SEOUL - Hyundai Motor Company's INSTER (marketed as CASPER ELECTRIC in Korea) has claimed the top spot in the small electric vehicle (EV) comparison test conducted by Auto Bild, ranking first in every evaluation category.

* Hyundai INSTER ranks first in all seven categories of Auto Bild's small electric vehicle (EV) comparison test

* INSTER also takes top spot in the Best Small EV for Commuters and Value-Conscious Consumers ranking

The article appeared on the 16/2026 Auto Bild edition published on April 16, 2026.

In the comparison test of the European market's leading small EVs, INSTER earned a total score of 558 out of a possible 800 points across seven categories: Body, Convenience, Powertrain, Driving Performance, Connectivity, Cost-Effectiveness and Environmental Friendliness. This placed it significantly ahead of the vehicles ranked in second (503 points) and third (501 points).

What Was the Key to Its Victory?

Auto Bild highlighted INSTER's outstanding power consumption efficiency as its core competitive advantage in the Powertrain category. Under demanding test conditions with repeated hard acceleration and deceleration, INSTER recorded a real-world average energy consumption of 6.71 km/kWh, demonstrating 20-30 percent greater efficiency compared to its main competitors. Its efficiency translated to a superior real-world driving range of 308 kilometers, far exceeding the competition.

This strong efficiency performance also positively influenced its scores in the Environmental Friendliness and Cost-Effectiveness categories. Auto Bild noted it was the 'most advantageous model in terms of reducing maintenance costs,' which helped it build a lead of up to 13 points in the Cost-Effectiveness evaluation.

How Does Its Interior Space Stand Out?

INSTER demonstrated a clear advantage in efficient space utilization. In the Versatility section of the Body category, it scored eight points, decisively outperforming the two main competitors, which each scored only two points. The key features behind this lead are its second-row sliding rear seats and a fully folding front passenger seat, which allow the interior space to be flexibly adapted for various passenger and cargo needs.

In the Convenience and Driving Performance categories, INSTER also surpassed its rivals. Its braking distance from 100 kilometers per hour to a standstill was 35.8 meters, around three meters shorter than its closest competitor. The vehicle also earned high marks for driving stability, thanks to its precise steering performance.

In a separate Auto Bild evaluation for the Best Small EV for Commuters and Value-Conscious Consumers, INSTER also claimed the top spot ahead of five competitors.

What Other Awards Has INSTER Won?

INSTER has received consistent praise from global media, including:

World Electric Car winner at the 2025 World Car Awards

'Supermini of the Year' at the 2026 TopGear.com awards

Awarded the 2025 Golden Steering Wheel in the 'Vehicles under EUR25,000' category

Named Best Small Electric Car for the City in 2025 by the UK's What Car?

Sooho Jung

sooho.jung@hyundai.com

Global PR Team 2 * Hyundai Motor Company

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About Hyundai Motor Company

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision 'Progress for Humanity,' Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions, while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero emission vehicles equipped with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.

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