The improved version of Hyundai's Bayon offers yet another option at the more affordable end of the small SUV segment. Jonathan Crouch takes a look

Ten Second Review

Hyundai's entry-level crossover model is this car, the Bayon, here usefully updated. It takes established engineering from the brand's i20 supermini and delivers it with the trendier crossover vibe that customers for small cars increasingly want. Plus there's also the advantage of a more sophisticated and more spacious cabin than you'd get with a conventional small hatch. This is a much-copied formula of course, but this Hyundai delivers it with value and a class-leading warranty.

Background

You'd be forgiven for not knowing that Hyundai has an entry-level SUV, the Bayon. Most of the headlines get taken by the brand's only slightly larger Kona crossover model, but if you don't need that car's Hybrid or EV drivetrains, then the Bayon offers most of what you want at a significant price saving. It's basically a crossover version of the company's i20 supermini, which used to offer an SUV-style iX20 derivative. Launched in 2021, the Bayon more credibly succeeded that rarely-purchased variant but has been quite a rarely seen sight on our roads since. Perhaps that will change with this facelifted model.

Driving Experience

All the mechanicals here are borrowed from the i20 supermini, which means that unlike the brand's only slightly-larger Kona crossover, there are no full-Hybrid or full-EV drivetrains available. Instead, the range continues to be primarily built around a 1.0-litre turbocharged T-GDi petrol turbo three cylinder engine offering 100PS. This powerplant can be matched either with the brand's clever 6-speed 'iMT' Intelligent Manual Transmission (with 172Nm of torque) or a 7-speed dual clutch DCT automatic gearbox (200Nm). As usual with mild hybrid technology, the difference this makes out on the road is difficult to feel; there's a fraction more mid-range throttle response; and the start/stop system cuts in a little earlier at urban speeds. That's about it. Whatever your choice of engine, you get three selectable driving modes - 'Eco', 'Normal' or 'Sport' - with the latter offering a rev matching function for the iMT manual gearbox. That iMT set-up allows the car to enter into two possible levels of coasting depending on the conditions, the first leaving the engine idling and the second turning it off completely, though it will of course spring to life again the moment your foot touches the throttle.

Design and Build

From the outside, you might think this facelifted Bayon was an all-new model, because the front end visage is quite different. There is now much more of a Kona-style look, with a new headlight signature that runs the width of the front. Plus the bumper's been revised for 'a more rugged appearance' and the grille's been restyled too. Other changes include revised 16 or 17-inch wheels and a restyled bumper under the arrow-shaped tail lamps. A two-tone roof is optional. The interior isn't quite the avant-garde design-fest you get in a Kona, but it now looks considerably more sophisticated thanks to the standard inclusion of a pair of 10.25-inch screens. As an option, the instrument display can be configurable with different graphics that change with drive mode. The infotainment screen features 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto', along with over-the-air updates and the latest version of Hyundai's Bluelink telematics system. Plus it can be linked to a premium 8-speaker Bose audio system. LED interior lighting has also now been added, with the option of multi-colour front ambient lighting. As before, the rear seat reaps the benefit of a relatively long 2,580mm wheelbase, which allows back seat folk 882mm of legroom. As for the cargo area, well there's a 411-litre boot, which can be extended to 1,205-litres with the split-folding rear bench pushed right flat.

Market and Model

Prices start at around £22,500 and there's a choice of 'Advance', 'Premium' and 'Ultimate' trim levels with a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Customers opting for 'Premium' or 'Ultimate' specifications also have the choice of a higher 120PS output combined with either transmission option. Even base 'Advance' trim gets you quite a lot - specifically 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a rear spoiler, interior mood lighting, air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera and a 'drive mode select' driving modes system. There's also a 10.25-inch 'Driver's Digital Supervision' instrument cluster screen. And infotainment's taken care of by a 10.25-inch 'Display Audio' central screen with a DAB audio system, plus smart device integration including Bluetooth with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mid-range 'Premium' trim adds to that with 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, heat for the front seats and steering wheel, automatic climate control air conditioning with auto windscreen defog, an automatically dimming rear view mirror, LED headlamps with multifaceted reflectors, LED rear combination lamps and electric folding door mirrors. Top 'Ultimate' trim gives you a two-tone black roof, smart key keyless entry, a BOSE premium sound system, Blind Spot Collison Warning (BCW) and Lane Follow Assist (LFA).

Cost of Ownership

The Bayon's efficiency figures are very little different to those of the i20 supermini it's based upon. So, from this 1.0-litre engine, that means WLTP-rated readings of 51.4mpg on the combined cycle and 125g/km of CO2 (it's 124g/km for the auto). A strong buying incentive is the five year unlimited mileage warranty that comes as standard. It's backed up by breakdown cover that last the same length of time and free annual vehicle health checks over this duration. True, rival brand Kia claims to better this package by offering a similar seven year deal, but there, you're limited to 100,000 miles. Insurance is group 14.

Summary

With the Kona small SUV selling well in the showrooms, you might question whether Hyundai really still needs this car. It does - and the brand is far from being alone in offering a pair of very compact Crossover contenders in this segment. At the time of this updated model's launch in early 2024, Vauxhall, Fiat, Honda and Toyota were all also taking much the same approach - which works fine providing the two products in question are fundamentally different, as is certainly the case here. This improved Bayon manages to make good use of its i20 underpinnings and engineering while remaining very much its own car; we'd certainly expect it to out-sell its small hatch showroom stablemate. In recent times, the brand has certainly produced more memorable designs than this, but most of them are far more expensive. This car delivers just enough design flair to satisfy its fashion-orientated target audience and keep pace with an increasingly talented set of rivals. Will that be sufficient for long term success in this rapidly evolving segment? It'll be interesting to see.