Hyundai's next SUV will be called Bayon, launch expected in late October

Hyundai has officially revealed the name of its upcoming SUV as the Bayon, ahead of its festive-season launch, with the new model set to slot between the Venue and Creta.

Hyundai Motor India has officially confirmed the name of its upcoming SUV as the Hyundai Bayon, ahead of its India launch expected around the festive season. The new SUV will expand Hyundai’s portfolio between the Venue and Creta, and is being positioned as an intelligent SUV for a new generation of buyers.

The name reveal also puts recent spy shots of the SUV into perspective. Earlier this month, a Bayon test mule was spotted wearing unusual white camouflage featuring the prominent message ‘BRING IT ON’, along with words such as Innovation, Transformation, Inspiration, Reflection, Expression, Selection and Evolution. The repeated emphasis on ‘ON’ now appears to have been part of Hyundai’s pre-launch campaign, with the official name reveal film ending with the tagline ‘Intelligence ON’.

Hyundai Bayon name inspired by French city

According to Hyundai, the name Bayon is inspired by Bayonne, a city in France’s Basque Country known for its distinctive character and dynamic spirit. Hyundai says the name reflects its global design philosophy while also representing the arrival of a new SUV developed for an evolving Indian market.

Hyundai has not yet revealed the SUV’s specifications, pricing or powertrain details. However, earlier spy shots have already offered a fairly clear indication of what to expect from the India-spec model.

India-spec Hyundai Bayon gets SUV-focused design

The test mule seen previously had an upright stance, a relatively flat roof, pronounced wheel arches, roof rails and conventional pull-type door handles.

At the front, the SUV appears to feature a split-lighting setup, with a slim lighting signature positioned high on the fascia and the primary lamps mounted lower down. The side profile gets a rising window line and a prominent kink around the C-pillar, while the rear features a horizontal light signature, upright windscreen and roof-mounted spoiler.

The proportions also suggest that the India-spec Bayon will have a more conventional SUV stance than the European-spec model currently sold in international markets.

Hyundai Bayon interior and features

The cabin of the upcoming SUV has also been spotted in previous sightings. It is expected to feature a modern dashboard with two integrated digital displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system.

The steering wheel gets Hyundai’s latest four-dot motif, representing the letter ‘H’ in Morse code. Other expected equipment includes a 360-degree camera, sunroof, connected-car technology and ADAS features, although the final equipment list is likely to vary depending on the variant.

1.5-litre petrol and CNG options expected

Hyundai has not confirmed the Bayon’s engine options yet. However, the SUV is expected to use the company’s 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 115bhp and 143.8Nm in the Creta. The engine could be offered with a six-speed manual and CVT.

A factory-fitted CNG powertrain is also expected to be part of the Bayon line-up. If introduced, it could make the Bayon one of the few SUVs above the four-metre mark to offer a factory-fitted CNG option.

The Hyundai Bayon is expected to sit between the Venue and Creta in the company’s India portfolio. It could be priced in the Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh range, although Hyundai is yet to confirm pricing or launch details. More information on the SUV is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

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