Hyundai to launch Bayon mid-size SUV in India during festive season

Hyundai plans to launch the Bayon mid-size SUV in India during the festive season. The vehicle will serve as one of two new nameplate additions for Hyundai India in the financial year 2027. It will compete in the mid-size SUV market with a positioning that differs from the Creta. Hyundai intends to use a two-model strategy in this segment, placing the Bayon on the lower rung and the Creta on the higher rung. The Bayon will feature fuel-efficient powertrains such as CNG, while the Creta will offer wider choices including a hybrid version in its next generation due in 2027. In the local lineup, the Bayon will fit between the Venue compact SUV and the Creta. The India-specific Bayon will differ from the global model, featuring a completely different top hat and interior despite sharing the nameplate. Power is expected to come from a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with manual and CVT gearbox options. It will also be the first Hyundai model over four metres in length to offer CNG power, likely using the 1.5-litre motor with an underbody-mounted tank. Design sketches and spy shots reveal a crossover-style design rather than a boxy SUV stance. The front features a split-headlamp setup with half-split H-shaped daytime running lights and a bumper scuff plate. The side profile includes an upward kink in the window line, pull-type door handles, flared wheel arches, and dual-tone alloy lamps. The rear comes with a roof-mounted spoiler, LED tail-lamps matching the daytime running light signature, and a smooth bumper finish. Inside, the layout resembles the Brazil-spec fourth-generation i20. The dashboard includes a curved dual-screen setup similar to the Venue and a vertical centre console with physical knobs. A black-and-white theme is expected, along with a three-spoke steering wheel featuring a four-dot Morse code motif for the letter H. Features will include a sunroof, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, a 360-degree camera, and a level 2 ADAS suite. The expected price ranges between Rs 9 lakh and Rs 14 lakh ex-showroom, placing it in competition with the Maruti Victoris, MG Astor, Volkswagen Taigun, Honda Elevate, and Skoda Kushaq.