The Hyundai Bayon was first introduced in 2021 and it slots underneath the Hyundai Kona as the smallest Hyundai crossover SUV you can buy in Europe. Hyundai hopes to sell a ton of these as compact crossover SUVs are currently the most popular cars in Europe. The Bayon is almost entirely based on the existing Hyundai i20, but is Hyundai Bayon a good car?
The Hyundai Bayon is a car that promises a lot as it belongs in the most popular car segment in Europe while also being brand-new and relatively well-equipped. It comes with only a single-engine option, but some are certain that an electric version of the Bayon is on its way and that it should share its powertrain with the existing Kona EV.
Design-wise, the Bayon is a Hyundai 100% which means that it is striking to look at and quite daring which is not something we used to associate with Hyundai design. Reliability seems to be doing fine by now, but the car is simply way too fresh for us to properly assess its reliability.
It is also the most affordable Hyundai crossover while practicality isn’t its biggest benefit. It is slightly more spacious than the i20 on which it is based, but neither of those two are designed for carrying rear passengers all that often.
Read more about the problems that the Hyundai Bayon has.
Hyundai Bayon – The Powertrain
As of right now, the Hyundai Bayon can only be had with a single engine option in Europe, and that is the 1.0L T-GDI gasoline 3-cylinder engine with 100hp and 126lb-ft of torque. You can also go for a slightly more powerful version of the same engine which pushes out 120hp and 147lb-ft of torque. Some markets are also getting a 1.2L 4-cylinder engine and the top-spec Kappa II 1.4L inline 4-cylinder.
All Bayon models are strictly front-wheel-drive and there are no indications that Hyundai is going to offer an AWD model at all. As far as transmissions go, the Bayon can be had with either a standard 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox.
The Hyundai Bayon is able to return around 53MPG UK which is indeed a really good number. All in all, Hyundai could offer the Bayon with some of its larger engines and it makes sense to offer the Bayon as an EV as the Kona EV is more popular than the regular ICE version of the Kona.
Hyundai Bayon – Design and Driving
As far as the exterior design is concerned, the Bayon sure does look like a Hyundai which means that it is really modern and fairly eye-catching. The front end resembles the one found on the much larger Santa Fe SUV while the interior is similar to the Kona. All in all, the Bayon is a nice-looking car that offers a good balance between design, quality, and price.
The driving experience is as you’d expect also Hyundai. This means that the car is fairly soulless to drive, but that is maybe exactly what you want from a Hyundai. The Bayon does not try to be dynamic or an SUV which is indeed what you expect from non-N-Line Hyundai models.
Hyundai Bayon – Reliability and Common Issues
As far as reliability is concerned, the Hyundai Bayon seems to be doing really well, but we can’t say anything for certain as it is still way too fresh. Some people did report issues with the battery system and potential loss of power while everything else seems to be okay.
Hyundai makes fairly reliable cars these days which is partly why the brand has become so successful lately. There is no reason to think that the Bayon is not going to be reliable in the long run. It is based on the i20 which means that it could potentially inherit some of its long-term flaws.
Hyundai Bayon – Value and Practicality
In the UK, the Hyundai Bayon starts at £20,530 for its base-spec trim level called SE Connect. The mid-spec Premium model costs £22,730 while the top-spec Ultimate model costs £24,030. This makes the Bayon the cheapest Hyundai crossover you can buy from new which Hyundai hopes is going to be a really lucrative business decision.
Practicality-wise, the Bayon does not fare all that well as it offers relatively cramped rear seats which are going to feel too claustrophobic for anyone above 6 feet tall. The cargo space is decent as the Bayon offers a spacious rear trunk and many interior cubby and storage spaces.
FAQ Section
Is the Hyundai Bayon a luxury car?
The Hyundai Bayon is not a luxury SUV by any means as Hyundai isn’t a luxury brand at all. However, Hyundai did up their ante for the past few years which now brought them closer to what we tend to call premium brands. A more luxurious version of the Bayon is the Audi A1, but the Audi A1 is a much more premium car overall.
All in all, the Bayon and the rest of the current Hyundai range are positioned below the premium segment, but that does not stop Hyundai from trying to be ever closer to the premium segment.
Is Hyundai going to offer an electric version of the Bayon?
Hyundai is likely going to offer an electric version of the Bayon sometime in late 2022 or early 2023. Even though this is not 100% confirmed, there is little sense in Hyundai not offering an electric version of the Bayon. For starters, there are no hybrid models of the Bayon so Hyundai should come out with either a hybrid or an electric version.
The modern-day Hyundai is keener on offering electric cars and most people who enjoy really small cars in the city are also fond of small electric cars.
Should I buy the Hyundai Bayon or the Kona?
The Hyundai Kona is slightly bigger and slightly better equipped compared to the Bayon which is useful for those who want as much space as they can get as both of these aren’t overly spacious to begin with. We also need to keep in mind that the Kona does come with an electric powertrain while the Bayon still does not.
On the other hand, the Bayon is the cheaper car of the two and it can make more sense if you only use your car for inter-city commuting where a smaller form factor is a better idea.
