Hyundai Inster – this light and compact SUV just so impressive except for the price
Behind the wheel of Hyundai’s small electric SUV – the Inster, this captivating light five-door SUV is quick to win you over – funky appealing looks, great colours, for both paint and trim, an incredibly spacious cabin for four adults and a great drive experience to boot. Three models, standard range 327km, extended range 360km while an extended Inster Cross version gaining some extra features. I drove the standard range Hyundai Inster with 42kWh battery which took 41/2 hours to charge on my 11kW home charger, on a 120kW fast charger just 30 minutes. Prices run from $39,000 to $45,000 so this is a small car with a big car price. Having said that the Hyundai Inster wins you over the more you drive it – the ladies in the house fell in love with its funkiness, its appealing interior and trim and its ease of driving and parking in a city environment. Its feels strong and solid despite its small dimensions and its extremely comfortable in both seat rows. Its appeal saw it win the 2025 World Electric Vehicle award in April, and it was a Gold winner in the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards – A very appealing light SUV – just a shame about the price.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Hyundai Inster - diminutive electric SUV with loads of character but expensive
Driving an interesting small SUV from Hyundai – the Hyundai Inster, an all- electric light five-door SUV – an interesting small package from the Korean manufacturer, a little funky inside and out, even futuristic. A city focused car, a model designed to give Hyundai a leg up in the battle with the sharply priced Chinese electric cars flooding the market. However, whilst it’s there most affordable model, from $39,000 plus on-road costs it will be a hard sell at that price for a very small SUV. Having said that its appeal, both visually and behind the wheel is captivating – its captures the imagination – ladies especially find it enormously appealing, as I said its funky with some great paint and trim colours, and for a small car it has amazing space for four adults. Three models, standard and extended range and an even funkier extended range Cross model. I drove the standard range Hyundai Inster with 42kWh battery providing a range of 327Kms – charge time on my 11kW home charger 41/2 hours from 10 percent. 30 minutes on a fast charger. With its compact dimensions and versatility, a perfect city car, so easy to drive and manoevre. Hyundai warranty five years/unlimited km, battery warranty 8 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Audi refreshes its A3 and S3 for 2026 and adds 2.0-litre turbo AWD variant
Audi has returned the potent 2.0-litre turbo all-wheel drive edition of its A3 hatchback and sedan to its 2026 line-up. Not offered with the release of the 2025 A3 line-up earlier this year and previously known as the 40 TFSI, the A3 TFSI quattro 150kW S line will sell for $62,800 plus on-road costs. Available in Sportback or Sedan this all-wheel drive A3 matches a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Power output has increased by 10kW – Audi quoting a 0-100km/hour time of 6.3 seconds. All A3 grades now gain traffic sign recognition, an updated emergency braking system with intersection detection, and an improved automated parking system. The Audi A3 remains our best selling premium small car, selling 1547 examples to the end of September, outselling the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Subaru cuts $7.000 off its upgraded 2026 electric Solterra SUV models
Subaru will shortly update their Solterra EV SUV and have heralded a $7,000 price cut on the more powerful model. The 2026 Solterrra now starts from $63,990 plus on road costs, down $6,000 while the top-spec AWD Touring model gets a $7,000 reduction to $69,990. The Solterra also gains a new dual motor all-wheel drive arrangement rated at 252kW, up from 160kW making it the most powerful production Subaru to offered to date. The 2026 models gain new front styling, a restyled rear bumper, revised 18 and 20- inch alloy wheels and new rear badging. Inside, a larger 14-inch touchscreen, dual 15-watt smartphone chargers and acoustic glass plus a driver’s knee airbag. The top grade also gains ventilated front seats and vehicle to load functionality. All models get faster AC home charging up to 22kW, up from the current 11.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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GWM Haval Vanta Hybrid – driver attention monitor a total turnoff
Driving the GWM Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV – this newcomer takes to nine models from GWM, now our best-selling Chinese brand. Its had enormous success with its Haval Jolion and H6 SUV and rightly so but the H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV seems a misfit – a rugged looking medium SUV, that visually gives the impression of being a tough off-roader – however with the same excellent underpinnings of Haval H6 Ultra hybrid it’s a city slicker – sharply priced at $46,990 drive-away with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine mated to a 130kW electric motor – it’s loaded with safety, comfort and convenience features, the drive experience excellent with really good economy. Apart from rather annoying indicators there’s little to criticise but the big downside is the driver attention monitor that at the end of even a short drive nearly sends you crazy – its overdone and is simply a buyer turnoff. Momentarily look at the centrally located touchscreen and you’re meet by warning chimes that are just so annoying. How GWM could release a vehicle with this much intrusion to the driver beggar’s belief - at the end of just a short trip its tiring and counterproductive. It’s a shame and a total buyer turnoff to what is otherwise a nice SUV.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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