PlainEV

Hyundai Inster vs Smart #2

· Real-world figures, not WLTP

Hyundai Inster
Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hyundai Inster

INSTER Standard Range

£22,995 · 158 mi

Wins 9 of 13

the Smart #2 concept car that previewed it
Photo shows the Smart #2 concept car that previewed it.Photo: JustAnotherCarDesigner, CC0

Smart #2

#2 35.8 kWh (MY27)

£20,000 · 137 mi

Wins 4 of 13

Our verdict

The Hyundai Inster and Smart #2 are both electric hatchbacks in the city car class. The Hyundai Inster starts at £22,995 in the UK and the Smart #2 at £20,000, comparing the cheapest version of each.

The Inster goes further, with about 158 miles of real-world range against 137 for the #2. On top of that, it charges faster on a rapid charger (60 kW against 50 kW on average, 10–80%), uses less energy (4.1 mi/kWh against 3.9 mi/kWh) and has the longer warranty (5 years against 3).

The #2 is £2,995 cheaper to buy new (£20,000 against £22,995). On top of that, it has the bigger boot (305 litres against 280).

There's little between them on acceleration.

Choose the Hyundai Inster if you want the longest range and quicker charging stops and the Smart #2 if you want the lower price and more boot space.

Written from the figures below, comparing the cheapest UK version of each. Other versions can differ: open them in Compare to swap versions.

Hyundai InsterSmart #2

Price

Price new
£22,995on sale now
£20,000 (best)on sale now
Used from (estimated)
£10,9002024 car
–too new
Price per mile of range
£145 (best)
£146

Range and efficiency

Real-world range
158 mi (best)255 km, estimate
137 mi220 km, estimate
Range today, used (estimated)
about 152 mi2024 car, est.
–
Efficiency
4.1 mi/kWh (best)153 Wh/km, estimate
3.9 mi/kWh159 Wh/km, estimate
Range with one 15-min stop
165 mi (best)266 km
139 mi223 km

Charging

Rapid charging
60 kW (best)10–80% average
50 kW10–80% average
Home (AC) charging
11 kW
11 kW
Charging plug
Type 2 CCS
Type 2 CCS
Vehicle-to-load (V2L)
Yes
Yes
Vehicle-to-home (V2H)
No
No
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G)
No
No

Battery

Usable battery
39 kWh (best)estimate
35 kWhestimate
Battery chemistry
NCM (nickel manganese cobalt)
LFP (lithium iron phosphate)
Heat pump
Yes (best)
No

Body and performance

Body style
Hatchback
Hatchback
Size class
A · City car
A · City car
Seats
4 (best)
2
Drive
Front-wheel drive
Rear-wheel drive
0–62 mph
11.7 s0–100 km/h
11.6 s (best)0–100 km/h
Weight
1,380 kg
1,215 kg

Size

Length
3.83 m12 ft 7 in
2.75 m9 ft
Width (without mirrors)
1.61 m5 ft 3 in
1.67 m5 ft 6 in
Width with mirrors
–
1.94 m6 ft 4 in
Height
1.58 m5 ft 2 in
1.56 m5 ft 1 in
Wheelbase
2.58 m8 ft 6 in
1.88 m6 ft 2 in

Practicality and safety

Boot space
280 litres
305 litres (best)
Towbar available
No
No
Towing (braked)
Not approved
Not approved
Max payload
425 kgpeople and luggage
–
Euro NCAP rating
4 stars
–not tested yet

Warranty (UK)

Car warranty
5 years (best)unlimited miles
3 yearsunlimited miles
Battery warranty
8 years100,000 miles, 70% capacity
8 years (best)125,000 miles, 70% capacity
Passes to next owner
Yes
Yes

Availability

Status
On sale new
On sale new
Model years
2024 on
2026 on

Green marks the better figure in each row. Range is a real-world estimate, not WLTP. Used prices are estimates. Warranty terms are UK terms from each maker’s website.

Every version

Hyundai Inster

Smart #2