A new SUV joins the Hyundai family. Based on the i20, the Korean firm shows the Bayon, an urban adventurer with striking design, cutting-edge technology, and classic combustion engines and with light hybridization.
Hyundai is in the process of expansion and its strategy, it seems that there cannot be a gap in the market without trying to put one of its models in it. In the last 12 months, its activity has been frantic -pandemic aside-, with the new generations of the i10, i20, Tucson, or Santa Fe; with the renewal of the i30 or the Kona, and also, of course, with that new electrical strategy starring the Ioniq brand and its first model, the Ioniq 5.
But amid all the frenzy, they have also had time to find places where they can still grow. The urban SUV segment is one of them and that’s where the Bayon comes in now. A model that we could be tempted to think of is the replacement for the i20 Active … But we would be wrong. Because it is much more.
To begin with, visually we see that this Bayon -whose name derives from the French town of Bayona- bets on a much more SUV design, closer to the Kona than the i20. The same as the i20 Active it was clear that it was an i20, in the Bayon that could not be said categorically. Although both share a platform, development, and a large part of mechanical elements or propulsion systems.
About the same size as the Kona
It measures 4.18 meters in length, 1,775 mm in width, and 1,490 mm in height, which means that it is only two centimeters shorter than a Kona, and its wheelbase of 2,580 mm is also two centimeters shorter than in the Kona. Also, it has a trunk of 411 liters, larger than the Kona (374 liters).
Those measures could call into question Hyundai’s strategy of placing two models in the same segment. But the idea of the brand is clear. The Kona is committed to a range of more powerful engines and also with a higher degree of electrification (mild hybrid, classic hybrid, and electric) which increases the price and in the Bayon, the range of engines has classic combustion versions and hybrid options lightweight with 48-volt technology. This will make it possible to adjust prices further and reach a greater number of people.
Without giving up the most advanced technology, it is one of the brand’s efforts to democratize technology. And in this Bayon, both in communication and infotainment systems and in safety and driving aids, you can access the most advanced available to the brand.
2021 Hyundai Bayon Engine
In the engine range, we find, therefore, a range of gasoline engines with and without 48-volt hybridization. The star of these engines is the three-cylinder 1.0 T-GDi that is offered with 100 or 120 hp and 48-volt technology. You can have the new 6-speed intelligent manual transmission (6iMT) or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT). In the case of the less powerful variant, the 100 hp is also available without 48V technology and with a classic 6-speed manual transmission. In the three versions of the 1.0 T-GDI engine, the Bayon has a driving mode selector to adjust the car’s performance to the needs of each moment. These are the Eco, Normal, and Sport modes.
In addition to these variants, there will be an entry version to the Bayon range with the 84 hp 1.2 MPi four-cylinder engine that is managed by a five-speed manual gearbox. They are engines seen in the Hyundai i20 that guarantee a great balance between performance and efficiency.
The bet on the engines seems clear towards logic or balance, without excesses in the power or performance figures. But also adjusting spending, because they are all engines in which savings are very present.
Where it can be said that there is excess, it is in the technological sections, in which Hyundai has bet very strongly. And although we are talking about a popular car in its pretensions and towards the public to which it is directed, that does not prevent it from having exhaustive equipment.
If we look at the connectivity section, we see how it incorporates an 8-inch central touch screen as standard, which can be 10.25 with the integrated AVN navigation system. It can also incorporate a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel. It’s the most eye-catching of an infotainment system that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Also, connectivity for all passengers is guaranteed with two USB ports for the front passengers and one for those in the rear seats that allow charging up to three devices at the same time. And one of the front ports also accepts data transfer, allowing occupants to connect their phones to the vehicle’s infotainment system. And it has a wireless charging system and high-quality Bose audio equipment.
This connectivity is joined by connected services with the latest generation of the BlueLink system that includes services such as connected routes and a new user profile function or calendar integration so that your Google or Apple calendar can be viewed on the system. of infotainment of the vehicle, send the location of the appointment to the navigator … To these functions are added other more classic ones such as locating, locking and unlocking the car remotely, maintenance data, fuel level … intuitive and can be controlled by voice.
Driving
And in safety functions and driving aids, they have not skimped at Hyundai either. The Hyundai SmartSense program brings together the same functions as other much more expensive and larger models in the range. It has semi-autonomous driving features like Lane Following Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with the car, pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as a new intersection turning feature, which can apply brakes to avoid a collision the oncoming car when turning left at an intersection. It adds intelligent cruise control based on navigation that thanks to the navigation system can adjust the speed autonomously when driving on the motorway or highway.
It also has the driver monitored with functions such as the driver attention alert, which works in conjunction with the preceding vehicle exit alert, which draws attention to the driver when the vehicle in front begins to move forward and does not react quickly enough. Rear occupant alert is another of the equipment that makes the Bayon stand out and that warns if, for example, a child has been left in the back seat.
On that side of technology, the Hyundai Bayon 2021 cannot be blamed for anything. Neither on the design side, always highly debatable, but which is undoubtedly distinctive. In the front, we see a very personal grill, with a lighting system in which we find headlights in three zones, the main lights next to the air intakes, and the daylights in a horizontal arrangement above the hood line. The wedge-shaped site and arrow-shaped C-pillar are very original and match very well with the wheel arch liners to give it a lot of personality in this view. And at the rear, the arrow-shaped lights joined by a line that connects both sides are the most striking of a truly original rear. Exterior styling is finished with details such as the 15-, 16- or 17-inch wheels, or the nine exterior colors, including options with a contrast roof.
A modern look for an adventurer that will be available on the market shortly. Ready for adventures in the city.
