Hyundai has unveiled its latest SUV, the Bayon, for the European market. The Bayon is a compact crossover that combines style, practicality, and technology in a sleek package. The Bayon is named after the city of Bayonne in France, a popular destination for outdoor activities. The name reflects the Bayon’s versatility and adventurous spirit.
Design: A Unique and Eye-Catching SUV
The Bayon’s design is inspired by Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design identity, which aims to create emotional value and appeal for customers. The Bayon features a distinctive and harmonious exterior that blends sharp lines and smooth surfaces. The Bayon’s front end is dominated by a wide grille and slim headlights that create a dynamic and aggressive look. The Bayon also has unique triangular-shaped air intakes and LED daytime running lights that enhance its sporty and modern character.
A long hood, a fast roofline, and a short overhang characterize the Bayon’s side profile. The Bayon has a high ground clearance of 6.7 inches, which gives it a robust and confident stance. The Bayon also has arrow-shaped C-pillars and hidden rear door handles that add to its coupe-like and elegant appearance. The Bayon’s rear end is marked by a horizontal tailgate and arrow-shaped taillights connected by a thin red line. The Bayon also has a rear skid plate and a rear spoiler emphasizing its SUV and aerodynamic qualities.
The Bayon’s interior is designed to offer a spacious, comfortable, and high-tech environment for the driver and passengers. The Bayon has a generous and class-leading cargo space of 14.8 cubic feet, which can be expanded to 41.1 cubic feet by folding the rear seats. The Bayon also has a flat floor and wide trunk opening, making loading and unloading easy. The Bayon’s interior also has a 10.25-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that provide a seamless and intuitive user experience. The Bayon also has a wireless smartphone charging pad, a Bose premium sound system, and a smartphone connectivity feature that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Performance: A Fuel-Efficient and Fun-to-Drive SUV
The Hyundai Bayon’s performance is powered by a range of fuel-efficient and eco-friendly engines that deliver a smooth and responsive driving experience. The Bayon offers two gasoline engine options: a 1.0-liter T-GDI with 100 horsepower or 120 horsepower and a 1.2-liter MPi with 84 horsepower. The 1.0-liter T-GDI engine also comes with a 48-volt mild hybrid system that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 11%. The Bayon also offers three transmission options: a six-speed manual, a seven-speed dual-clutch, or a six-speed intelligent manual. The six-speed intelligent manual transmission is a clutchless manual transmission that enables the driver to shift gears without using a clutch pedal.
The Hyundai Bayon’s performance is also enhanced by smart and innovative features that improve its safety, convenience, and fun. The Bayon is equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense safety package, which includes advanced driver assistance systems such as forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning, driver attention warning, intelligent speed limit assist, and high beam assist. The Bayon also has a rearview camera and a rear parking assist system that helps the driver park and maneuver the vehicle. The Bayon also has a drive mode select feature that allows the driver to choose between normal, sport, and eco modes, depending on the driving conditions and preferences.
Price and Availability: A Competitive and Affordable SUV
Hyundai has yet to announce Bayon’s price and availability, but it is expected to be a competitive and affordable option for the European SUV market. The Bayon is designed to appeal to a young, urban customer base that values style, practicality, and technology. The Bayon is also expected to strengthen Hyundai’s SUV lineup in Europe, including the Kona, the Tucson, the Nexo, and the Hyundai Santa Fe. We estimate the price of the Hyundai Bayon to be around €21,645 - €24,245 in Europe and $23,995 - $28,995 in the US.