Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has announced that its highly anticipated new mid-size SUV will be called the Bayon. The name, derived from Bayonne, a city in the French Basque Country, reflects a commitment to distinctive character and a dynamic spirit in the automotive market.
Scheduled for a launch during India's festive season in 2026, the Hyundai Bayon is poised to strengthen the carmaker's strong SUV portfolio. Tarun Garg, Managing Director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India Ltd, emphasized the vehicle's technological advancements. "This model is going to be much more technology heavy. We are going to use SDV platform for young-age customers," Garg stated.
Expected Specifications and Features
The Bayon is anticipated to share its engine with the popular Creta, featuring a 115hp 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. Buyers can expect both 6-speed manual and CVT transmission options. A significant potential addition is a CNG option with an underbody tank, which would make the Bayon the first Hyundai model over four meters to offer a factory-fitted CNG variant.
Hyundai views the Bayon as more than just a new SUV, aiming to introduce a new mindset. Garg added, "Bayon represents a new mindset – one that reflects our ambition to create experiences that are intelligent, intuitive and meaningful for our customers." This aligns with Hyundai's global design and product philosophy, targeting a new generation of tech-savvy customers.
The launch comes at a time of rapid growth in India's mid-size SUV segment, currently led by the Hyundai Creta, which records approximately 200,000 unit sales annually. The Bayon is expected to significantly boost Hyundai's volumes in this high-demand category.
Beyond the Bayon, Hyundai has also confirmed plans to introduce a dedicated electric vehicle later this financial year. This compact EV will be an all-new model, not merely an electric variant of an existing vehicle like the Venue, signaling Hyundai's broader electrification strategy for the Indian market.