Hyundai Casper
South Korean crossover city car
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hyundai Casper (Korean: 현대 캐스퍼) is a crossover city car produced by the South Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai. It is the smallest crossover SUV ever offered by the brand, and also the smallest automobile of any kind that is currently sold by Hyundai.[4][5]
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| Hyundai Casper | |
|---|---|
Hyundai Casper Active (facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai |
| Model code | AX1[1] |
| Production | 2021–present |
| Assembly | South Korea: Gwangju (GGM) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Crossover city car (A) |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback[2] 5-door panel van (Casper Van) |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Hyundai-Kia K1[3] |
| Related | Kia Picanto (JA) Kia Syros |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 3,595 mm (141.5 in) |
| Width | 1,595 mm (62.8 in) |
| Height | 1,575–1,605 mm (62.0–63.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 985–1,060 kg (2,172–2,337 lb) |
The Casper has been developed in compliance with the "light car" (Korean: 경차, romanized: Gyeongcha) category in South Korea which offers tax incentives for vehicles with exterior dimensions below 3,600 mm (141.7 in) in length and 1,600 mm (63.0 in) in width, and is the first Hyundai vehicle to occupy the segment after the Atos.[6][7]
A battery electric version of the Casper was introduced in June 2024 as the Hyundai Casper Electric, or the Hyundai Inster in Europe.
Overview
The Casper was revealed through a set of images on 1 September 2021. Pre-orders started on 15 September 2021, and the vehicle was released on 29 September.[8][9] According to Hyundai, the name "Casper" is taken from the Casper skateboarding technique.[10][11] It was also confirmed that the Casper will be getting advanced driver-assistance systems across three trim lines, Smart, Modern and Inspiration.[12]
The front fascia has turn signal lights situated at the top and circular LED daytime running lights at the bottom. The rear door handle uses a hidden type near the window glass portion, while the parametric pattern of the front grill was applied to the rear lamp to design. Circular turn signal lights was used for the front/rear portions. The rear seat is in the form of two single seats attached.[13]
The Casper uses a pedal-type parking brake. Safety technologies such as forward collision prevention assistance, lane departure prevention assistance, and lane maintenance assistance are available. The Smartstream G1.0 petrol engine is based on the existing 56 kW (76 PS; 75 hp) naturally aspirated engine.[citation needed]
The Casper Van was officially released on 3 February 2022.[14] It has secured a loading capacity of 940 litres by emptying the space in the second row.[15][16] Hot stamping, a lightweight construction method, was applied to major areas to minimize body deformation in case of collision. The torsional rigidity and average tensile strength were increased through the high-strength lightweight body. The facelifted Casper was officially revealed on 16 August 2024, and online contract reservations opened at 8:30 a.m. on 18 October 2024.[citation needed]
Front view
Rear view
Interior
Front view (facelift)
Rear view (facelift)
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Powertrain
| Model | Transmission | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartstream G1.0 MPi | 4-speed automatic | 56 kW (76 PS; 75 hp) @ 6,200 rpm | 95 N⋅m (70 lbf⋅ft) @ 3,750 rpm |
| Kappa 1.0 T-GDi | 74 kW (99 hp) @ 4,500–6,000 rpm | 172 N⋅m (127 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,500–4,000 rpm |
Casper Electric / Inster
| Hyundai Casper Electric | |
|---|---|
 Hyundai Inster (Europe) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai |
| Model code | AX1 EV |
| Also called | Hyundai Inster (Europe, Australia, Japan, Taiwan) |
| Production | 2024–present |
| Assembly | South Korea: Gwangju (GGM) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Crossover city car (A) |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-motor, front-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Hyundai-Kia K1 BEV |
| Powertrain | |
| Battery |
|
| Electric range | 300–355 km (186–221 mi) (WLTP) |
| Plug-in charging | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm (101.6 in) |
| Length | 3,825 mm (150.6 in) |
| Width | 1,610 mm (63.4 in) |
| Height | 1,575–1,605 mm (62.0–63.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,335–1,355 kg (2,943–2,987 lb) |
On 27 June 2024 at the Busan International Mobility Show, Hyundai introduced a battery electric derivative of the Casper. It is marketed as the Hyundai Casper Electric in South Korea, and as the Hyundai Inster in Europe and Japan. According to Hyundai, Inster is a portmanteau of 'intimate' and 'innovative'.[19]
In Europe, the Inster will be positioned between the A-SUV and B-SUV segments.[20] Starting from early 2025, Hyundai plans to market the electric vehicle in Japan[21][22] and Australia,[23] but no plans have been announced for the United States.[24]
Compared to the petrol-powered Casper, Hyundai extended the length and wheelbase of the Casper Electric / Inster by 230 and 180 mm (9.1 and 7.1 in), respectively.[20] The width also has grown by 15 mm (0.59 in).[23]
Rear view
Casper Electric Cross (South Korea)
Rear view (Casper Electric Cross)
Inster Cross (Japan)
Rear view (Inster Cross)
Interior
Powertrain
Insteroid Concept
Rear view (Insteroid Concept)
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Markets
Australia
The Inster was launched in Australia on 16 April 2025, it is available in three variants: Standard Range (42 kWh), Extended Range (49 kWh), and Cross.[25]
Europe
The Inster debuted in Europe in January 2025 at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show.[26]
Japan
On 8 November 2024, Hyundai Mobility Japan was announced of the "Inster" to the Japanese market in the spring of 2025.[27]
The Inster was unveiled in 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, three variants was available: Casual, Active, and Lounge.[28] The Inster Cross was launched in Japan in 8 August 2025.[29]
Taiwan
The Inster was launched in Taiwan on 6 November 2025, with three variants: EV400-A (42 kWh), EV400-B (42 kWh), and EV450 (49 kWh).[30]
Powertrain
The integrated drive module used by the Casper Electric / Inster is sourced from BorgWarner.[21] Maximum outputs are 71 kW (97 PS; 95 hp) and 147 N⋅m (108 lbf⋅ft) for the front-mounted traction motor on the Standard range model, and 84.5 kW (115 PS; 113 hp) and 147 N⋅m (108 lbf⋅ft) for the Long Range model.[23]
The Casper Electric / Inster is available with Standard, and Long Range powertrain options with 42 kWh and 49 kWh battery respectively. Although early reports stated they would be equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO
4) chemistry,[21] it was announced at launch the batteries will be lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) instead.[23] Under WLTP standards, the electric range is rated at 300 km (186 mi) and 355 km (221 mi) respectively.[31] There is an on-board charger which accepts AC power at up to 11 kW; the vehicle also can connect to a DC source at up to 120 kW, at which rate either battery will recharge from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes.[23]
| Battery | Years | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) (official) |
Top speed | Range (claimed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 kWh (Standard Range) |
2024–present | 71.1 kW (97 PS; 95 hp) | 147 N⋅m (108 lb⋅ft) | 11.7 s | 140 km/h (87 mph) | 300 km (186 mi) (WLTP) |
| 49 kWh (Long Range) |
84.5 kW (115 PS; 113 hp) | 10.6 s | 150 km/h (93 mph) | 355 km (221 mi) (WLTP) 315 km (196 mi) (South Korea) |
Safety
Euro NCAP
ANCAP
Awards
- World Electric Car of the Year (Casper Electric/Inster) — 2025 World Car Awards[36]
