As a refresher, the Casper is about the same size as the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto. It measures in at just 3,595 mm in length. It’s powered by either a normally-aspirated 1.0-liter MPI engine rated for 76 horsepower and 95 Nm of torque, or a turbocharged 1.0-liter T-GDI engine rated for 100 horsepower and 172 Nm of torque.

Hyundai has confirmed that the Casper is only available with 2WD, but it does have a “rough road driving mode” which modulates the throttle and braking for conditions such as snow, mud, and sand.

Now, despite its miniscule exterior length, the 2,400 mm wheelbase translates to a maximized interior volume. Hyundai engineers also worked extra hard to make the packaging even more flexible.

For example, the rear seats of the Casper can be move fore and aft by 160 mm, and can be reclined up to 39 degrees. Luggage capacity is up to 301 liters with the rear seats slid forward, while long objects up to 2,059 mm can be accommodated when the first and second row seats are fully folded (yup, the front seats fold forward).

Interior space and flexibility aside, Hyundai seemed to have nailed the Casper’s interior design as well. The materials do look hard to the touch, but the simple layout, smart use of colors, and clean interface all give it character; something missing perhaps in the equivalent Mitsubishi Mirage or Kia Picanto. Moreover, Hyundai did install things like digital gauges and a floating infotainment system. It even has Hyundai CarPay (not a typo). This system allows in-vehicle cashless payment, a great convenience for tolls or gassing up.

Standard safety equipment on board the Casper is comprised of seven airbags including center side airbags for the front occupants. As standard, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) includes forward collision avoidance assist for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning and high beam assist. Optionally available are forward collision avoidance assist for crossroads, rear side collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist as well as smart cruise control.

Sadly, there’s almost zero chances of seeing the Casper hit Philippine roads, but for those who’re curious, it starts at 13.85 million won (P 590,400) and tops out at 18.7 million won (P 797,100). Turbocharged engines carry a 900,000 to 950,000 won premium (P 38,000 to P 40,000) depending on trim.