Should you buy one?

It looks like a dead cert for the money. For a compact urban runabout, the Inster is big where it counts – big on character and charm, big on clever and flexible packaging, and big on range and performance. Pretty solid credentials, particularly when you consider that in the UK it’s hardly entering a sector crowded with talented rivals.

The Dacia Spring is well worth a look if you’re after a city car at a lower price – incredibly good value for a brand new small hatchback, let alone one powered by electricity. But you’ll only need a few minutes behind the wheel to realise why the Inster more expensive – it’s far better equipped, bigger inside, charges faster, goes further and feels much more grown up.

As for the likeable Fiat 500e, try driving four-up and see which gives out sooner – your rear passengers or the 24kW battery. No, the Inster’s biggest rivals will be the rather excellent Citroen e-C3 and its Vauxhall Frontera sister car, with their well judged combination of value, comfort, range and style. You’re also not far off entry-level MG4 EV territory, too, which is still a great car to drive, albeit less suited to zipping around the city.

But if you’re looking for an affordable and stylish runabout that doesn’t feel compromised in every area, then the Inster looks to be like it could be at the top of your must-drive list. We’ll know for sure when we drive the definitive production version.

What we don’t like

There are some grumbles – not everyone will be as taken with the Hyundai’s design, there will always be a toss-up between rear passengers and luggage space, and a little more body control would be welcome.