Hyundai Launches Bayon SUV in India Starting at Rs 9.99 Lakh

Hyundai Motor India has officially introduced its latest crossover, the Hyundai Bayon, with introductory prices starting at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Positioned directly between the Venue and the Creta in the company's sport utility vehicle lineup, the Bayon is manufactured locally at Hyundai's Chennai facility and is slated for export to 50 countries. Official bookings are currently open for a token amount of Rs 11,000 through authorized dealerships and the official brand website, with vehicle deliveries anticipated to commence during the festive season in early November.

Measuring 4,245 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width, and 1,605 mm in height with a 2,600 mm wheelbase, the Bayon features a practical urban footprint and an impressive ground clearance of 205 mm. The exterior styling showcases slim inverted L-shaped LED daytime running lights, bumper-mounted LED headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, and protective body cladding equipped with silver skid plates. Inside, the vehicle offers a spacious 505-litre boot capacity alongside a dual-tone black-and-grey interior theme.

Under the hood, the Bayon relies on a single 1.5-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated MPi petrol engine that produces 115 PS of maximum power and 144 Nm of peak torque. Power is directed to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or a Continuously Variable Transmission, which Hyundai refers to as an iVT. The CVT variant achieves a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.6 kilometers per liter and includes three standard drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—alongside a specialized 'Dash Boost' mode designed to improve overtaking responsiveness.

The vehicle is offered across seven distinct trim levels: HX2, HX3, HX3+, HX5, HX6, HX8, and HX10. While lower trims are restricted to the manual transmission, the mid-level HX5 and higher tiers offer the CVT option. Entry-level pricing starts at Rs 10 lakh for the base HX2 manual variant, while higher trims introduce premium amenities such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, leatherette upholstery, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and a wireless phone charger.

Technology takes center stage inside the cabin, particularly in top-tier trims featuring a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit setup with dual 12.3-inch displays housed in a curved panoramic layout. Notably, the Bayon is Hyundai's first vehicle in the market to incorporate a built-in generative AI voice assistant powered by Perplexity and SoundHound technologies, which allows occupants to execute various functions through intuitive voice commands supporting 23 regional languages.

Comprehensive safety specifications are standard across the lineup, including six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, a rollover sensor, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Higher-tier models add advanced driver assistance systems through Hyundai SmartSense Level 2 Pro ADAS, which features 23 functions supported by multiple radars and parking sensors. Additionally, top configurations include a 360-degree camera, all-wheel disc brakes, and an electronic parking brake.

Looking ahead, Hyundai has confirmed plans to expand the Bayon lineup by introducing a CNG-powered variant equipped with an underbody-mounted tank in January 2027. Unlike other models in the brand's portfolio, the Bayon does not currently offer turbo-petrol or diesel engine options at launch.