2024 Hyundai Casper: Electric high-riding hatchback a chance for Australia

The next-generation Hyundai Casper – a budget-priced high-riding electric hatchback – could be coming to Australia within the next two years, according to information unearthed by Drive.

Despite the model being on sale in its South Korean domestic market since 2021, Hyundai has recently trademarked the Casper model name in Australia.

According to South Korean business news outlet Pulse, the next generation of the electric Hyundai Casper is due in 2024, with the model to compete in that market against the Chevrolet Bolt – another small electric car, priced in South Korea from approximately $AU37,000.

While Hyundai Australia would not confirm any future model plans, Drive understands the company has expressed an interest in offering a budget-priced electric car locally.

Speculation about a right-hand-drive version of the Hyundai Casper comes weeks after a report from UK magazine Autocar claimed Hyundai is working on not one, but two small electric cars. Meantime, website Carscoops reports at least one of those models will be a small SUV.

The electric hatchback could be a replacement for the Hyundai i10 – a European-made city car – while the high-riding electric SUV could be the Korean-made Casper replacement.

This backs up a July 2022 statement from a senior Hyundai executive, who told Automotive News Europe the company was developing a budget-priced electric car for the region.

Despite ‘Hyundai i10’ being trademarked locally since 2010, Drive understands the European-made i10 isn’t economically viable for the Australian market – a scenario that is unlikely to change after a switch to electric power.

The Kia Picanto – which shares its platform with the current Hyundai Casper – is made in South Korea and sold in Australia, and could provide a clue as to where Hyundai Australia sources its future electric small car from.

At this early stage, very little has been confirmed, but we do know Hyundai is working on at least one electric city car – and evidence is beginning to emerge that it could be in line for Australian showrooms.