Hyundai Inster vs MG IM5
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Level at 75: here's what splits them
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 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
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.
MG IM5
24 of 27 standard · no option data · 3 no dataFrom
$55,450
est. RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 217kW
- Energy use
- No data
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 457L
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.
MG IM5: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h, turning circle and energy consumption.
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
- cannot be matched: Heated Front Seats and Ventilated Front Seats not offered
$55,450est. RRP
- with the Hyundai Inster's standard kit: $55,450 (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.
MG IM5 Premium 75 RWD
$55,450
Estimated RRP (the brand lists drive-away prices only), before on-road costs. Checked 14 Oct 2026
$60,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by MG Australia
About $259 a week in repayments ($60,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
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 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
The MG IM5 has the higher ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2025) against 4 stars (2025), both tested 2025. Adult occupant protection scored 70% for the Hyundai Inster and 89% for the MG IM5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 10 of 10 key ADAS systems on the MG IM5, 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 10 on the MG IM5.
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
MG IM5
None open on our record
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
75kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 153kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 153kW 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 MG IM5 gets a 26.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Inster stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the MG IM5. The MG IM5 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Inster gets cloth upholstery while the MG IM5 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Hyundai Inster and 2-zone in the MG IM5.
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 MG IM5 responds with a Electric making 217kW and 450Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels.
The MG IM5 has the clear power advantage at 217kW vs 71.1kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 42kWh (Hyundai Inster) vs 75kWh (MG IM5), giving WLTP ranges of 327km and 490km. DC fast charging peaks at 120kW (Hyundai Inster) vs 153kW (MG IM5).
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Inster measures 3,825mm long on a 2,580mm wheelbase, 1106mm shorter than the MG IM5 at 4,931mm (2,950mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG IM5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 280L in the Hyundai Inster and 457L in the MG IM5, giving the MG IM5 a 177L advantage.
The Hyundai Inster turns in a 10.6 m circle, kerb to kerb; the MG IM5's turning circle is not on our record.
Cost to own
We do not hold a like-for-like fuel or energy figure for both cars, so we do not cost them against each other.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (Hyundai Inster) and 7 years / unlimited km (MG IM5).
Where each one leads
The Hyundai Inster: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the MG IM5.
The MG IM5: more power (217kW against 71.1kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (457L against 280L).
The Verdict
Level at 75: here's what splits them
The Hyundai Inster and MG IM5 are level on the CarSorted Score at 75 each, so neither takes the overall call. What splits them: performance (MG IM5 ahead by 20 points), safety (MG IM5 ahead by 14 points). Boot space with the seats up: 280L in the Hyundai Inster, 457L in the MG IM5.
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 MG IM5?
The Hyundai Inster is the cheapest at $37,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the MG IM5 by $17,950.
Which has the longest driving range?
The MG IM5 has the most range at 490km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The MG IM5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 153kW.
Which is safest?
The MG IM5 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars (2025).
Which has the most boot space?
The MG IM5 has the largest boot at 457L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The MG IM5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The MG IM5 makes the most power at 217kW.
Track the Hyundai Inster & MG IM5
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!
