Hyundai Inster vs Renault Megane E-Tech
Two electric SUVs 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 23 Oct 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.
Renault Megane E-Tech
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 9 no dataFrom
$50,000
est. RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 160kW
- Energy use
- 16 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 440L
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.
$37,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$50,000est. RRP
- 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
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.
Renault Megane E-Tech Techno
$50,000
Estimated RRP (the brand lists drive-away prices only), before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
$54,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by Renault Australia
About $231 a week in repayments ($54,990 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
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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 Renault Megane E-Tech at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2022). 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 85% for the Renault Megane E-Tech, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Renault Megane E-Tech, 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 Renault Megane E-Tech.
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
Renault Megane E-Tech
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
55kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 130kW 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 Renault Megane E-Tech gets a 9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Inster stands out with Apple CarPlay and V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Renault Megane E-Tech. The Renault Megane E-Tech counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, BOSE audio 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 Renault Megane E-Tech offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Hyundai Inster and 2-zone in the Renault Megane E-Tech.
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 Renault Megane E-Tech responds with a Electric making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds.
The Renault Megane E-Tech has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 71.1kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 42kWh (Hyundai Inster) vs 60kWh (Renault Megane E-Tech), giving WLTP ranges of 327km and 454km. DC fast charging peaks at 120kW (Hyundai Inster) vs 130kW (Renault Megane E-Tech).
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Inster measures 3,825mm long on a 2,580mm wheelbase, 375mm shorter than the Renault Megane E-Tech at 4,200mm (2,685mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Renault Megane E-Tech generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 280L in the Hyundai Inster and 440L in the Renault Megane E-Tech, giving the Renault Megane E-Tech a 160L 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 0.2 m tighter, 10.6 m against 10.8 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 Hyundai Inster costs about $672 a year (14 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Renault Megane E-Tech about $768 a year (16 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $96 a year less for the Hyundai Inster.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Inster) and 5 years / Unlimited (Renault Megane E-Tech).
Where each one leads
The Hyundai Inster: lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($672 a year against $768).
The Renault Megane E-Tech: more power (160kW against 71.1kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (440L against 280L).
The Verdict
Level at 75: here's what splits them
The Hyundai Inster and Renault Megane E-Tech are level on the CarSorted Score at 75 each, so neither takes the overall call. What splits them: performance (Renault Megane E-Tech ahead by 18 points), safety (Renault Megane E-Tech ahead by 14 points), energy efficiency (Hyundai Inster ahead by 13 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Hyundai Inster costs about $96 less (14 kWh/100km against 16 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 280L in the Hyundai Inster, 440L in the Renault Megane E-Tech.
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 Renault Megane E-Tech?
The Hyundai Inster is the cheapest at $37,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Renault Megane E-Tech by $12,500.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Renault Megane E-Tech has the most range at 454km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Renault Megane E-Tech accepts the highest DC charging at up to 130kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Hyundai Inster holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025) and Renault Megane E-Tech holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like.
Which has the most boot space?
The Renault Megane E-Tech has the largest boot at 440L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The Renault Megane E-Tech makes the most power at 160kW.
Track the Hyundai Inster & Renault Megane E-Tech
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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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