Hyundai Bayon Review 2024

The Hyundai Bayon is the small SUV no one really asked for. It sits beneath the Kona in the brand's line-up, offering yet another alternative to the Skoda Kamiq, Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.

If anything, the Hyundai Bayon is refreshingly normal. You can't get an electric version (48-volt mild-hybrid tech is standard, though), while its design is smart and stylish without being particularly abstract. In typical Hyundai fashion, it comes well-equipped, while competitive list prices and a generous warranty add to its appeal.

There are three core trim levels available: SE Connect, Premium and Ultimate. Standard equipment on the Hyundai Bayon SE Connect includes 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and a reversing camera as well as an eight-inch media system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

We'd look for a mid-spec Hyundai Bayon Premium, though, for desirable features like climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a bigger 10.25-inch infotainment display complete with built-in navigation. You also get flashier 17-inch alloy wheels.

The top-spec Bayon SE Connect, meanwhile, adds a Bose sound system, black gloss exterior highlights and some handy driver-assist tech in the form of a Blind Spot Collision Warning and Lane Follow Assist.

Based on the Hyundai i20, the Bayon is spacious enough for a small crossover, but it's not as versatile as a Volkswagen T-Cross. You don't sit particularly high, either – a lot of buyers expect a high seating position in a car like this, but it's barely any loftier than in a regular hatchback.

Even though you don't get a commanding driving position, the Hyundai Bayon is easy to drive with light steering and an eager little 1.0-litre petrol engine. Mild-hybrid power gives it a useful boost in torque while its official 53.3mpg fuel economy figure means it'll be pretty cheap to run. Don't expect it to drive under electric power alone, though – if that's what you're after, look at the Renault Captur E-Tech plug-in hybrid instead.

Prices for the Hyundai Bayon start from just over £20,000, while the most desirable variants edge over £25,000. That's pretty good value for money in today's market, especially when you factor in the generous standard equipment levels.

Easy to drive and very comfortable, the Hyundai Bayon drives exactly as you'd expect a small anonymous SUV to. All the controls are light and easy to operate, while there's loads of tech on hand (see the safety section below) acting as a second pair of eyes.

There's a button on the centre console if you want to select sport mode for a more dynamic driving experience, but all it does is add some artificial weight to the steering. The Ford Puma is more fun if that's what you're after.

The Hyundai Bayon is only available as a front-wheel-drive model, but few buyers ought to be bothered by that. There's plenty of grip available. If you need a small 4x4, we'd recommend the Dacia Duster or Suzuki Vitara instead.

The Hyundai Bayon's engine line-up is pretty limited. You can choose from a little 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid unit with 100PS and 172Nm of torque. Or you can have the same engine with 120PS and 200Nm of torque.

Both are available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. We've sampled the more powerful unit with the manual transmission and it's perfectly OK – not exactly a firecracker, but pacey enough for a car like this.

The mild-hybrid system doesn't add a great deal of complexity. In fact, you probably won't really notice it doing its thing. It just means the engine can turn off fractionally earlier as you coast to a stop, while any energy ordinarily lost during braking can be captured and used to provide a small torque boost under acceleration.

Standard safety equipment on all Hyundai Bayon models includes an autonomous emergency braking system (which can detect an impending collision and apply the brakes if necessary), as well as lane keep assist and an intelligent speed limit warning. Ultimate models add a blind spot collision warning system as well as lane following assist (which can help you with staying in the centre of your lane on the motorway).

The Hyundai Bayon was awarded four stars out of five when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2021. Criticisms included marginal protection of the driver's chest in a crash as well as poor protection of pedestrians at the base of the windscreen.

All Hyundai Bayon models are rated to tow a braked trailer weighing up to 1110kg.

The Hyundai Bayon has a 334-litre boot, which is bigger than you'd get in an i20 hatchback but quite a bit less than you'd get in a Skoda Kamiq or Ford Puma. There is a height-adjustable boot floor provided as standard, which helps reduce the lip for lifting things over.

There's a pretty decent amount of room for people in the Hyundai Bayon, although family buyers might be better looking at bigger SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson or Nissan Qashqai. Wide-opening doors provide easy access, while there's loads of headroom. That's partly because the seats are mounted quite low-down – we've already touched on this but you'd be much better considering the Volkswagen T-Roc if you're buying a small SUV for a high seating position.

