The all-new Hyundai BAYON: Bigger, better and now with bold styling
The Hyundai BAYON is somewhat of a hidden gem in the Hyundai line-up, nestled beneath the almighty Hyundai KONA whilst offering more space and style than the i20, yet it retains those supermini prices.
Where the outgoing BAYON had a familiar design - with hints of KONA - Hyundai has moved the game on and they have gifted the BAYON its own identity and sharp styling helping it stand out from its rivals, such as the Volkswagen T-Cross and Vauxhall Mokka.
From it’s flared, squared-off accented and clad wheels arches and a distinct rear haunch line, to the sharp styling at the front and rear, the BAYON looks more athletic, stronger, and more adventurous and assertive in its design language, immediately adding some eye candy appeal to a crowded compact SUV segment. Be under no illusion, this car stands out in a crowd of generic and safe designs. Hyundai has been bold, and it’s paid off, in particular in the N Line trim as featured in these pictures.
By giving the BAYON a new, bold identity, it has added a large dollop of kerb appeal which invariably will do the heavy lifting when it comes to a marketing campaign.
Along with the bold new design, the BAYON promises to be packed with the latest technology and advanced driver systems, whilst an N-Line trim adds sharper styling inside and out for those looking for something a little more distinctive.
Xavier Martinet, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe
“the all-new BAYON is much more than an update. We have strengthened its SUV character with a bolder design, more space, more comfort and technologies that customers would normally expect from larger vehicles. In one of Europe’s most important segments, BAYON gives us a stronger opportunity to attract new customers. With a hybrid powertrain joining the lineup in 2027, BAYON will build on this momentum.”
Key Highlights of the all-new BAYON:
Bold SUV proportions and a new design direction for a road presence
N Line version available for added sports car inspired styling elements inside and out
Wheel options up to 18 inches plus an optional black roof
Optional Matte paint finishes
Hyundai’s Digital Key 2 replaces a key allowing smartphones or smartwatches to unlock and start the car
Dual 12.3-inch curved displays
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Bose Premium Sound System with eight speakers
Hyundai SmartSense driver assistance package includes Highway Driving Assist 2, Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor*
Front ventilated and heated seats
Improved legroom, reclining rear seats, centre armrest with integrated cupholders
Openable panoramic sunroof
Hybrid powertrain to introduce adaptive regenerative braking with steering-wheel paddle control
Powertrains
New to the BAYON is a 1.6 litre hybrid drivetrain that adds more power (138 PS), greater efficiency and lower emissions. The hybrid will launch after the petrol versions. The hybrid gets Hyundai’s 6-speed DCT automatic transmission as standard.
There are two petrol engines to choose from starting with the 1.0 T-GDI 90 PS with the 1.0 T-GDI 115 PS providing a little more poke, but both receiving either a 6-speed manual gearbox, or an optional 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox.
Size and Practicality
Sitting at 4,245 mm in length, the BAYON has gained 65 mm in length and 35 mm in width, with the new car coming it at 1,810 mm wide. More importantly, it’s got a longer wheelbase at 2,600 mm, offering more interior space for occupants especially in the rear.
Adding to the practicality is 30 litres more boot space with up to 440 litres available with the seats in their upright position. Fold the rear bench down, and there is a very near flat-floor with no hump between the boot floor and rear seat bench making it easy to slide large objects in.
However, thanks to the addition of batteries, the hybrid version shrinks that boot space down to 397 litres, which still offers competitive cargo space for the segment, and importantly for families.
Technology
The Bayon gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto bringing that personalisation from the phone into the car, with music apps, podcasts and the preferred navigation app, plus much more.
There’s also a 12.3-inch infotainment display which is dependant on the trim chosen, but that’s combined with a 12.3-inch, curved digital instrument cluster.
The optional Entertainment Package provides with streaming services, including YouTube and more, directly via the infotainment display.
For phone loving passengers, there are two front and one rear USB-C connections, wireless phone charging and for the music lovers, an eight-speaker Bose Premium Sound System.
The Hyundai Digital Key 2
Customers can unlock and start the all-new BAYON using a just a smartphone or smartwatch without needing a physical key, providing greater convenience and flexibility,
It doesn’t mean there won’t be a physical key, but another layer of convenience carrying less clutter about in a bag or pcoket
Safety
*Hyundai’s SmartSense package assists the driver in city traffic, on highways and during parking manoeuvres. Also available is a Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), Surround View Monitor (SVM), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (FCA 2), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA 2), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse (PCA-R).
Colours
There are ten colours to choose from, including three matte options, starting with Atlas White Solid, Abyss Black Pearl, Lumen Gray Pearl, Aurora Gray Pearl, Vibrant Blue Pearl, Vibrant Blue Matte, Ice Blue Pearl, Ice Blue Matte, Fierce Red Solid, Fierce Red Matte.
At a later stage Ecotronic Gray Pearl, Ethereal Mint Green Pearl will be added.
Availability
Full prices, specs, efficiency figures and performance, as well as launch dates, will be revealed later on.
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more. You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb
