All-New Hyundai Bayon Compact SUV Revealed! Sportier Compact SUV To Sit Below Creta

With the compact SUV segment growing and the Creta about to grow larger, there is a small gap between the Venue sub-4-metre SUV and the soon-to-arrive generation update of the Creta. To fill that gap, Hyundai has pulled the wraps off the new Bayon compact SUV, which is a sporty-looking crossover from Hyundai based on the new global i20. The launch is confirmed to take place on the 26th of this month, with deliveries to commence by the festive season. Meanwhile, bookings have already opened for Rs 11,000.

Let’s explore what we see. 

2026 Hyundai Bayon: Exterior

The Bayon also follows the split headlamp trend, with the L-shaped DRLs sitting at either end, which, interestingly, are not connected.

The compact SUV carries the air dam with the LED headlamps sitting at either end. The bumper is finished off with a sporty faux skid plate, which gives it an SUV touch. 

Over to the side, the silhouette makes it evident that this is a crossover SUV. This grown hatchback-style SUV includes chunky touches like the rugged roof rails and the black wheel arches. Moreover, the 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels give it good proportions as well.

Meanwhile, the rear end tastefully carries over the design theme. You find the L-shaped LED tail lamps here, which match the DRLs. Nothing here screams big, but only sporty. 

2026 Hyundai Bayon: Interior

The interior of the Bayon takes a new design approach. The theme here is more vertical, especially thanks to the vertically mounted AC vents. 

However, we do find the familiar curved dual-screen setup found in the new Venue. The low-set dashboard and the black-and-white interior theme give the Bayon a good sense of space.

2026 Hyundai Bayon: Features

The Bayon, in typical Hyundai fashion, packs in a long list of features. Though Hyundai has not confirmed the full list of features, the images reveal the dual 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment and the driver’s display. The touchscreen infotainment will include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other features we spot are automatic climate control, drive modes, ventilated seats, smart key with push-button start, and connected car technology.

Safety-wise, we expect the Bayon to get 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic parking brake (EPB), hill-hold control, 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, and auto-dimming inside rear-view mirror (IRVM). The Bayon will also get Level-2 ADAS features.

2026 Hyundai Bayon: Powertrain

The Bayon will get a single engine option for now, which will be the familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with a 6-speed manual and an IVT transmission. Powertrain specifications are as follows:

MT - Manual Transmission, IVT - Intelligent Variable Transmission (automatic)

2026 Hyundai Bayon: Expected Price And Rivals

The Hyundai Bayon is expected to be priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Bayon will go against the likes of the Maruti Grand Vitara, Maruti Victoris, Toyota Hyryder,  the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, Honda Elevate, Nissan Tekton, Tata Sierra, Renault Duster and the MG Astor.

ZigSays…

The much-awaited Hyundai Bayon offers a sportier-looking alternative in the compact SUV space. Having said that, we wish they had offered the more powerful 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which would put it against the likes of the German siblings in the class. 

However, the fact that this sits between the Venue and the Creta will make sure that a person shopping in this space has fewer reasons to ignore Hyundai.