Hyundai Bayon SUV review

The Hyundai Bayon is the smallest SUV in the Korean manufacturer's range, sitting below the Hyundai Kona to give the brand a direct rival for the likes of the Ford Puma, SEAT Arona, Skoda Kamiq and Citroen C3 Aircross.

Top 10 best small SUVs 2023

It can also be thought of as an SUV version of the Hyundai i20 supermini, because a lot of its parts, and even its interior, are very shared between both cars. If you prefer the raised seating position in the Bayon, it will cost around £1,500 to upgrade from an i20.

With stylish looks, the Bayon does a good job of looking fresh and distinct despite the sheer number of other small SUVs that have already flooded the market. The blend of i20 and Hyundai Tucson styling cues includes eye-catching boomerang-shaped rear lights, connected by a full-width light bar. Its nose is also very attention-grabbing, courtesy of a wide grille, low headlights and high-set daytime running lights - in a similar arrangement to the Citroen C3 Aircross. 

The interior is pitched as the most techy in the class, thanks to twin 10.25-inch screens, which flow together across the dashboard. These offer Android Auto and bring wireless Apple CarPlay to the segment for the first time.

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It’s a shame that practicality isn’t such a strong point. The 334-litre boot is around 70 litres more than the i20’s, but it’s down on the Skoda Kamiq and SEAT Arona by a similar figure. As a result, the Bayon has one of the smallest boots in the class and, while rear-seat space is generally good, there’s not a lot of room for feet under the front seats.

There's only one engine available but the 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol (with either 99bhp or 118bhp) should suit a fairly broad range of buyers. It can get the Bayon up to speed without feeling strained, and should return around 50mpg fuel economy. This has been helped by a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup and a clever manual gearbox, which can allow the engine to switch off temporarily while coasting. All the controls are very light and the Bayon rides comfortably, so while it won't quite put a smile on your face like the Puma, it's very easy to live with.

The Hyundai Bayon is a stylish and well-equipped new contender in the popular small SUV class. If you don't want a hybrid or electric powertrain, it's a slightly cheaper alternative to the Kona that deserves a place on any small-SUV shopping list.