The Hyundai Bayon has launched at Rs 10 lakh, ex-showroom, and deliveries are underway. It is positioned below the Creta in the midsize SUV segment, with a starting price that’s Rs 91,000 lower. Hyundai is manufacturing the Bayon at its Chennai facility in both right- and left-hand-drive configurations, as it will be exported as well.
- Gets LED projector headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels and pull-type door handles
- Panoramic sunroof, dual 12.3-inch displays and front ventilated seats also available
- Powered by a 115hp 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 6MT/CVT
- Bayon CNG to launch in January next year
Hyundai Bayon price list
When comparing the top-end petrol CVT prices with the Creta CVT, the Bayon costs Rs 69,000 less. This difference may increase when the next-generation Creta launches next year, likely with a higher price range. Compared to the Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol, the base-spec Bayon MT costs Rs 2 lakh more. Hyundai does not offer an automatic gearbox choice with the Venue's 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
Hyundai Bayon exterior design
The Bayon is underpinned by Hyundai’s Global K enhanced platform, engineered for 5-star Indian crash-test safety standards, as per Hyundai. Its Bharat NCAP rating is expected by the end of this year.
It gets the carmaker’s latest ‘Art of Steel’ design language. From some angles, the Bayon even looks like a smaller version of the new Tucson, which was revealed earlier for North America. It measures 4.2 metres in length, slightly less than the 4.3-metre-long Creta.
At the front, it gets LED projector headlights and L-shaped daytime running lamps (DRLs) that also work as turn indicators. Unlike many newer Hyundai models, it does not get a full-width light bar at the front or rear.
The side profile is perhaps the most distinctive, with flared wheel arches and sharp character lines giving it a muscular look. There is also plenty of black cladding around the wheel arches, and the petal-style 17-inch alloy wheels add some style. Hyundai has used traditional pull-type door handles instead of flush-fitting units.
At the rear, a slim black band houses the sleek LED tail-lamps, while the ‘BAYON’ lettering sits on the tailgate. A prominent roof spoiler with an integrated stop lamp sits above the rear windscreen, and the bumper gets a dual-tone black-and-silver finish.
Hyundai Bayon interior and features
The interior of the Bayon looks very similar to that of the Brazil-spec i20, which was revealed a few months ago. Digital appointments include a 12.3-inch driver’s display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and the HVAC controls are housed in a vertical panel just beneath. There is good use of physical buttons and dials, including a band of shortcut buttons below the touchscreen, more buttons on the steering wheel and haptic buttons on the centre console panel. Notably, the steering wheel, which is similar to the one on the new Venue, even houses a standalone pod for the drive mode selector. Three drive modes will be available: Eco, Normal and Sport.
Other features include ventilated front seats, powered adjustment for the driver’s seat, a Bose sound system, Type-C USB ports, a wireless charger, ambient lights, two-step reclining rear seats, AC vents at the rear and a panoramic sunroof, among others. It also has a Generative AI voice assistant. The brand claims that instead of relying solely on predefined commands, the AI voice assistant can understand conversational requests and respond with relevant information. It also gets Bluelink connected car tech, OTA updates and more.
Speaking of safety features, they include Level 2 ADAS, six airbags, a 360-degree camera setup, all four disc brakes, hill-start assist control, electronic stability control, a tyre-pressure monitoring system and an electronic parking brake with auto hold.
Hyundai Bayon powertrain details
The Bayon currently gets a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes 115hp and 144Nm. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual and a CVT. The Bayon petrol CVT has a claimed mileage of 18.6kpl (ARAI), and it comes with a Dash Boost mode, which gives an instantaneous power boost while overtaking, as per Hyundai.
While the Creta is also offered with these engine and gearbox pairings, the Bayon is set to add a CNG option in January next year, making it Hyundai’s first CNG midsize SUV in India. Turbo-petrol and diesel engine options are not available with the Bayon.
The Bayon gives Hyundai a two-pronged approach to tackle the midsize SUV market, much like Maruti does with the Victoris and Grand Vitara. In addition to the Maruti SUVs, the Bayon will be up against the Toyota Hyryder, Kia Seltos, Tata Sierra, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, Citroen Aircross and MG Astor.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Suraj Viswanathan
Hormazd Sorabjee
Kiran Murali
