Hyundai Bayon (2026) Review

Introduction

Hyundai has simplified its 2025/26 Bayon line-up by introducing a two-trim strategy and also updated the powertrain for improved performance and efficiency.

Customers are now offered trim levels called Black Line and Tech Line, which replace the outgoing Advance, Premium and Ultimate grades.

Prices start from a competitive £23,795 and all cars are powered by the same three-cylinder, 1.0-litre 90PS petrol engine which can be matched to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox.

The Bayon is a crossover styled, five-door car with SUV-inspired design traits and boasts a spacious interior that’s generously equipped with all the mod cons we demand these days. So, it’s easy on the eye and relatively kind on the pocket too, but how does it handle when put through its paces?

We opted for Bayon in entry-level Black Line specification for our test drive and it featured the manual transmission, a feature that’s becoming increasingly uncommon in new cars.

What are the Pros and Cons of the Hyundai Bayon?

Pros:

• Easy to drive and nice to have a manual set-up
• Compact size makes it ideal for the city
• Well-equipped, spacious interior

Cons:

• Not that refined to drive
• Interior is quite cheap in places
• Limited to a single powertrain
• Boot is not particularly large

What are the first impressions of the Hyundai Bayon?

Well, there’s certainly nothing too flashy about the Hyundai Bayon but it still has plenty of kerb appeal. It’s a compact, five-door model that has smart SUV-crossover styling with a real sporty presence with being overly aggressive in the process. The new-look front grille stretches the width of the car and is flanked by the light clusters with a signature light bar across the bonnet and there are redesigned bumpers too.

From the side, it has quite a dynamic profile with sweeping lines, rear privacy glass, roof rails, body-coloured door handles and 16-inch black alloy wheels. The rear of the car is quite an angled affair with arrow-shaped LED combination lights and Hyundai badging completing the look.

Some relatively subtle body cladding gives the Bayon a slightly rugged stance and we should also mention the Lucid Lime metallic paint that featured on our test car, making it impossible to miss in any crowded car park.

What are the Hyundai Bayon’s key features?

Both the Black Line and Tech Line versions of the latest Bayon are well equipped as standard with the opportunity to fully personalise vehicles via a selection of optional extras, at a cost.

The Bayon Black Line has a 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system including Bluelink connectivity. There is a 10.25-inch digital driver display, plus rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, heated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control and 16-inch black alloys.

Step up to Tech Line and it gains automatic air conditioning, a wireless charging pad, automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor, an auto dimming rear view mirror, centre console armrest, along with 17-inch silver alloy wheels.

It is also possible to introduce an additional pack to the Bayon Tech Line that adds a panoramic sunroof, premium Bose sound system and a number of other features. This Tech Pack is not available on the Black Line cars.

However, both the Bayon Black Line and Tech Line vehicles feature the same level of safety features and driver assistance aids, which we will get to a little later on.

How does the Hyundai Bayon perform and handle when put to the test?

Powering the front-wheel drive Hyundai Bayon is a three-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine delivering 90PS and 172Nm of torque. That translates into a 0-62mph sprint time of 11.9 seconds and a top speed of 108mph.

Having the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox is always a welcome option in our book as its far more engaging for the driver. Yes, auto boxes often feature steering wheel paddles to change gears manually, but it’s not really the same.

While the Bayon is not exactly blisteringly quick off the mark, it accelerates smoothly enough and can sit effortlessly at 70mph. The engine and road surface noise does become more noticeable at higher speeds, but the ride quality impresses even when the car is unleashed on twisting country lanes. It’s grounded, balanced and body sway is kept to a minimum too. While there are definitely more dynamically engaging models out there, this Bayon is a worthy all-rounder.

Drive modes called Normal and Sport alter the dynamics and handling slightly, and the fairly light steering is appreciated in busy town centres with lots of manoeuvring through the crowds – a little more feedback would be nice on faster roads though. Parking is effortless thanks to the car’s compact dimensions stretching just over four metres, while rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera make it easy to reverse confidently into even the tightest spaces.

The driving position is quite low for a crossover but that’s not necessarily a bad thing as it makes the driving experience feel far less wallowy than some rivals and driver visibility is okay too, although the wide pillars obstruct the over-the -shoulder view slightly.

What are the day-to-day running costs with the Hyundai Bayon?

The Hyundai Bayon Black Line model with the six-speed manual gearbox is the entry-point into the line-up with an asking price of £23,795. That was the car we tested, although the upgraded Lucid Lime metallic paintwork added a further £650 to the cost. If customers opt for the seven-speed automatic transmission, the cost increases to £25,045.

Stepping up to the Bayon Tech Line, the manual version is £25,295 while the auto gearbox carries a £26,545 price-tag.

The day-to-day running costs are good but not great to be honest, with our test car delivering a combined 47.7mpg under WLTP testing, and carbon emissions of 133g/km. That CO2 figure will result in a first-year Vehicle Excise Duty charge (road tax to you and I) of £540 dropping to the standard £195 fee after 12 months.

Anyone looking at the Bayon as a business car will see a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 31 per cent. There is good news to be found though – as the Bayon costs well below the government’s Expensive Car Supplement threshold of £40k, so owners will avoid any additional financial penalties.

Hyundai enjoys an excellent reputation for developing reliable cars that will deliver years of trouble-free motoring, but for added peace of mind, the Bayon is sold with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty package. The Bayon with manual powertrain sits in insurance group 15, while the automatic model is in group 13 in Black Line and 14 for Tech Line. 

Is the interior of the Hyundai Bayon high-end and is the car tech-rich?

In a day and age where car designers seem to have overlooked the need for physical controls in favour of over-complicated touchscreen menus, the Hyundai Bayon really is a breath of fresh air.

While the mean and moody theme of the Black Line model is clear within the car thanks to black upholstered seats, black carpets, black door inserts and a black dashboard, the number of dials, buttons and switches are a shining light.

For example, the climate control functions, such as temperature, fan speed and fan direction are adjusted by proper old-fashioned dials. That’s so much easier than haptic buttons and touch-sensitive sliders on rival cars. Push a button and the seat heater comes on, while a separate control allows you to switch through the drive modes quickly and efficiently.

There is a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen that offers access to the on-board tech, including the sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, rear view camera and lots more besides. And the quick access keys at the bottom of the screen will take you directly to functions such as the map, navigation, radio, media and other features.

Behind the steering wheel (black obviously), is a 10.25-inch driver display with crystal clear readouts so you can keep a watchful eye on the speed. It’s all very simple but very user-friendly. The seats and steering wheel can be heated and are also manually adjustable, so finding a comfortable driving position takes a matter of seconds. You do sit quite low down in the Bayon, which is unusual for a crossover, but does result in a comfier ride with less rolling effect through bends. We should mention the seats are quite firm though which will become more noticeable on longer journeys.

Are practicality and boot storage requirements well catered for with the Hyundai Bayon?

The Hyundai Bayon is a dynamically-styled five-door compact SUV that’s very big on interior space. Two adults can sit comfortably up font and, provided the front seats are not pushed too far back, another two adults will fit in the back with generous amounts of leg and head room. Add a third and it becomes far too cosy, but the back seats would be ideal for a trio of youngsters.

Dimensions-wise, the Bayon stretches 4,180mm in length, is 1,775mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1,490mm tall and has a 2,580mm wheelbase. The deep boot, which is accessed via a manual opening tailgate, can hold 411 litres of kit, which is ample for the weekly supermarket run, and this increases to 1,205 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. For added convenience, the floor height can easily be raised or lowered and there are bag hooks along with an elasticated strap to help prevent items rolling around.

Additionally, you will find numerous practical storage options scattered throughout the cabin, including a glovebox, door bins with space to store a water bottle, a pocket in the back of the passenger’s seat, two front cup holders and some trays.

Is the Hyundai Bayon a safe car?

The Hyundai Bayon was tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating back in 2021 and secured four out of a maximum five stars, achieving a score of 76 per cent for adult occupant safety, 82 per cent for child occupant, 76 per cent for vulnerable road users and 67 per cent for safety assist.

All trim grades get the same safety features and driver assistance aids as standard and that includes anti-lock brakes, forward collision avoidance assist with cars, pedestrians and cyclist detection. There is intelligent speed limit assist, high beam assist, automatic lights with dusk sensor, cruise control with speed limiter, lane follow assist, lane keep assist, rear seat alert, eCall, a full suite of airbags, plus childproof rear doors along with Isofix child seat anchors.

Can I choose optional extras with the Hyundai Bayon?

The main optional extra customers can specify is a Tech Pack that costs £1,000 and this is only available on the higher Tech Line models. It adds a glass tilt and slide sunroof, a windscreen with acoustic film, and a Bose premium sound system with tweeter, external amplifier and front centre speaker.

The Bayon can also be personalised with a range of paintwork shades that cost between £325 and £650 and are available on both trim levels.

What are the rival cars to the Hyundai Bayon?

Compact crossover-SUVs are very popular right now, so the Hyundai Bayon is up against some established and accomplished rivals such as the Citroen C3 Aircross, Renault Captur, Ford Puma, Nissan Juke and Volkswagen T-Cross.

What’s the final verdict on the Hyundai Bayon?

The Hyundai Bayon is a car that seems to have gone under the radar a little bit with so many new models launching these days, many of which stem from China.

And that’s a shame because it is the complete package for anyone looking for an accomplished all-rounder. It boasts a distinctive, sporty look that’s easy on the eye without crying out for attention, while the interior has plenty of everyday tech to explore. It performs well, covers comfort and practicality bases with ease, but we’re not sure it has that ‘wow’ factor that’s essential to thrive in such a fiercely competitive sector.

Even though the phrase ‘back to basics’ still sends a shudder down my spine, it perfectly sums up the Hyundai Bayon in a positive way. It’s not overly-flashy or pretentious, but does all the basics really well. It’s kitted out with all the features we demand these days and the pricing and running costs will leave you on speaking terms with your bank manager too.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Hyundai Bayon

**Correct as of 12/03/2026. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 12 monthly payments, or £3,018.96 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.

Every lease deal is a fixed monthly cost for the whole of your contract, apart from changes to government costs, e.g. VAT changes or road fund license cost changes and in certain specific cases where the funder changes the price. Electric range quoted is WLTP.

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