Hyundai Bayon makes global debut

The Hyundai Bayon is the South Korean automaker’s latest crossover in its lineup. The model made its global debut on March 2, 2021, and will serve as one of the smaller options in Hyundai’s breed of crossovers.

Gone are those days when options were only limited to familiar nameplates like the Santa Fe and Tucson. Today, Hyundai had vastly expanded its crossover range during the past years. The Bayon is categorized as a subcompact crossover, its dimensions lean closer with the Kona rather than the Hyundai Venue. For reference, it measures 4,180 mm long, 1,775 mm wide, and 1,490 mm tall. 

The subcompact crossover carries some familiar design cues adapted from its other stablemates like the Kona. In general, the Bayon looks clean yet modern at the same time. Notable design elements include the widely opened grille which seamlessly extends down below. The lighting system upfront also follows a common design trend applied on other Hyundai models, with the main headlight and DRLs separated from one another. 

Its modern theme continues over to the side, with some well-pronounced body lines. Like most crossovers, the Bayon also comes with black cladding. As for the wheels, they are available in 15-inch steel wheels or either a set of 16- or 17-inch alloys.

Lastly, the rear creates an illusion of wider stance, all thanks to the unified LED taillights that both look futuristic and distinctive.

Inside, the Hyundai Bayon showcases a well appointed cabin that’s both high-tech and well-laid-out. Aside from its roominess, it also gets notable features such as a 10.25-inch AVN screen and an 8-inch infotainment system which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. To complete the serene experience, the Bayon can also be had with a Bose sound system.

There are two powertrain options available for the Bayon. Customers could either opt for a 1.2-liter engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, or a 1.0-liter turbocharged motor with an optional mild-hybrid system. The more advanced power plant could either be paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed Dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Power figures of the non-turbo engine are rated at 83 hp, while the turbocharged hybrid output ranges from 99 hp to 118 hp, depending on the gearbox it’s coupled with.

Notably, it also comes with a suite of advanced safety features such as Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), High Beam Assist (HBA), and many more.

No official words yet if the Hyundai Bayon will be launched on other parts of the globe including Southeast Asia. Still, this should be a good addition to Hyundai’s Philippine lineup. With that said, we’re going to keep our fingers crossed and hope for a chance that this subcompact will make its way to the Philippines.