This post features content created after receiving a test drive opportunity from Hyundai.
Hello, I’m Double Look, an automotive influencer.
Last week, I had the chance to test the Casper Electric for an extended period, experiencing everything from city driving to rounds at the Hongcheon Golf Course.
I never expected to drive the Casper Electric to a golf course in Gangwon Province, but its surprisingly long driving range allowed me to try something new.
Today, I’ll share my insights for singles or couples considering the Casper Electric for golf outings, based on my personal experience.
Before diving in, I’ve covered the detailed specifications and technical aspects of the Casper Electric in my previous post about the new car test drive, so please check that out for more information.
Make sure to take a close look.
What is the actual driving range of the Casper Electric? Can it handle the Hongcheon Golf Course?
What is the actual driving range of the Casper Electric? Can it handle the Hongcheon Golf Course?
During my test drive of the Casper Electric over two days, I drove through the city and on the highway.
I confirmed that the actual driving range far exceeded the specifications.
The model I tested was the Inspiration trim with a standard 17-inch wheel, which has a combined driving range of 183 miles.
Driving range certifications are evaluated against strict standards, so during mild weather, you can expect even longer ranges.
I planned to play a round at Cascadia CC in Hongcheon, considering the round trip distance and dinner plans, estimating a total of about 174 miles.
Given that the standard driving range for the Casper Electric Inspiration trim with 17-inch wheels is 183 miles, I initially thought about taking another car instead of the Casper Electric.
However, on the second day of my test drive, I charged the car to 100% using a Level 2 charger in my apartment parking lot.
The display showed a driving range of 255 miles, so I decided to take the Casper Electric to the golf course.
Nowadays, most golf courses have electric vehicle charging facilities, so I planned to check the driving range upon arrival and charge if necessary.
On the morning of my departure to the golf course, I checked the driving range, which was 255 miles, and drove about 42 miles to our first meeting point for lunch.
Upon arriving at the destination and checking the driving range again, it showed 216 miles, indicating that I had consumed less electricity than expected.
With this level of efficiency, I concluded that charging at the golf course wouldn’t be necessary.
Upon arriving at the golf course, I checked for available electric vehicle charging spots and found more designated spaces than I expected.
Since I had confirmed a comfortable driving range and decided against charging, I only took photos for the golf course review and moved the vehicle to the general parking area.
On my way back home, I had dinner with friends in the Namyang Dasan New Town.
When I arrived home and checked the final driving range, I had driven 175 miles, leaving approximately 81 miles of range remaining.
Ultimately, I drove around 256 miles, which was similar to the initial figure I saw.
I found the actual driving range to be surprisingly longer than I expected, which was a bit confusing.
Several factors influence electric vehicle driving range, including external temperature, the ratio of city to highway driving, whether the air conditioning or heater is on, and driving mode.
Various factors contribute to the driving range.
The day I played golf, the temperature reached a pleasant 75°F, which meant I didn’t need to use the air conditioning. Instead of heading directly to the Hongcheon Golf Course, I made stops for lunch and dinner, which increased the proportion of city driving over highway driving, contributing to better efficiency.
To maximize efficiency, I selected ECO mode, and when I switched to NORMAL mode under the same conditions, the driving range dropped from 255 miles to 248 miles.
When I switched to SPORTS mode, the range fell to 240 miles.
As a result, because I drove in ECO mode for the entire trip, I achieved a higher-than-expected efficiency.
Finally, since I was driving alone, I experienced better efficiency compared to when there are 2 to 4 passengers.
The photo below shows the driving range calculator for the Casper Electric available on Hyundai's website.
The Inspiration trim with standard 17-inch wheels can achieve a driving range of 183 miles, but when I turned off the air conditioning and set the external temperature to 68°F with a city driving ratio of 75%, I saw the range jump to 207 miles.
By considering the number of passengers, driving mode, and driving conditions, you can predict the driving range even more accurately.
(Source: Hyundai's website)
The Casper Electric, a small SUV electric vehicle, has received criticism for its driving range, but I believe that outside of winter, it can exceed the specifications, minimizing stress about charging.
Especially for electric vehicle owners who can optimize regenerative braking based on driving conditions, they can experience significantly longer ranges, providing substantial economic benefits.
Would I recommend the Casper Electric for new professionals?
Would I recommend the Casper Electric for new professionals?
I experienced excellent efficiency with the Casper Electric during my test drive, and I highly recommend this small SUV electric vehicle, especially for young professionals who need to save money.
Based on my apartment’s charging rate of $0.22/kWh, and even cheaper at shopping malls at $0.20/kWh, a full charge costs just over $9, which is about one-third of gasoline fuel costs.
I received a 40% discount on highway tolls and a 50% discount at public parking lots, such as the Han River parking facility, and I didn’t have to pay the congestion toll of $1.50 while passing through the Namsan Tunnel on my way home.
Overall, I found the low maintenance costs to be the most satisfying aspect of the experience.
Previously, I recommended gasoline models like the Ray, Casper, and Morning to new professionals, but after experiencing the Casper Electric, which entered the market as electric vehicle charging infrastructure develops, I found it to be the ideal choice.
Most importantly, it provides a convenient charging environment anywhere, anytime, allowing for much lower maintenance costs compared to gasoline models in the same class.
Additionally, as a compact SUV electric vehicle designed for space efficiency, it feels more spacious than I expected.
Before my test drive, I thought the Casper Electric wouldn’t even make it to Hongcheon or Yangpyeong Golf Course.
Thanks to the mild weather, I experienced an even longer driving range, and its bold yet trendy design was enough to catch attention.
In conclusion, I would say it's a small but powerful electric SUV.
That wraps up my test drive of the Casper Electric for today.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to leave a comment, and I’ll share my personal experiences.