Mat’s Car of the Day: the Hyundai Inster is a funky little bargain at £230 per month

There are quite a few funky, small electric cars on the market right now. You’ve got the retro Renault 5 and the chunky Citroen e-C3, but today I want to focus on the Hyundai Inster.

It looks like it just came from outer space, and it offers something which the Renault and Citroen don’t. Here are three reasons why you should consider leasing a new Hyundai Inster.

Three things I love about the Hyundai Inster

I love the way the Hyundai Inster looks, with its pixel LED lights and cute proportions making it stand out on the road. Styling is subjective though, so here are three other cool features.

1. It’s insanely practical

Practicality is the main reason to buy an Inster over a Renault 5 or Citroen e-C3, because it blows those cars out of the water in terms of interior and boot space. Mid-spec cars and up get really clever sliding rear seats, which in their rearmost position offer limousine-like legroom. You can also slide them forward to give you 350 litres of boot space, 25 litres more than you get in a Renault 5.

Fancy a camping trip in your Inster? Well, you can fold both the front seats down to create a totally flat load area. Just chuck an air mattress in and you’re good to go.

2. There’s loads of great tech

All versions of the Hyundai Inster come with adaptive cruise control with auto-steer, meaning it’ll keep you centred in your lane and a safe distance from the car in front. The system works really well, and once you get to your destination and need to park up, the 360-degree camera is really crisp and clear. It makes tight parking manoeuvres a breeze, although this is only offered on the top-spec model.

3. The interior is really cool

The Inster’s cabin is like no other small car. I love the light trims and the check pattern on the seats, and the front seats are a full-width bench with cupholders in the middle. It’s like sitting on a sofa, and it makes the cabin feel cozy.

Hyundai Inster lease deals

Another reason to get a Hyundai Inster is the price, because it’s quite affordable when you consider what you’re getting for the money. Prices start from just under £24,000, but you can save an average of £5,000 when you buy through Carwow.

But I think it makes more sense to lease an Inster, because I’ve found a great deal through Carwow Leasey.

You can get the mid-spec 02 model for just £230 per month on a four-year contract with an upfront payment of just over £3,000. That’s about the same as you’ll pay for a Renault 5, but if you need a small car with plenty of interior space then the Inster is the car to have.

If you need more than 5,000 miles per year, you can double the limit to 10,000 miles for an extra £14 per month. It’s a real bargain.

Three drawbacks to the Hyundai Inster

While the Hyundai Inster is a great small EV, it’s not perfect. Here are three drawbacks to consider before buying.

1. A Renault 5 is better to drive

The Inster is easy to drive in town,and it’s comfy enough, but the Renault 5 has the edge if you want to have some fun behind the wheel. It remains flatter through the corners, and the steering is more direct.

2. It feels cheap inside

The interior might look cool, but the plastics do feel a bit cheap and scratchy. I can forgive the Inster for this because it is an affordable car, but if you want a small EV which feels posh inside then you might want to check out a Peugeot e-208 instead.

3. The brakes are a bit grabby

Around town, the regenerative braking system makes it easy to drive in traffic without touching the brake pedal. However, when you do have to press the pedal it can be tricky to bring the car to a stop smoothly. The brakes feel a bit like an on-off switch, with just a fractional movement of your foot bringing you to an abrupt halt.

But these little niggles are pretty easy to forgive, because the Inster is cheap, practical and full of character.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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