Head-to-head
Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Hyundai Inster
At $39,000 the Hyundai Inster undercuts the Hyundai Ioniq 5 by $37,200 (49%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · SUV
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Hyundai's retro-futuristic Ioniq 5 shares mechanicals with the Kia EV6 but adopts a more upright, lounge-like cabin and pixel-art lighting. The N performance variant brings tracky thrills to the family EV space.
- From
- $76,200
- Range
- 507 km
- Battery
- 84 kWh
Option B · Hatch
Hyundai Inster
Hyundai's tiny city EV pitches Australian buyers a sub-$40k Korean alternative to the Chinese-built BYD Dolphin and MG 4. Modest performance but characterful design and clever interior packaging.
- From
- $39,000
- Range
- 360 km
- Battery
- 49 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Hyundai Inster, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 goes 147 km further on a charge (507 vs 360 km WLTP).
- 2
Battery · advantage Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 carries a 35.0 kWh larger battery (84 vs 49 kWh).
- 3
DC charging · advantage Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 accepts 113 kW more DC peak charging (233 vs 120 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 4
Price · advantage Hyundai Inster
The Hyundai Inster undercuts the Hyundai Ioniq 5 by $37,200 (49%) on starting price.
- 5
Boot · advantage Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 swallows 247 L more cargo with the rear seats up (527 vs 280 L).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins
- ▸ 147 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (7.4s vs 10.6s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (233 kW vs 120 kW)
Where the Hyundai Inster wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $37,200
Hyundai Ioniq 5
What we like
- ✓ Distinctive design inside and out
- ✓ Class-leading 800V fast charging
- ✓ Cavernous flat-floor interior
What we don't
- ✕ 5-year vehicle warranty trails Kia
- ✕ Rear visibility hampered by tall belt-line
- ✕ Wide turning circle for the segment
Hyundai Inster
What we like
- ✓ One of the cheapest Korean EVs in Australia
- ✓ Quick DC charging for the class (120 kW peak)
- ✓ Configurable interior with sliding rear seats
What we don't
- ✕ Slow 0–100 even by city-EV standards
- ✕ Shorter battery warranty (100,000 km vs 160,000 km on Kona)
- ✕ Not yet ANCAP tested at launch
Frequently asked: Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Hyundai Inster
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Hyundai Inster?
- The Hyundai Inster is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $39,000 versus $76,200 for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, a $37,200 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 507 km, 147 km further than the Hyundai Inster's 360 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 233 kW versus 120 kW for the Hyundai Inster. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 does 0–100 km/h in 7.4 seconds — 3.2 s quicker than the Hyundai Inster's 10.6 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the Hyundai Inster better value than the Hyundai Ioniq 5?
- On paper the Hyundai Inster is $37,200 cheaper, but trails the Hyundai Ioniq 5 on the core measurable specs. The saving might still be worth it if you don't need the extra range, power or charging speed — but the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the spec-sheet winner.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Hyundai Ioniq 5
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (147 km further per charge)
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
- ✓ you regularly load it up (247 L more boot)
Choose the
Hyundai Inster
if…
- ✓ you want to save $37,200 on the sticker
- ✓ you match the profile: city singles
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.