Hyundai INSTER Lounge: new top version starting at €25,995

The Hyundai INSTER Lounge is the new luxury version of Hyundais smallest electric car. With a more elegant interior, unique design details, and the option of two battery packs, the INSTER Lounge offers a distinctly different style. The price starts at €25,995.

The familiar INSTER gets a new vibe

The Hyundai INSTER is now recognized as one of the most distinctive small electric cars available today. With a length of 3.83 meters, it remains compact enough for crowded cities and tight parking spaces, while Hyundai has managed to create surprisingly ample interior space. The smart layout of the interior plays a key role in this. The seats can be adjusted and folded in various ways, making the car much more practical than its size would suggest. Its driving performance also feels more mature than one might expect from such a small EV.

At its core, the new Lounge version changes little. Hyundai makes the differences mainly through interior styling. This adds a third distinct style option alongside the regular INSTER and the more ruggedly designed INSTER Cross. The Cross aims to appear more adventurous with its modified bumpers, protective elements, and roof racks. In contrast, the Lounge focuses on comfort and a luxury-oriented appearance.

The Hyundai INSTER Lounge stands out especially inside

The difference is most noticeable as soon as you get in. The Hyundai INSTER Lounge features fabric and leather upholstery, with the ceiling lining and sunroofs also having a knitted texture. Hyundai combines Dark Grey with Mint Green and uses Glow Mint for various accents. This gives its interior a significant departure from the more functional look of the regular INSTER.

Fortunately, this additional styling does not come at the expense of flexibility. The front seats can be fully folded down, and the rear seats are both adjustable and movable. The cargo floor can also be customized. This remains one of the INSTER’s strengths, as you can relatively easily choose between more space for passengers or additional cargo capacity.

A 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a similarly sized central infotainment screen are also part of the equipment. With these, the Lounge mainly changes what you see and feel, rather than affecting how the INSTER is technically structured.

Glow Mint and custom 17-inch wheels

Hyundai has made enough changes to the exterior as well to make the Lounge recognizable. The front features a modified grille and bumper grille, along with specific 17-inch alloy wheels. Silver trim elements add an extra touch of distinction from the regular versions.

The most notable addition is likely the new body color, Glow Mint. Those who prefer to draw less attention can choose from Atlas White, Unbleached Ivory, Tomboy Khaki, and Abyss Black Pearl. It all remains fairly subtle. Hyundai hasn’t tried to turn the Lounge into a completely different car. The pixel lighting, high body profile, and distinctive proportions that make the INSTER so recognizable remain unchanged.

Options of 42 and 49 kWh

For propulsion, Hyundai relies on a well-known technology. The Hyundai INSTER Lounge is available with a 42 kWh battery pack and an electric motor of 71 kW, or 97 horsepower. Those who want greater range and power can opt for the 49 kWh battery pack paired with an electric motor of 84 kW or 115 horsepower.

With the larger battery pack, the Lounge’s maximum range is approximately 360 kilometers according to WLTP standards. This is slightly less than the maximum 370 kilometers claimed by Hyundai for some versions of the regular INSTER. The Lounge’s 17-inch wheels play a role in this. Those who examine the technical specifications of the INSTER see that wheel size and configuration affect overall fuel consumption and range.

With a suitable DC charger, the battery pack can be charged from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes under favorable conditions. AC charging is possible at up to 11 kW. The standard INSTER also supports DC charging up to 73 kW.

Starting at €25,995, but not necessarily the most expensive INSTER

The Hyundai INSTER Lounge with a 42 kWh battery pack costs €25,995. This makes it €3,500 more expensive than the current base version of the INSTER, which is listed at €22,495 in the Dutch price list. Hyundai charges €27,695 for the Lounge model with a 49 kWh battery pack. The larger battery pack adds an extra €1,700 in cost.

Interestingly, Hyundai introduces the Lounge as the new top model, but that doesn’t mean it automatically becomes the most expensive INSTER. The regular Evolve Sky Plus currently starts at €29,995, while Hyundai charges even €30,995 for the Cross Sky Plus. Consider the Lounge rather as the most luxurious and design-focused variant in the lineup, rather than simply the model at the top of the price list.

For an additional €1,295, an Advanced Pack is available. This includes features such as heated front seats, steering wheel heating, wireless phone charging, colored interior lighting, a rain sensor, and full LED lighting at the front. The pack also adds an extra USB-C port in the back and interactive pixel lighting on the steering wheel.

Hyundai INSTER Lounge makes the choice harder

The addition of the Lounge doesn’t necessarily make the INSTER lineup clearer, but it does make it more interesting. For those who want to drive an electric vehicle as cheaply as possible, there’s little reason to skip the base versions. The Cross remains the logical choice for those who prefer a more rugged design. The Lounge targets a different customer: someone looking for a compact EV but who doesn’t want to settle for a simple interior.

The INSTER model works particularly well in this regard. The car already features a smart layout and drives with considerable maturity for its compact size. A version that focuses mainly on materials and interior atmosphere thus feels less niche than the Lounge name might suggest. Of the two versions, the 49 kWh variant seems especially interesting. For an extra €1,700, you not only get more battery capacity and a maximum WLTP range of around 360 kilometers but also 115 horsepower instead of 97. Those who are already planning to spend around €26,000 on the more luxurious INSTER will likely want to seriously consider this difference.

Text: Marc Verweij