Hyundai has given its compact Bayon crossover a mid-life refresh, which includes updated exterior looks and an on-board tech upgrade.
The Korean brand will be hoping that this facelift for the Bayon – which first arrived on UK roads in 2021 – will increase the model’s appeal in a seriously crowded and competitive small SUV class that is currently dominated by the best-selling Ford Puma.
Starting with the car’s new looks, the Bayon has been given a few front fascia tweaks that Hyundai says makes the car look “sharp and distinctive”. A new daytime running light bar runs across the width of the bonnet – much like the new Hyundai Kona – and the pattern and shape of the front grille have been changed to give the car a more “rugged” appearance.
The manufacturer adds that it has added more body-coloured fixtures to the rear bumper, and the 16- or 17-inch alloy wheel choices have a new alloy design too. Four extra body colours have also been added to the options list (nine total) and a two-tone roof can be specced for an extra fee.
Stepping inside, the layout of the dashboard remains broadly the same post-update, including the previously available ten-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and the ten-inch central infotainment screen. Formerly offered with higher trim levels, these two displays are now available as standard.
This infotainment setup has also gained over-the-air navigation map updates and customisable LED back-lighting.
The engine line-up looks largely the same too, but with one absence. Just like the i20 hatchback refresh, Hyundai has scrapped the Bayon’s mild-hybrid options as part of this update.
Three trims are available that are all powered by the same 100hp 1.0-litre petrol engine and either a six-speed or seven-speed automatic transmission, starting with the entry-level ‘Advance’. This package includes both ten-inch dashboard displays shown above, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a rear view parking camera, 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, roof rails and lane-keeping assistance tech.
The mid-range ‘Premium’ adds climate control functions, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, front parking sensors, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. Finally, the range-topping ‘Ultimate’ comes with a premium Bose sounds system, blind spot monitoring, keyless entry and start up, a glass sunroof and wireless smartphone charging.
That sums up the changes this Bayon facelift introduces. Now available to order in the UK, pricing begins at around £23k, rising to around £27k for the top-spec ‘Ultimate’ trim and seven-speed automatic gearbox configuration.
