New Delhi: Hyundai has revealed its new mid-size SUV Bayon. It will officially go on sale in India on October 26. The upcoming model will occupy the space
between the Venue and Creta in the brand’s SUV lineup. It will rival the likes of Maruti Suzuki Victoris.
The Bayon introduces Hyundai’s newest ‘Art of Steel’ design philosophy and has an interior layout similar to the recently unveiled Brazil-spec i20. At launch, the SUV will come with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. It will be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic gearbox. One big highlight is the introduction of a Generative AI voice assistant, making the Bayon the first Hyundai model in India to offer this technology.
Hyundai Bayon: Exterior design
The new Bayon comes with Hyundai’s ‘Art of Steel’ styling approach, giving it a sharp and contemporary appearance. Certain design elements resemble those of the recently revealed North American-spec Tucson as well. However, the Bayon gets considerably smaller proportions. Hyundai has not disclosed the SUV’s official dimensions yet, but it is expected to measure slightly over four metres in length, below the Creta.
At the front, the Bayon has a layered design with vertically separated lighting elements. Slim LED daytime running lights sit within a black trim section near the bonnet’s leading edge, creating an interpretation of Hyundai’s H-shaped lighting signature. Unlike several newer SUVs, however, the Bayon does not feature a continuous LED light bar across its width.
The main headlamp units are positioned lower down in the bumper, surrounded by substantial black cladding and silver accents.
The side profile of the Bayon features prominent wheel arches, pronounced character lines and extensive protective cladding. The petal-inspired alloy wheels add to its distinctive appearance, while the blacked-out pillars create a floating-roof effect. Hyundai has retained conventional pull-type door handles.
At the back, the SUV comes with sleek tail lamps integrated into a narrow black trim section. The Bayon lettering is prominently displayed across the tailgate, while a large roof-mounted spoiler adds a sportier touch. The rear bumper features a combination of black and silver finishes, along with additional lighting elements. Overall, the Bayon takes a more crossover-inspired approach to styling rather than following the upright, boxy proportions commonly associated with traditional SUVs.
Hyundai Bayon: Interior and features
Bayon’s feature highlight is Generative AI voice assistant
The Bayon’s cabin follows a layout similar to the Brazil-spec Hyundai i20, with a strong emphasis on digital displays and connected technology. The dashboard’s main attraction is a couple of 12.3-inch screens arranged in a connected setup. One functions as the digital instrument cluster, while the other acts as the infotainment.
Below the screens, there’s a vertically arranged climate-control panel incorporating its own display and controls. Despite the extensive use of screens, Hyundai has retained a lot of physical switches and rotary controls. Shortcut buttons are placed beneath the infotainment display, while the steering wheel features additional controls.
The centre console also incorporates touch-sensitive buttons. The steering wheel itself resembles the unit found in the Venue and includes a separate control pod for selecting driving modes. A big addition to the Bayon’s equipment list is Hyundai’s Generative AI-powered voice assistant, which makes its debut in the brand’s Indian lineup.
As per Hyundai, the system allows occupants to interact with the vehicle using conversational language rather than relying exclusively on fixed voice commands. The technology is designed to understand more natural requests and provide relevant responses, making interaction with the infotainment system more intuitive. The Bayon also comes equipped with Hyundai’s Bluelink connected-car technology, offering more than 70 features.
Other technology highlights include over-the-air software updates, integrated navigation, split-screen functionality and quick-access controls similar to those found on smartphones. The system also has multiple languages, including 10 Indian regional languages and two international languages.
Hyundai Bayon: Powertrain
Hyundai will initially offer the Bayon with a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. This is the same unit used in the Creta and produces 115hp and 144Nm of torque. Customers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual gearbox and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
While the manufacturer has not confirmed any additional powertrains, a CNG-powered version is expected to join the lineup later. Reports suggest that the CNG trim could feature an underbody-mounted tank, potentially making the Bayon Hyundai’s first CNG-powered model in India, measuring more than four metres in length.
However, details regarding the CNG powertrain, its output and launch timeline remain unconfirmed. The Hyundai Bayon is expected to carry an introductory price of around ₹9 lakh, with higher variants potentially reaching ₹14 lakh, ex-showroom.
