Hyundai Inster vs Tesla Model 3
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Hyundai Inster scores higher, 75 vs 71
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 3 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
Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 71
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.
Tesla Model 3
10 of 27 standard · no option data · 17 no dataFrom
$45,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric Motor
- Power
- No data
- Energy use
- No data
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- No data
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.
Tesla Model 3: we're still completing wheelbase, kerb weight, power, torque and transmission, plus 3 others.
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 not offered
$45,900RRP
- 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.
Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive
$45,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 1 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $189 a week in repayments ($45,900 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 $8,400 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 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 Tesla Model 3 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 90% for the Tesla Model 3.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 5 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control.
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 5 on the Tesla Model 3.
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
Tesla Model 3
- REC-006300 · published 3 Mar 2025Due to a software issue, the Electronic Power Assist Steering system (EPAS) may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-006042 · published 1 Aug 2024Due to manufacturing defect, the bonnet latch assembly may not detect when it is opened by the driver and therefore fail to warn the driver of "open bonnet".Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2024
- REC-005879 · published 30 Jan 2024The rear centre seat position of the Model 3 does not have an accessible top-restraint anchorage point as required by Australian Design Rule 34/03.Year range on the notice: 2023
- 8 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.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Inster features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Tesla Model 3 gets a 16-inch display.
The Hyundai Inster stands out with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging — features our data doesn't list for the Tesla Model 3. The Tesla Model 3 counters with panoramic roof, heated front 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 Tesla Model 3 offers vegan leather with textile inserts.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
Detailed powertrain specifications are not yet available for both models.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Inster measures 3,825mm long on a 2,580mm wheelbase, 895mm shorter than the Tesla Model 3 at 4,720mm.
The Hyundai Inster turns in a 10.6 m circle, kerb to kerb; the Tesla Model 3'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 5 years / unlimited km (Tesla Model 3).
Where each one leads
The Hyundai Inster: the lower starting price ($37,500 against $45,900).
The Tesla Model 3: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the Hyundai Inster.
The Verdict
Hyundai Inster scores higher, 75 vs 71
The Hyundai Inster scores 75 to the Tesla Model 3's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 1 of the 4 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Tesla Model 3 ahead by 20 points), value (Hyundai Inster ahead by 10 points), safety (Tesla Model 3 ahead by 8 points).
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 Tesla Model 3?
The Hyundai Inster is the cheapest at $37,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Tesla Model 3 by $8,400.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Tesla Model 3 has the most range at 572km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Tesla Model 3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 175kW.
Which is safest?
The Tesla Model 3 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars (2025).
Which can tow the most?
The Tesla Model 3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Track the Hyundai Inster & Tesla Model 3
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!
