TAS 2025: We want the Hyundai Inster Electric small crossover in PH
As you may already know, Japan is the home of kei cars. These are basically small displacement and small-sized vehicles that come with tax perks and are designed for the country’s narrow streets. They’re also the strongest-selling vehicle segment in their market.
With Hyundai making its Japanese debut not too long ago, the Korean automaker is looking to get a slice of that large market and what better way than to tap the small car heavy market with its smallest vehicle—the Inster.
Making its debut at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Inster for the Japanese market is a small fully-electric crossover. While its dimensions of 3,830mm x 1,610mm x 1,615mm do not meet kei car standards, it is certainly small.
Design wise, it’s very much in line with the brand’s latest models with the signature LED daytime running lights and pixel-graphic design for its turn signals, taillights, and bumpers.
Depending on the variant, it can be equipped with 15-inch steel wheels with covers, or 17-inch alloy wheels. It also comes with LED headlights and a two-tone paint job with a contrasting black roof.
Inside, it is largely like the regular Casper but with a few changes such as a three-spoke steering wheel, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Powering the Hyundai Inster Electric for Japan are options of a single electric motor paired to either a 42 kWh or 49 kWh battery. The former pairing produces 97 horsepower while the latter, 115 horsepower, with both making 147 Nm of torque.
Hyundai projects a driving range of up to 355 kilometers and charge times of 30 minutes from 10% to 80% when using a 120 kW DC charger. An 11 kW charger will come as standard.
The Japanese market is one of the first foreign markets on this side of the world to receive this model. We hope Hyundai Motor Philippines considers bringing it into our market as the small EV market is rapidly growing as well.
