Hyundai unveils India-spec Bayon SUV; launch on 26 October, bookings at ₹11,000

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) on 12 October unveiled the India-spec Bayon, a new SUV that the company calls an “Intelligent Utility Vehicle”. Prices will be announced at the launch on 26 October, and bookings can be made for ₹11,000 at Hyundai dealerships and on the company website, according to Business Today and Autocar Professional.

The reports differ on when bookings open. Business Today and Autocar India reported that bookings opened on 12 October, while Autocar Professional said bookings would open on 19 October. Deliveries are expected to begin during the festive season, with detailed timelines to be shared at launch.

Engine and positioning

Autocar Professional and Autocar India reported that the Bayon will be powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 115 PS and 144 Nm, shared with the Creta. It will be offered with a six-speed manual or an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT/CVT). Autocar India reported that a CNG version is expected later, though Hyundai has not confirmed it.

According to Autocar India, the Bayon will sit between the Venue and the Creta in Hyundai’s line-up and is aimed at the Maruti Suzuki Victoris. The publication expects it to measure just over 4 metres in length and to be priced at about ₹9 lakh to ₹14 lakh (ex-showroom). Official dimensions and prices have not been released.

Technology features

HMIL said the Bayon is its first model in India with a generative AI voice assistant. The assistant uses Perplexity and SoundHound AI voice technology to answer conversational queries. Autocar Professional reported that the assistant works only in English. Key announced features include:

• Dual 12.3-inch curved panoramic screens with individual user profiles
• Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) accelerated by NVIDIA, with split-screen mode
• More than 70 Hyundai Bluelink connected-car features
• Over-the-air updates for up to 19 controllers
• More than 500 offline voice commands in English, Hindi, Hinglish, Tamil, Bengali and Telugu
• Infotainment support for 10 regional and 2 international languages

On the exterior, Autocar India reported that the SUV follows Hyundai’s “Art of Steel” design language, with split headlamps, slim LED daytime running lamps, flared wheel arches and a roof spoiler.

Company statement

Tarun Garg, Managing Director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India, described the Bayon as “an Intelligent Utility Vehicle that places technology and convenience at the heart” of the customer experience, according to Business Today. The company has applied for the type approval certificate, Autocar Professional reported.

Sources: Business Today, Autocar Professional, Autocar India