Hyundai Bayon 2021: price, dates, pictures, market launch

Opel and Ford are leading the way. The small SUV segment is growing so rapidly across Europe that one model is not enough. With the Kona, Hyundai already has a small SUV with a more lifestyle-oriented design. Now follows with the Bayon a second mini crossover SUV, which places a greater emphasis on the space available. The Koreans speak of family-friendly space. Similarly, Opel chooses the roles between Mocha and Crossland.

Body and interior

With a length of 4.18 meters, a width of 1.77 meters and a height of 1.49 meters, the Bayon falls right in the middle of the mini-SUV segment: a little longer than the Opel Mokka, a little shorter than that Audi Q2 – and only slightly longer than the Kona. On a wheelbase of 2.58 meters, the Koreans can accommodate four adult passengers, plus a trunk of 411 liters according to VDA standards (Hyundai Kona: 332 l). The almost cuboid shape of the trunk is noticeable: here, benefit is clearly the top priority. The ground clearance of the Hyundai Bayon is a decent 18.3 centimeters – the Bayon should be clearly recognizable as an SUV and not be confused with a van.

In the cockpit, the Bayon shows the current Hyundai style: Rather clear and simple, but not necessarily conservative. Textile surfaces and rubber profiles ensure functional comfort. Hyundai would like to bring a little flair to the car with ambient lighting. Kia divides the functions into a driving information display in the dashboard, an infotainment system for navigation and media functions and an air conditioning unit. After all, this offers an official button bar for convenient operation – but no rotary controls for the temperature.

Engines

In the opinion of most manufacturers, what today no longer belongs in a small SUV is diesel engines. Hyundai offers four petrol engines in the Bayon, two of them with 48-volt mild hybrid support. The basis is a naturally aspirated gasoline engine with a displacement of 1.2 liters and 84 hp, which the manufacturer couples to a manual five-speed gearbox. The next larger level is a 100 hp three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine. Hyundai offers this engine with or without a mild hybrid system. Without a hybrid, the engine shifts via a manual six-speed gearbox.

For electrical support, Hyundai is designing a seven-speed dual clutch transmission that supports a sailing mode: In certain load conditions, Hyundai decouples the engine from the transmission. The bayon then rolls without motor assistance. The top engine is initially a 120 hp version of the turbo three-cylinder, which always rolls with mild hybrid support. The turbo engines also have the driving modes Eco, Normal and Sport and adapt both the response of the engine and the characteristic curve of the steering to the selected presetting.

Security and assistance systems

It is a challenge for manufacturers to accommodate the increasingly complex safety technology that will be required for approval in the future in small cars. Hyundai decided early on not to make any compromises and instead to price more comfort features higher. It remains to be seen how the equipment for the Bayon will be tailored. In any case, the assistance technology available will leave little to be desired. A highlight is the adaptive cruise control, which also accesses navigation data. At the same time, a lane following assistant keeps the SUV in the middle of the lane so that the Bayon can drive practically independently and partially autonomously in a traffic jam. Hyundai also offers an Emergency Brake Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, which also brakes for cross traffic and protects against accidents when turning left.

In addition, a traffic sign recognition, a high beam assistant, a drowsiness warning, a blind spot warning or parking assistant belong to the offer. The parking aid with emergency braking function is also interesting: when parking, the driver can reverse until the assistant brakes him. A useful function that promotes the brake assistant from the emergency system corner to the convenience function.

Equipment and infotainment

The digital cockpit with its 10.25-inch display shows the driving functions, the middle touchscreen measures 8 or 10.25 inches, depending on the equipment. With the smaller screen, the driver controls the functions of his smartphone via Apple Carplay or Android Auto. This is done wirelessly with this system. As known from other models, Hyundai provides online services via the “Bluelink” service. For example, live traffic data and a pedestrian navigation system for the route from the parking lot to the destination are available in the manufacturer’s app. According to Hyundai, a new feature in the Bayon is the option of using the Google or Apple calendar on the vehicle’s touchscreen and using the addresses stored in it as a navigation destination.

Market launch and prices

Hyundai wants to carry out the homologation of the Bayon shortly before the market launch. Until then, the manufacturer does not provide any information on consumption, mileage, etc. However, it will not take long. According to Hyundai, the small SUV with the family-friendly interior will be available at dealerships as early as spring 2021. The manufacturer has not yet commented on the price. We expect the Bayon to be positioned between the Hyundai i20 (from 14,000 euros) and the Hyundai Kona (from 20,000 euros). As indicated, the basic version will probably already contain extensive electronic assistance and sensor equipment. For some comfort features, on the other hand, you will probably have to fall back on more expensive equipment lines.