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. 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.
