Hyundai opens bookings for Bayon midsize SUV ahead of October launch

UPDATE - follow-up to Hyundai Bayon revealed ahead of October 26 launch: Hyundai Motor India has fully unveiled the new Bayon midsize SUV ahead of its price announcement and market launch on October 26, 2026, with official bookings now open for Rs 11,000 at dealerships and online. Measuring 4.2 metres in length, the Bayon will slot directly between the Venue and the larger Creta in the carmaker's lineup, taking on rivals like the Maruti Victoris.

Design and Interior

The Bayon adopts Hyundai's 'Art of Steel' design language with an upright stance, a sculpted bonnet, flared wheel arches, and chunky black and silver cladding. Up front, it features slim H-Edge LED daytime running lights above the main headlamp units, while the rear sports a black panel with spaced-out Bayon lettering. Inside, the dual-tone cabin shares its layout with the Brazil-spec i20 and is highlighted by a curved panoramic panel housing dual 12.3-inch displays for instrumentation and infotainment. The vehicle also includes physical shortcut buttons, rotary knobs, and a four-dot steering wheel with a standalone drive mode pod.

Tech and Engine

A major highlight is Hyundai's first generative AI voice assistant in India, combining Perplexity and SoundHound AI technology to handle conversational requests in English, alongside more than 500 offline voice commands across multiple languages. Powering the Bayon at launch is a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 115hp and 144Nm of torque, paired with manual and CVT gearbox options. Expected to be priced between Rs 9 lakh and 14 lakh, the SUV aims to capture festive season momentum following Hyundai's record-breaking monthly sales in September.

Context

Automakers in India frequently target the competitive midsize SUV segment with multiple overlapping models to capture different price points and buyer preferences. By introducing a crossover-styled vehicle between smaller sub-compact models and larger traditional SUVs, brands can offer buyers more varied choices without losing customers to rival manufacturers.