while charging or parked leading to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2023
- REC-001592 · published 23 Aug 2021Due to a manufacturing defect, the battery does not meet specifications and may lead to an electrical short which could start a fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- REC-000605 · published 28 Jan 2021A software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) may significantly reduce braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 1 more on the model page.
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
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.
How long to charge
48.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.4kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Inster features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Kona Electric gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Inster stands out with V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Kona Electric. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Inster gets cloth upholstery while the Hyundai Kona Electric offers premium cloth. Climate control is 1-zone in the Hyundai Inster and 2-zone in the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Inster uses a Electric producing 71.1kW and 147Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed to a FWD layout.
The Hyundai Kona Electric responds with a Electric making 99kW and 255Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the clear power advantage at 99kW vs 71.1kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 42kWh (Hyundai Inster) vs 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric), giving WLTP ranges of 327km and 370km. DC fast charging peaks at 120kW (Hyundai Inster) vs 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric).
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Inster measures 3,825mm long on a 2,580mm wheelbase, 530mm shorter than the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4,355mm (2,660mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Kona Electric generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 280L in the Hyundai Inster and 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric, giving the Hyundai Kona Electric a 127L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); both turn in a 10.6 m circle, 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 Hyundai Inster costs about $672 a year (14 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Hyundai Kona Electric about $710 a year (14.8 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $38 a year less for the Hyundai Inster.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Inster) and 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Kona Electric).
Where each one leads
The Hyundai Inster: the lower starting price ($37,500 against $46,000) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($672 a year against $710).
The Hyundai Kona Electric: more power (99kW against 71.1kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (407L against 280L).
The Verdict
Hyundai Inster scores higher, 75 vs 70
The Hyundai Inster scores 75 to the Hyundai Kona Electric's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 8 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Hyundai Inster ahead by 27 points), energy efficiency (Hyundai Inster ahead by 5 points), value (Hyundai Inster ahead by 5 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Hyundai Inster costs about $38 less (14 kWh/100km against 14.8 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 280L in the Hyundai Inster, 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric.
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 Hyundai InsterDriva 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, Hyundai Inster and Hyundai Kona Electric?
The Hyundai Inster is the cheapest at $37,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric by $8,500.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the most range at 370km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Hyundai Inster accepts the highest DC charging at up to 120kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Hyundai Inster holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025) and Hyundai Kona Electric holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2023). 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 Hyundai Kona Electric has the largest boot at 407L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Kona Electric makes the most power at 99kW.
Track the Hyundai Inster & Hyundai Kona Electric
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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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