Hyundai Bayon - TopCarNews

Hyundai Bayon (2021 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Hyundai Bayon is the smallest SUV/crossover in the Hyundai range, which is essentially a taller and boxier version of the Hyundai i20 hatchback.

While the Bayon’s bigger brother, the Kona, has a wide variety of powertrain options to choose from – including the Kona Electric and Kona N performance model – the Bayon has only two 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines to choose from, either 99hp or 120hp; both being fitted with mild-hybrid assistance. The Hyundai Bayon is available with either a six-speed manual or a seven speed automatic.

The Bayon has received a mixed bag of reviews from the UK media, ranging from very good to fairly average ratings. Auto Express concludes that the Bayon is “bang on target” for what a compact SUV should be, explaining that “It nails its brief of being practical, it’s well equipped, packed with features, comfortable and easy to drive.”

Top Gear add that it would fit into everyday life with ease, but sum up their review by commenting that the Hyundai Bayon “manages to be pretty good at everything without being exceptional at anything.”

Carbuyer come to a similar conclusion, explaining that the Bayon does not have any defining features that help it stand out it what is already a very competitive compact SUV/crossover market, and therefore it faces “an uphill struggle against rivals like the Ford Puma and Renault Captur.”

As of November 2021, the Hyundai Bayon holds an Expert Rating of 64%, based on 14 reviews published by UK media sources. This is a new model, so the rating score may change over time as more media outlets drive all the different versions of the car on longer tests over local roads.

Bayon highlights

Good fuel economy
Generous amount of tech as standard
Roomy and practical interior
Simple and comfortable driving experience

Bayon lowlights

Digital clutch takes some getting used to
Bland performance
Interior trim has some cheap plastics
Low driving position divides opinion

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol, mild-hybrid
Price: From £20,295 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2021Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Hyundai Bayon is a fine small SUV, with striking looks, impressive levels of refinement and useful on-board tech.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The new Hyundai Bayon feels like a small SUV that’s bang on target. It nails its brief of being practical, it’s well equipped, packed with features, comfortable and easy to drive – it even arrives with value on its side. All this while making a splash with those looks.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Hyundai Bayon is a stylish compact crossover with a generous specification but faces an uphill struggle against rivals like the Ford Puma and Renault Captur.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“This is a complete, well-priced, practical and dynamically respectable compact family car.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Looking at the Bayon from a purely rational viewpoint, it makes a lot of sense. The 48v enhanced engines are refined and pull well from low revs, while the ride is comfortable. It’s also more spacious inside than many rivals and benefits from Hyundai’s five-year warranty. Sensible stuff.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Bayon is an honest car. It’s practical and affordable, as well as loaded with kit and surprisingly spacious. Though it might not be the most involving car to drive, it never makes any pretences about needing to offer this.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Hyundai Bayon is a stylish and feature-laden addition to the small SUV market.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: Range overview“Sensible and mainstream addition to Hyundai’s line-up that doesn’t do anything new but fills a gap in an important segment of the market.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview“A cheaper alternative to the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Ford Puma. Expected to start in the region of £20,000.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Hyundai’s latest SUV is packed with tech and is a comfortable steer.”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: Range overview“Hyundai Bayon Ultimate is OK to drive but the interior lets it down.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual UltimateScore: 8 / 10“Simple, capacious and reasonably economical, the Hyundai Bayon is a B-segment crossover with the accommodation of a C-segment car. Considering the equipment levels, the price is pretty good and for simple value for money with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, the Bayon gets the job done.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Manages to be pretty good at everything without being exceptional at anything, but it’ll be a doddle to live with.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Hyundai Bayon doesn’t offer the high-up driving position of many small SUVs, which is likely to put some buyers off. It’s comfortable, well equipped and roomy in the back, though.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 4 stars
Date tested: October 2021

76%

ADULT OCCUPANT

82%

CHILD OCCUPANT

76%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

67%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Hyundai Bayon has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

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