Hyundai Inster Cross: test, how it is made, autonomy and price

Does it make sense to buy an electric car today? To answer this question we must naturally focus on the use we intend to make of it. A battery-powered car is very convenient in certain environments, such as city environments, where the absence of a gearbox is undoubtedly an advantage. But to be more than just a second family car, a city car must offer reasonable range and sufficient charging speed. There Hyundai Inster Cross falls perfectly within these parameters: in soli 3.85 meters in length offers a battery of 49 kWh and one mileage up to 360 kmhigher numbers than much larger cars. Thanks to the great modularity of its passenger compartment, it comfortably accommodates four adults and their luggage, to easily tackle even a weekend away. The only setup available, already complete with everything in the standard equipment, starts from a price list of 29,650 euros.

1The meaning of an electric city car

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The ideal environment for an electric car is the city, where the intrinsic characteristics of its engine allow it to perform at its best. Continuous braking between traffic lights and traffic are in fact ideal opportunities to recharge the battery by taking advantage of regenerative braking, and it is here that the first undoubted benefit comes out. THE’absence of a changeespecially when compared with manual small cars, makes comparison with typical driving much simpler and more relaxing stop and go that the city imposes. Not to mention, but this is perhaps obvious, the total absence of noise: another benefit in terms of on-board well-being. Last but not least, it is worth underlining the possibility of free and unrestricted access to many limited traffic areas in Italian cities, where circulation is restricted or there is a charge for the most polluting cars: an example is area C in Milan.

2Futuristic design

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Among the A-segment electric proposals, the Inster Cross focuses decisively on an unmistakable design, which does not necessarily want to please everyone. The square, robust and futuristic shapes allow it to stand out in traffic, despite a length of just 3,845 mm, a width of just 1,610 mm and a height of 1,580 mm. The wheels at the ends of the bodywork have instead made it possible to obtain a 2,580 mm wheelbase, to the benefit of internal habitability. The front is distinguished by the segmented round headlights, surmounted by the square lights which are also repeated at the rear. The muscular sides are equipped with off-road style bumper stripsan aesthetic appeal that is also seen in the roof bars and the metal bumper guards at the front and rear. The search for efficiency is instead recognized in some interesting details, such as the retractable front air intakes, which open to let the engine breathe or remain closed to improve aerodynamics.

3The technique

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Under the bodywork there is an interesting technical basis, starting from the permanent magnet synchronous motor located at the front which delivers more than sufficient power of 115 HP and a torque of 147 Nm, data that allows the Inster Cross to reach a top speed of 150 km/h and sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds. The data that stands out the most, however, is the battery capacity: with 49 kWhis significantly higher than the average of other small A-segment cars. Combined with great energy efficiency, with a declared consumption of 15.1 kWh/100 km and an even lower one, the 360 km of autonomy communicated by the company are not only realistic, but almost reductive in relation to the possibilities of the car.

4Spacious and versatile

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The interior of the Inster Cross is designed to offer maximum space for the four occupants for which it is approved. Those sitting in the front find great comfort thanks to the absence of the central tunnel, in place of which two cup holders have been created. If the exteriors have a futuristic aesthetic taste, the interior is instead more classic and linked to traditions of the past: the inevitable 10.25″ digital screens for dashboard and infotainment they are integrated by numerous physical keys. In the lower part of the dashboard there is in fact a sort of console for controlling the climate control, complete with a private display, useful for avoiding distractions from driving by searching for commands in the various menus. Great attention was also paid to ergonomics, with a large number of storage compartments: two on the dashboard, the highest one with a charging plate for the phone, large pockets on the doors and a well that crosses the entire dashboard horizontally, which also contains the USB-C sockets for charging. Passenger comfort is another issue on which the Inster Cross places great attention: the passenger compartment is bright thanks to the large windows and the sunroof at the front, while the seats are heated. At the back, the two seats slide independently of each other and allow the trunk to be expanded from 238 to 351 litreswhile by breaking them down a flat compartment is obtained 1,059 litres. The only flaw is the parcel shelf, which is not attached to the tailgate and therefore does not lift automatically when opening it: it must be detached to load more easily.

5How it rides on the road

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The main intended use of a city car is obviously the urban environment, the one where the Inster Cross proves most at ease. Thanks to its small size it moves easily in traffic, even taking advantage of one Light but communicative steering and the ability to adjust regenerative braking. In fact, using the paddles behind the steering wheel, it is possible to change the setting energy recoverypassing from level zero where it is completely absent up to function i-Pedal where the car is driven with the accelerator alone. The complete Adas equipment makes navigation in traffic easier and even more so are additional equipment such as the cameras under the mirrors which are activated together with the indicators, framing the lower part of the car and allowing you to avoid collisions with pavements and other invisible obstacles. It would be wrong, however, to consider Inster Cross only as a pure town: the power and torque are more than enough to tackle the motorway at the speed limit of the Highway Code, while the large battery allows you to travel easily over 350 km. During our test, over a total distance of more than 500 km we recorded an overall average of approx 13.5 kWh/100 km. If on the motorway the Inster Cross is between 16 and 17 kWh/100 km, in the city it is not impossible to go down to around 11, therefore making it realistic to reach close to 500 km in the urban cycle. The Eco driving mode will be the most used in the city: it reduces consumption by slightly cutting the power and response of the engine during acceleration. With the Comfort, however, you can travel easily even outside, while still maintaining consumption within a reasonable level, while the Sport offers greater liveliness and acceleration. There is also a Mud/Snow mode to deal with slippery road conditions with greater peace of mind.

6Pros and cons

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Here’s what convinced us more and less about the Hyundai Inster Cross:

• Versatility: comfortably accommodates four adults in 3.85 m and offers ample loading space for luggage thanks to the sliding seats
• Ergonomics: you can see the attention to detail in the passenger compartment, which offers plenty of storage spaces and intelligent solutions
• Efficiency: thanks to the large battery it has ranges worthy of higher segment cars. Consumption is really low

• Hatbox: the weak point of a well-structured trunk. It is not attached to the tailgate, but to the rear seats, therefore it does not lift and must be removed completely for loading operations
• Price: the Inster Cross certainly doesn’t want to be a car for everyone, but the starting price of 29,650 euros, even with such complete equipment, is high for a car in this segment