Hyundai Casper

Can you create a crossover that has the sizing of a city car but works on almost all walks of life? In Hyundai's perspective, yes. The Korean auto giant created a crossover that sized like a tiny car but can do almost anything. It even has a ghoulish name in it. It's called the Casper.

2022 Hyundai Casper

2022 Hyundai Casper interior

It's not yet Halloween, but it seems Hyundai went too early for trick-or-treating with their newest baby crossover with the name of the friendly ghost in it. However, this isn't more than just being named after everybody's favorite friendly ghost, nor a place somewhere in Wyoming, not even named after a skateboarding technique. No way. This is a 13,850,000 Korean Won compact crossover that is all tricks and treats for those who are new to the motoring world.

Beginning with the design, the Casper can be utterly mistaken for an Indian-made compact crossover because of such size and looks. Although not as good-looking as one of its main rivals, the Suzuki Ignis, the Casper feels right at home, not just a city car, but also for the great outdoors if you're in a middle of a Sunday drive. It's a compact crossover fit for almost all walks of life.

The interior is where it shines the most. At the driver's side, users can easily access through the passenger seat and back because there is no center console in it while the gearbox is positioned on the dashboard.

Unlike most crossovers that fold only passenger seats, the Casper allows users to fold all of the seats, including the driver's seat, giving them many ways to do while inside. You can fit an inflatable mattress in it and sleep on it while enjoying a nice camping trip in case you forgot to bring the tent. Now that's smart thinking for Hyundai's tiny four-seater crossover with modest boot space fit enough for today's groceries with the rear seats present.

The Hyundai Casper is powered by a 1.0L petrol engine in natural aspiration and turbo configurations and it's mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The NA version has a combined fuel economy of 14.3kmpl while the turbo version produces 100PS of power and 172Nm of torque.

Don't expect the dynamics to be fancy though because the Casper features front MacPherson struts, rear torsion beam, and disc brakes. Although not as fancy as the tiny Europeans, it's still a fun compact car to drive on the city streets and in rural settings.

It's front-wheel-drive only but the Casper features a nifty feature that allows this crossover to drive through mud, sand, and snow, something similar to the Citroen C3 Aircross, a front-wheel-drive crossover everybody loves, but it's almost as functional as the French compact crossover mentioned.

In terms of safety, the Hyundai Casper features a suite of safety features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, and many others.

Be it no doubt that the Casper has all the tricks and treats the cheapest Hyundai has to offer and it really is the hat trick the Koreans have pulled. Like it or not, this crossover could be your first ride. You'll spend plenty of time getting to know the basics of driving with the Casper and before you know it, it could be your favorite ride for the time being. You wouldn't let it go until you are fully satisfied with its results.

Welcome to the new normal.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company