By Muhammed Hashim 
The Korean auto giant had already launched the Inster EV in the domestic market and the Inster Cross is a rugged iteration of the same
The Hyundai Inster Cross has been unveiled in Korea and if launched in India, it could rival the Tata Punch EV. Hyundai has been dominating the EV space globally for a long time now. Its E-GMP architecture has produced some of the most popular and critically acclaimed EVs, both for Hyundai and Kia marques. Now wanting to capture the mass market with relatively affordable products, cars like the Inster EV are being launched. To further cater to the sub-set of customers who want adventurous aesthetics with this tiny EV, the Inster Cross has been unveiled.
Hyundai Inster Cross Unveiled
The Hyundai Inster Cross bears mostly exterior customizations and minor interior changes. However, the powertrain remains similar to the regular Inster EV. This means that there are two battery pack options – 42 kWh & 49 kWh. For the larger battery version, the claimed range is 355 km on a single charge. With a 120 kW DC fast charger, the 10-80% replenishment comes up in just 30 minutes. The electric motor generates 71.1 kW (97 PS) and 84.5 kW (115 PS) of peak power, respectively with an identical torque of 147 Nm. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h comes up in 10.6 seconds.
Just for comparison, the Tata Punch EV comes with the option of 25 kWh OR 35 kWh battery packs. These boast range figures of 315 km and 421 km on the MIDC, respectively. The power and torque outputs range from 60 kW (80 hp) / 114 Nm to 90 kW (120 hp) / 190 Nm, respectively. It supports a much slower 50 kW DC fast charger which can recharge 10-80% of battery in 56 minutes. The compact electric SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.5 seconds.
| Specs | Hyundai Inster Cross EV | Tata Punch EV |
| Battery | 42 kWh & 49 kWh | 25 kWh & 35 kWh |
| Power | 97 PS / 115 PS | 82 PS / 122 PS |
| Torque | 147 Nm | 114 Nm / 190 Nm |
| Range | 300 km / 355 km (WLTP) | 315 km / 421 km |
| Acc (0-100 km/h) | 10.6 seconds | 9.5 seconds |
| DC Fast Charging | 30 mins for 10-80% (120 kW) | 56 mins for 10-80% (50 kW) |
Hyundai Inster Cross – Features
We know that modern cars possess top-notch tech and convenience amenities. This is true for both these brands – Hyundai and Tata. In fact, Hyundai has always set benchmarks in this space. It equips its vehicles with cutting-edge technology and new-age connectivity and comfort amenities. This is valid for the Inster Cross EV as well. It wears a special grey cloth with a lime-yellow accent trim combination on the dashboard. The main features include:
- 10.25-inch Infotainment Touchscreen
- 10.25-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
- Navigation
- V2L (Vehicle-to-Load)
- Wireless Charging Dock
- Customizable Upper Door Trim Garnishes
- Front Bench Seat Option
- Heated Front Seats and Steering Wheel
- 50:50 Split Rear Seats with Slide and Recline Function
- 64-Color Ambient Lighting
- One-Touch Sunroof
- Hyundai Digital Key 2 Touch (NFC)
- ADAS Features
- Surround View Monitor (SVM)
- Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear (PCA-R)
- Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM)
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5 (FCA 1.5)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Lane Following Assist (LFA)
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Safety Exit Warning (SEW)
- Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
- Highway Driving Assist 1.5 (HDA 1.5)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
- Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA)
In comparison, the Tata Punch EV’s top attractions consist of:
- Dual 10.2-inch Screens – one for HD Infotainment powered by HARMAN and one for Digital Cockpit Instrument Cluster
- Two-Spoke Steering Wheel with Illuminated Tata Logo
- Google Assistant
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Connected Car Tech
- 200 voice commands in 6 languages for Alexa and Siri
- Type-C USB port
- Auto-dimming IRVM
- Electric Sunroof
- Ventilated Leatherette Seats
- Air Purifier
- Paddle Shifters for 4-step Regenerative Braking
- Over-The-Air (OTA) Updates
- 6 Airbags
- Brake Disc Wiping
- 360-surround View Monitor
- 90-degree Opening Doors
- 366 litres of Boot Space
Design
The main difference between the Hyundai Inster Cross EV and Inster EV is from the outside. In fact, that is the only major point of distinction between the two models. The Inster Cross is for those who want their vehicles to ooze adventurous, go-anywhere vibes. Even though it carries the tall boy stance with modern elements like the rear pixel taillamp unit, the sturdy new components include new front and rear bumpers, a functional roof rack, new 17-inch alloy wheels, sturdy skid plates, matte black claddings all over the body, a roof basket to carry camping equipment and sporting gear among other things. In addition, the Inster Cross EV is available with exclusive colour options including a fresh Amazonas Green Matte.
My View
Hyundai Inster Cross EV is a perfect urban electric car with compact dimensions and enough range to allow daily commutes. In fact, that is where the industry is headed as the growth of EV sales slows down globally. The next phase of growth will be fuelled by affordable electric cars for the masses. That is where products like the Inster EV and Punch EV come into the picture. With the launch in Korea slated for the coming months, it will be interesting to see when Hyundai will bring it to our shores.
Also Read: Tata Nexon EV and Punch EV Score Full Marks at Bharat NCAP
