Hyundai Bayon: ba ing name, ba ing car
Wait, doesn’t Hyundai already sell a small SUV?
With manufacturers falling over themselves to launch compact crossover after compact crossover, it can be di cult to keep up. Take Hyundai,for instance. It seems to have forgotten it already sells the Kona, and while that car has flashy styling and a whole cornucopia of propulsion methods available, the Bayon gets just a pair of turbo three-cylinder engines with mild-hybrid assistance. No full hybrids, no electric model and certainly no spicy version.
We’ve only sampled the top-spec model with the punchiest triple under the bonnet, but with 118bhp it’s certainly not fast. It takes 10.4sec to stroll 0-62mph, though the 48-volt mild-hybrid system does provide decent low-end shove, happily trundling along at less than 1500rpm in normal tra c. It also allows the engine to shut off when the car is coasting, even if you’ve left the six-speed manual ’box in gear. It’s a trick taken from the i20 the Bayon’s based on, and can also be found in the Kia Rio.
The gearbox itself is conventional but the clutch is fly-by-wire, allowing the car’s computer to disconnect drive when it sees fit. It works smoothly and the engine can restart quickly and without fuss, although knowing where the clutch bites requires muscle memory – there is no actual feel.
The Bayon handles in a tidy fashion with modest amounts of bodyroll, plenty of grip and a pleasing balance if you do start to throw it around. But although the six-speed manual gearbox and steering can be described as light but pleasantly precise, this isn’t a car you’ll relish driving quickly. A Ford Puma is still the small SUV to beat here.
No, Hyundai has instead focused on comfort, Citroën-style, with the Bayon soaking up all but the craggiest road surfaces without the floating sensation you get in, say, Skoda’s Kamiq. With a quiet engine and tolerable wind noise, it’s a small SUV that soaks up miles rather well.
If you’re a sucker for squishy plastics and glitzy trim pieces, look away now. The dash is shared with the i20, so you’ll find predominantly
hard, scratchy black plastic with very few slivers of chrome or even silver plastic to lift things further. The switches work with precision and everything is put together solidly, as you’d expect. It’s just all rather dour in here. The 10.25in infotainment system is clear and easy to use, while physical heater controls are a welcome choice over fiddly touch alternatives.
You don’t sit particularly high, but there’s enough space and adjustment to get comfy up front. Rear headroom might be a squeeze for six-footers – a shame as legroom is good – and the boot is just above average in size. A Kamiq hammers it for rear space and a Puma has a much bigger boot. Both are factors well worth considering if you have tall friends and family or are something of a shopaholic.
Looking at the Bayon from a rational standpoint, it makes sense. The mild-hybrid engines are refined and pull well from low revs, while the ride is comfortable. It’s also more spacious inside than some rivals and benefits from a five-year warranty. But it feels like Hyundai’s creative energy all got channelled into the Ioniq 5.
First verdict
It’s awfully sensible, but then so is the far more entertaining Ford Puma. We’ll take one of those, thanks
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