About Bayon
The Bayon is Hyundai's compact crossover, a small SUV that takes the mechanicals of the i20 hatchback and adds a raised ride height, distinctive styling and a more practical cargo area. It takes its name from Bayonne, a city in southwestern France, reflecting its original focus on European buyers. In Europe it competes with small crossovers that city dwellers choose for their easy parking and slightly elevated driving position, and it slots in below the Kona in Hyundai's lineup.
The Bayon arrived in Europe in 2021 with split headlights and a sharp, angular design that echoed other Hyundai models of the period. It offered small turbocharged petrol engines with mild-hybrid assistance and was built in Turkey. A newer Bayon has since been unveiled for a wider set of markets, and India was among the first, with the model launched there with dual 12.3-inch displays, level 2 driver-assistance features and a price that undercuts the Creta, giving buyers a new choice between the Venue and the Creta in one of the most competitive price bands in the country.
In Europe, the Bayon faces the Ford Puma, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Volkswagen T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq and Toyota Yaris Cross. In India, it competes with the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet and Syros, Tata Nexon and Skoda Kylaq, as well as with lower variants of midsize SUVs. Its success in India matters to Hyundai, which hopes the new model will lift sales and ease the burden on the Creta in a market where it has been losing ground to local rivals.
Coverage includes Indian launch details, variant and pricing news, comparisons with the Creta and other rivals, European reviews and sales results. Watch for news of more affordable versions and additional engine choices, which Indian reports suggest are on the way, along with reviews that test whether the Bayon offers enough differentiation from Hyundai's other small SUVs to justify its place in an already crowded showroom, and whether European buyers see the same appeal in the latest version.