Hyundai upgrades its $20,000 EV: Meet the 2026 Casper Electric

The Casper Electric is Hyundai’s cheapest electric SUV, sold overseas under the name Inster EV. Hyundai launched the 2026 Casper EV in Korea on Tuesday, introducing a few new features and more. Prices start at about $20,000, but with government subsidies, the actual purchase price could be closer to $15,000.

Hyundai launches the 2026 Casper EV

Hyundai opened pre-orders for the Casper Electric, its flagship entry-level electric SUV, last July, starting at just 31.5 million won ($23,000).

In its first full sales month, the Casper Electric was Hyundai’s top-selling EV in its home market. Hyundai said the electric SUV was a hit due to its low starting price and “ample driving range” of up to 196 miles (315 km).

Hyundai took advantage of the initial demand, launching a new entry-level trim priced at just 27.4 million won ($27,400).

For the 2026 model year, Hyundai introduced new infotainment and safety features. The 2026 Hyundai Casper EV now includes a 10.25″ navigation screen, anti-glare rearview mirror, and an LED sun visor lamp as standard starting from the Essential trim.

Hyundai’s entry-level Smart model now includes an anti-glare mirror and driver’s seat LED sun visor lamp as standard.

Additional safety features are now included on the Inspiration trim, including Highway Driving Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Rear Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and more.

The base 2026 Casper Electric Premium starts at 27.87 million won ($20,000), while the Inspiration and Cross variants are priced from 31.37 million won and 33.37 million won, respectively.

With government and local subsidies, Hyundai expects the actual purchase price for the 2026 Casper EV Inspiration trim to be in the “early to mid 20 million won range,” depending on the region. That’s around $14,500 to $18,000, not too bad for an electric SUV.

A Hyundai official said the “Casper is Hyundai’s representative entry SUV with a robust design and various safety and convenience features.” The upgrades for the 2026 model year will make it “an even more attractive choice.”

Hyundai is hosting a delivery event after opening sales on Tuesday. Those who take delivery by July 31 receive a free leather car key case worth 50 million won ($36,000), or nearly double the value of the vehicle itself.

According to local reports, demand for the Casper Electric is so high in Korea that buyers are waiting over a year for delivery.