Budget-friendly Hyundai Casper spotted in rugged XRT trim

Hyundai is expanding its electric vehicle lineup with a rugged variant of its budget-friendly Casper EV, dubbed the XRT. This new trim, spotted recently in South Korea, adds a touch of off-road styling to the popular city car.

The Casper EV, which debuted in June at the Busan International Mobility Show, got a lot of attention for its compact yet functional design and affordable price point. Starting at just $22,800 (or as low as $14,500 with government incentives in South Korea), it stands a good chance to make electric mobility accessible to a wider audience.

Despite its small size, the Casper EV promises a decent range of up to 196 miles thanks to its 49 kWh battery. It's smaller than the Chevy Bolt EV, measuring 150.6 inches in length, and Hyundai positions it as the ideal companion for urban driving.

The upcoming XRT variant, as seen in the video, features a redesigned front bumper with a more rugged look. While the headlights and turn signals remain unchanged, the overall impression is one of a more adventurous vehicle.

Currently, the Casper EV is available in South Korea and is coming to select European markets under the name Inster EV, where it will start at around $27,700 and will offer a WLTP range of up to 221 miles.

Unfortunately, there are no plans to bring the Casper EV (or the Inster EV) to the United States. American EV enthusiasts can look forward to the upgraded 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is set to arrive at dealerships this fall. The US-built Ioniq 5 comes with increased range, additional features, and a NACS port for accessing Tesla's Supercharger network. It will also be offered in the rugged XRT trim.

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