By James Stinson
Hyundai has taken the wraps off an all-new Bayon, giving its smallest SUV more space, technology and a much tougher look in a bid to take on the best-selling compact crossovers.
The outgoing Bayon has always been a slightly curious-looking thing and has lived in the shadow of Hyundai’s larger Kona. This new model looks altogether more purposeful, swapping some of the old car’s quirkiness for a chunkier, more conventional SUV design.
At 4.25 metres long, it remains relatively compact and should be easy enough to thread through town or squeeze into a supermarket parking space. But a longer wheelbase has freed up more passenger room, while petrol models get a useful 440-litre boot.
Petrol First, Hybrid Later
There will initially be a choice of two versions of Hyundai’s familiar 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine.
The entry-level version produces 89bhp, while the more powerful model gets 113bhp. Both drive the front wheels and can be paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Performance is adequate rather than exciting. Depending on engine and gearbox, 0-62mph takes between 10.8 and 14.1 seconds, with top speeds ranging from 104mph to 112mph.
A new hybrid will join the range later in 2027, combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and six-speed dual-clutch gearbox to produce a combined 136bhp.
This isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so there’s no need to charge it. It will instead recover energy normally lost during braking, with paddles behind the steering wheel allowing the driver to alter the amount of regenerative braking.
More Tech Inside
Hyundai is loading the new Bayon with the kind of technology that would have been reserved for much bigger and more expensive cars not that long ago.
Depending on trim, there are twin 12.3-inch curved displays for the instruments and infotainment, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.
Other available goodies include wireless phone charging, Hyundai’s Digital Key 2, which allows the car to be unlocked and started using a compatible phone or smartwatch, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.
Comfort has been given a boost too, with heated and ventilated front seats available alongside reclining and heated rear seats, rear air vents and an opening panoramic roof.
There’s also plenty of safety kit available, including smart cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist 2.
N Line Adds Some Attitude
An N Line model brings a sportier look rather than significantly more performance, with different bumpers, 18-inch alloy wheels, gloss black exterior detailing and a rear diffuser incorporating twin exhaust outlets.
Inside, it gets its own cloth and suede-effect seats.
Hyundai hasn’t yet confirmed the complete UK trim structure. However, it has confirmed wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the new model, along with an extensive range of driver assistance technology.
Tough Competition
The Bayon enters one of the most competitive parts of the market, where buyers can already choose from the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke, Ford Puma, Peugeot 2008, Volkswagen T-Cross and Toyota Yaris Cross.
That means simply being good isn’t really enough.
The new Bayon counters with plenty of interior space and a comparatively generous 440-litre boot. The forthcoming hybrid could be particularly important too, giving Hyundai a more direct competitor to hybrid versions of the Renault Captur and Toyota Yaris Cross.
The downside is that the initial petrol engines offer fairly modest performance, particularly the 89bhp model. Buyers wanting something quicker might be better holding out for the hybrid.
Pricing is likely to start at around £25,000 when it arrives in 2027.
