This is the Hyundai Bayon, a new compact SUV-like that, as the smaller brother of the Kona, competes with the many compact crossovers in the car country. It is strongly related to the Hyundai i20 and will be available at Dutch dealers around May.
Highlights
- Hyundai’s smallest SUV-like, step below Kona
- Strongly related to i20
- With mild hybrid powertrains
- Around May in the Netherlands
Hyundai’s crossover and SUV range is by no means scant. The brand has the Kona, the Tucson and the Santa Fe on the menu and also offers not only the Nexo with fuel cell, but also the fully electric Ioniq 5. The Koreans are expanding the delivery range with the Bayon, one to the French City of Bayonne named compact crossover that is a size smaller than the Kona.
Hyundai Bayon
Dimensions and placement
The Hyundai Bayon is a compact SUV-like design specially developed for the European market that is 4.18 meters long and has a wheelbase of 2.58 meters. The distance between the front and rear axle is therefore just as great as with the i20 where the Bayon shares its base. It is, however, about 14 centimeters longer and 5 centimeters higher than the i20. Since the facelift, the Kona is 4.22 meters long, making it slightly larger than the Bayon. At 2.6 meters, the wheelbase of the Kona is a modest 2 centimeters longer. In any case, Hyundai’s latest compact crossover is spacious. The luggage compartment has a capacity of 411 liters. The i20 wants 41 liters more in the back, but the Bayon can carry more luggage than big brother Kona (361 liters).
Hyundai Bayon
Design
The Bayon somewhat fulfills the role of the Active version of the previous i20 not delivered in the Netherlands, although the Bayon has become more of an SUV-like. Anyone who brings to mind Hyundai’s latest models knows that the brand is walking a more pronounced path in terms of design than a few years ago. The Bayon also looks nice and cheeky. With its two-storey lighting at the front, it is immediately recognizable as a Hyundai. The flat viewers at the top of the front contain the LED daytime running lights. A groove in between optically ties the flat lighting together. Lower in the front are the actual LED headlights, which optically overflow into (dense) plastic trim.
The lighting at the back is just as special. The Bayon is the only Hyundai with slightly vertically oriented LED rear lights. They have a boomerang layout that are connected by a thin LED strip. Under the LED strip is a large piece of glossy black plastic that optically extends the rear window. The reversing lights are in the rear bumper and silver skid plates at the front and rear add some extra frivolity. Depending on the chosen version, the newcomer stands on 15-inch steel wheels or light metal in the sizes 16- or 17-inch. The Bayon is available in nine colors, seven of which can be combined with a black roof.
Hyundai Bayon
The interior offers few surprises, as the dashboard is identical to that of the i20. Here too, behind the strikingly designed steering wheel, a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation with next to it an equally large display that belongs to the infotainment system, although a smaller 8-inch screen is also available for the variant with a simpler system. The interior is further decorated with mood lighting, following the example of the i20. Depending on the chosen version, you can charge smartphones and tablets wirelessly. A comprehensive Bose audio system is available as an option.
engines
The Bayon gets trusted power sources. The 84 hp and 118 Nm strong 1.2 MPi is, just like the i20, the basic engine, a turbo-free four-cylinder that only comes with a manual five-speed gearbox. With the 1.2 MPi, the Bayon reaches 100 km / h in 13.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 165 km / h. Above that is the 100 hp 1.0 T-GDI, which is supplied with both a manual six-speed gearbox and a 7DCT automatic transmission. It is also available with a 48V mild hybrid system. In this version, the regular six-speed manual gearbox is replaced by the iMT six-speed gearbox that disconnects from the engine as soon as you let go of the accelerator. An automatic transmission is also available. With both 100 hp engines – with manual gearbox – the Bayon reaches 100 km / h in 10.7 counts and has a top speed of 183 km / h. The versions with automatic transmission need a second more for that sprint and are finished at 180 km / h.
The most powerful petrol engine is the 120 hp 1.0 T-GDI, a three-cylinder always equipped with mild hybrid technology, which can also be ordered with the iMT six-speed gearbox and the DCT7 automatic transmission. The clock reaches a speed of 100 km / h in 10.4 seconds. The top speed is 185 km / h.
The Bayon is also the first high-legged Hyundai to be equipped with Rev Matching, where the speed of the engine when downshifting self-adjusts for a smooth transition.
Hyundai Bayon
Security systems
It is all right with the available safety systems. Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist and adaptive cruise control linked to the navigation system are on offer. In addition, the Bayon is available with a speed limiter that is linked to, among other things, the traffic sign recognition and automatic high beam, Fordward Collision-Avoidance-Assist and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert are also available. The list continues with systems such as Active Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance Warning / Assist and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist.
The Hyundai Bayon will be at Dutch dealers later this year. Prices are not yet available, which will follow in the run-up to the market launch.