Category Archives: Hyundai

City cars, electric, Hyundai, Motoring

A quirky, affordable and practical EV city car

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Hyundai Inster 02 Tech Pack

By Bill McCarthy

The Inster is eye-catching electric city car. Combining quirky charm with practical features, it offers a surprisingly spacious interior, advanced tech, and an attractive and competitive starting price of £23,550.

Sometimes, when describing a product – be it a car, a kitchen gadget, or a piece of furniture – as ‘quirky’ can be code for cheap and nasty.  However, quirky can also mean charming, desirable, and fun. The Hyundai Inster, an eye-catching electric city car, fits firmly into the latter category. It is a distinctive but practical EV with a price tag starting from under £24,000.

Rugged and Modern Styling

While its charming looks invite comparisons to the Fiat Panda or Honda e, the Inster has its own unique DNA. It features a boxy shape, wheels pushed to each corner, and a Tardis-like interior. The styling is dramatic and rugged, with plastic-clad wheel arches, a long wheelbase, and eye-catching pixel-pattern LED lights.

A Versatile and Hi-Tech Interior

Stepping inside is a surprise. The cabin feels light and spacious, enhanced by a walkthrough between the fully foldable front seats. A dual 10.25-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard, controlling major functions in a straightforward manner. The column-mounted drive selector frees up space, and the logical layout includes easy-to-use buttons and a wireless charging pad.

Features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluelink Connected Services, a wireless charging pad, 64-colour ambient lighting, and heated front seats and steering wheel on higher models.Heated Front Seats and Steering Wheel (on higher models)

Nippy, efficient and comfortable

Both the standard (42kWh) and long-range (49kWh) models are front-wheel drive. While not rapid by EV standards, instant torque makes the Inster feel quick off the mark.

  • Performance: 0-62 mph in 11.7 seconds (Standard) or 10.6 seconds (Long-Range).
  • Driving Modes: Four modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow) adjust throttle and dynamics for different conditions. In snow mode it tranfers the drive to the other wheel if slippage detected.
  • Refinement: The cabin is well-insulated from wind and road noise, making it a comfortable cruiser.
  • Driving Aids: Features like Smart Cruise Control with emergency stop, i-Pedal single-pedal driving, but the suspension felt a touch on the harsh side.

Fast charging

Like most modern EVs, the Inster supports rapid charging, making it ideal for urban life and longer trips.

  • Fast Charging: Charges from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes using a DC charger.
  • 11 kW Onboard Charger: For convenient home or public AC charging.
  • Battery Heating System: Ensures better charging and performance in cold weather.

Surprising practicality

Initial boot space looks modest at 238 litres, but the flexible layout increases this significantly.

  • Sliding Rear Bench: Increases boot capacity to 351 litres.
  • Fold-Flat Passenger Seat: Creates a long, flat load space for larger items.

Comprehensive safety

The Inster comes with a comprehensive suite of standard safety technology for complete peace of mind.

Standard Safety Features Include:

  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
  • Lane Keeping Assist
  • Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
  • Rear View Camera

Optional Tech Pack at £500

  • Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality with an internal three-pin plug.
  • Digital Key

Models and pricing

  • Inster 01 (42kWh): From £23,495. Includes the 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Smart Cruise Control.
  • Inster 02 (49kWh): From £26,745. Adds the larger battery, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wireless charging pad.

The Hyundai Inster successfully blends quirky, charming design with serious practicality, advanced technology, and decent electric performance. At under £25 for the base model, it’s a standout choice in the EV city car segment.