Not looking to carry anyone in the back? Drop the seats and the Bayon will accommodate up to 1205 litres of luggage. The rear seats don't slide backwards and forwards, though, like they do in a Volkswagen T-Cross. Nor do they fold entirely flat.

The Hyundai Bayon doesn't exactly feel posh inside, but you have to remember it's positioned at the more affordable end of the small SUV market. The dashboard looks like it's been lifted straight out of a Hyundai i20 and, while it's not exactly soft to touch, it does at least look a little more interesting than a big slab of plastic.

All Hyundai Bayon models come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob (which is a good thing), although you can't get leather seats in the Bayon (neither can you in most of the Bayon's rivals). The top-spec Hyundai Bayon Ultimate doesn't really feel significantly posher inside, although its two-tone black and grey interior does mean it's slightly more interesting to look at than lesser models.

If we were to scrabble around for an area in which we could claim the Hyundai Bayon is up there with the best in class, its infotainment could possibly be it. Entry-level models come with an eight-inch central display, while Premium and Ultimate grades feature an impressive 10.25-inch navigation system.

This has clear graphics and is easy to use, with wireless smartphone mirroring providing easy access to apps on your phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The position of the Bayon's screen high up on the dash means it's easy to glance at on the move, while there are physical shortcut buttons for key features. The climate control is operated separately, too, so you won't miss an important junction when your passenger decides to adjust the temperature.

All Hyundai Bayon models come with a really rather slick 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, while the top-spec Ultimate features a fancy Bose sound system with a subwoofer.

With prices starting from around £20,500, the Hyundai Bayon is one of the most affordable small SUVs you can buy (alongside the Nissan Juke and Citroen C3 Aircross). It's not like that gets you a really basic or underpowered model, either – that's for the 100PS mild-hybrid in SE Connect trim, with its 16-inch alloy wheels, eight-inch media system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and digital instrument cluster.

You'll pay an extra £2200 for the Hyundai Bayon Premium, while the more powerful 120PS engine starts from around £23,500. The range tops out with the Hyundai Bayon Ultimate with the 120PS engine and DCT automatic gearbox, which is a still pretty reasonable £26,000 or so.

Thanks to its 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, the Hyundai Bayon officially returns up to 53.3mpg in official WLTP fuel economy tests. Although it's too new for us to have any significant Real MPG data, it should be pretty efficient in the real world. If you're looking for something a little more frugal, the hybrid Toyota Yaris Cross returns up to 64.1mpg. That's because it's a 'full' hybrid, with a bigger battery providing the ability to actually travel for short distances under electric power alone (the Bayon's mild-hybrid system merely provides a bit of electrical assistance).

The Hyundai Bayon SE Connect comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, spoiler, electrically adjustable door mirrors, LED daytime running lamps, halogen headlamps with static cornering function, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, black cloth interior, interior mood lighting, driver’s seat height adjustment, air conditioning, cruise control, drive mode select, front and rear electric windows, rear parking sensors with rear view camera, 8” display audio with DAB, smart device integration including Bluetooth with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, a 10.25” drivers digital supervision instrument cluster, steering wheel audio and telephone controls. The SE Connect is also available with a 7 Speed DCT.

The Hyundai Bayon Premium adds 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, heated front seats and steering wheel, automatic climate control air conditioning with auto windscreen defog, automatically dimming rear view mirror, LED headlamps with multifaceted reflectors, LED rear combination lamps, electric folding door mirrors, a 10.25” Touchscreen Satellite Navigation including Traffic Messaging Channel, Mapcare, Live Services and Bluelink® telematics, a wireless charging pad for compatible devices and height adjustable front seatbelts. Premium models are also available with a 7 Speed DCT and 120PS power output.

Topping the range, the Hyundai Bayon Ultimate features black gloss door mirrors, standard two-tone black roof, black and grey interior, smart key keyless entry with engine start/stop button, BOSE premium sound system with subwoofer, Blind Spot Collison Warning (BCW) and Lane Follow Assist (LFA). Ultimate models are also available with a 7 Speed DCT and 120PS power output.