The Hyundai Exter, the company’s newest offering, entered the market in India as the market’s second mini SUV this year. However, Hyundai had been developing another compact SUV-like car, the Hyundai Casper, which made its debut in the company’s native market in 2021, a full year before the Exter hit the market. There are many ways in which the Exter and the Casper are alike, but there are also many ways in which they are different. An in-depth analysis of the two is provided below:
Dimensions
| Dimensions | Hyundai Exter | Hyundai Casper | Difference |
| Length | 3,815mm | 3,595mm | 220mm |
| Width | 1,710mm | 1,595mm | 115mm |
| Height | 1,631mm | 1,575mm | 56mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,450mm | 2,400mm | 50mm |
If you consider the Exter to be a compact automobile, the Casper will seem positively little in comparison. This Korean SUV is significantly shorter than the Exter and more closely resembles the Maruti S-Presso in size. Some claim that the Casper is the first full-size Hyundai since the Santro.
Design
The Hyundai Exter looks sleek and powerful. It has an upright front profile with straight lines, H-shaped daytime running lights and taillights, and thick black stripes at the back. Muscular charm is provided by the large bumper, skid plates, door cladding, and wheel arches.
However, the Casper does not have the same boxy feel. A chrome mesh grille and round headlights are joined by a black strip housing U-shaped daytime running lights. A black strip houses the taillights and the Hyundai emblem, while the side profiles have cladding and wheel wells similar to the Exter’s. The Casper’s C-Pillar houses the rear door handles rather than the tailgate. The Exter only comes with 15-inch wheels, but you can upgrade to 17-inch ones with this one.
One of the ways Hyundai differentiated the Casper’s two versions was by giving each one a unique front fascia. The front grille of this model is black, and instead of air vents, there are two chrome rings set between the headlights.
Both the front and backlighting schemes of the Exter and the Casper are dominated by identical light sources, indicating a shared design language. The type intended for the Indian market has an H-shaped light signature, while the one intended for the Korean market has spherical lamps.
Powertrain
| Specifications | Hyundai Exter | Hyundai Casper | ||
| Engine | 1.2-litre petrol | 1.2-litre petrol + CNG | 1-litre petrol | 1-litre turbo-petrol |
| Power | 83PS | 69PS | 76PS | 100PS |
| Torque | 114Nm | 95Nm | 95Nm | 172Nm |
| Transmission | 5MT/ 5AMT | 5MT | 4AT | 4AT |
Both the micro SUVs are powered by unique engines. The Hyundai Exter has a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter engine that can be converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). Both a manual and an automatic transmission (AMT) are available for the Exter. Two different gasoline engines power the Hyundai Casper in its home market, but a single 4-speed automatic is the only gearbox option.
Features & Safety
The Exter comes standard with six airbags, antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution, electronic stability control, and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TMPS) in addition to its eight-inch touchscreen information system and semi-digital driver’s display.
The Casper in South Korea comes standard with a tyre pressure monitoring system, 7 standard airbags, a floating 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 4.2-inch MID, an electric sunroof, automatic climate control, cruise control, and lane keep assist, front and rear collision warning, high beam assist, auto emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
Price & Rivals
| Hyundai Exter | Hyundai Casper (Converted Price) |
| Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10.10 lakh | Rs 8.53 lakh to Rs 11.52 lakh |
The two Hyundai models are drastically different in price. Despite being smaller than the Exter, the Casper justifies its higher price thanks to its superior drivetrain and assortment of extra amenities.
The Exter competes head-on with the Tata Punch in India. The Hyundai Casper, with its expensive collection of equipment and engines, would have been a formidable competitor to the Tata Punch, Maruti Ignis, and Maruti S-Presso if it had been released in India.
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