Factfile

  • Hyundai INSTER 02 + Tech Pack
  • Price: £26,755
  • Mechanical: 115 PS electric motor and 49kWh battery driving front wheels via an automatic transmission
  • Max Speed: 93 mph
  • 0-62 mph: 10.6 seconds
  • Range: 230 miles WLTP
  • Insurance Group: TBC
  • CO2 emissions: 0g/km
  • BiK rating: 3%
  • Warranty: Five years/unlimited miles
Electric/hybrid, Hyundai, Motoring

Santa Fe: Family SUV with premium quality

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Hyundai Santa Fe

By Bill McCarthy

Initially seen as more of a budget choice in the SUV market, Hyundai’s flagship model has transitioned into a full premium offering. As the brand continues to grow strongly, the firm clearly has eyes on the upper end of the market.
Starting at more than £48k, rising to almost £55k, expectations are high for this latest fifth-generation model, which boasts premium features and quality. It also looks radically different, something which split opinion with many who saw it.
Primarily a seven-seater, it comes in three specifications: Premium (as driven here in four wheel drive mode), Ultimate, and the range-topping Calligraphy.
A premium six-seat configuration is also available, as seen on this model.

The Santa Fe’s design has evolved into a more boxy shape, yet Hyundai claims it is more aerodynamic.
The exterior was optimised to reduce the drag coefficient to just 0.29 (down from 0.33 in the previous generation), though it’s hard to believe at first glance.
The model is slightly longer than its predecessor, retaining the same width, while the wheelbase has been extended by a couple of inches.

Yes, it’s a big vehicle—with a head-turning presence, whether parked or in traffic.
It features distinctive H-shaped headlamps and tail lights, complemented by a full-width light bar integrated into the grille.
The SUV sits on imposing 20-inch alloy wheels, framed by equally large wheel arches.
Additional exterior touches include electric-folding door mirrors, privacy glass, a powered tailgate, and integrated roof rails for a rugged aesthetic.

Upmarket interior

The interior is quite an experience – stylish and minimalist, with a curved twin display spanning the dashboard. It exudes a premium feel.
One screen handles infotainment, navigation, and smartphone connectivity, while the other displays real-time driver information.
The touchscreen controls both navigation and infotainment, paired with a high-end 10-speaker audio system and DAB radio.
Smartphone connectivity is via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, alongside Bluetooth with voice recognition.
The vehicle also supports over-the-air (OTA) software updates for various systems.

Executive features include heated front and rear seats, dual-zone climate control, heated steering wheel and 360degree camera for safety.
Convenient USB-C charging points are fitted across all three rows, along with a wireless smartphone charging pad.
The front seats are heated and power-adjustable, with lumbar support for the driver.

Efficiency and performance

Paired with a smooth-shifting automatic transmission, the powertrain combines a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering impressive fuel economy, with around 40mpg exceptional for such a large vehicle.

On the road, it starts silently under electric power, with the petrol engine engaging as you accelerate – though it can sound slightly raucous initially.
It excels on motorways, offering a comfortable ride and ample torque for confident overtaking.

Driving dynamics

For its size, the Santa Fe handles surprisingly sharply, though some body roll is inevitable on tighter bends.
For challenging conditions or off-road, you can easily engage four-wheel-drive mode on this model.

Practicality

Highly versatile, with flexible seating including foldable, twistable, and 60/40 split-folding second-row seats.
With all six seats up, boot space is limited, but it expands to a generous 1,945 litres when needed.
The rearmost seats are spacious and accessible for children, though older adults – particularly seniors – may find entry trickier.

Safety

The Santa Fe comes packed with safety tech, including a full suite of airbags, all wheel drive control, autonomous emergency braking, hill-start and descent control, and lane-keep assist with departure warning.

Verdict

The fifth-generation’ Santa Fe successfully transitions into the luxury SUV segment with bold styling, a premium interior, and impressive tech. Its hybrid’s hybrid powertrain delivers strong efficiency, while the spacious, versatile cabin offers a roomy environment for families. Ride comfort and refinement are good, though some may find the design polarising.

Factfile

  • Hyundai Santa Fe Premium 1.6T Hybrid 6AT 4WD
  • Price: £48,830
  • Mechanical: 215PS, 1598cc 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor driving all wheels via 7-speed, auto gearbox
  • Max speed: 112mph
  • 0-60mph: 9.8 seconds
  • Combine mpg: 38-41
  • Insurance group: 35
  • CO2 emissions: 165g/km
  • BiK rating: 37%
  • Warranty: Five years/100,000 miles