Used Hyundai Bayon (Mk1, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: sensible prices help its appeal
A full used buyer’s guide on the Hyundai Bayon that’s been on sale since 2021
Verdict
The Hyundai Bayon doesn’t leave its rivals trailing in its wake, but of you add up all the car’s pros and weigh them up against the cons, it’s likeable and easy to recommend. When we pitched the Bayon against the Renault Captur and Citroen C3 Aircross in 2021, the Hyundai came last, largely because it was the most expensive of the three, and its interior quality couldn’t match its rivals’. But with plenty of kit and tech along with excellent refinement, the Bayon was no duffer; and with used examples sensibly priced, this smart-looking compact Hyundai makes more sense than ever.
Small SUVs are all the rage, with most car makers offering one as demand has skyrocketed. Among them is the Hyundai Bayon, launched four years ago in the wake of the successful Santa Fe large SUV and its mid-sized (and also very successful) sibling, the Tucson. Selling alongside the Kona, another small SUV with a higher profile, the Bayon is one of those cars that just gets on quietly in the background, doing a great job. It’s no class leader, but you don’t have to dig to find plenty that appeals.
History
The Bayon arrived in the UK in July 2021. The only engine available was a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol unit with either 99bhp or 118bhp, and it came with mild-hybrid tech as standard. Both versions of the engine were offered with a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes.
Used - available now
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
38,275 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L
Cash £13,250
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
7,820 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L
Cash £15,999
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
12,985 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L
Cash £14,650
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
25,225 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £12,600Hyundai didn’t add any extra variations on the theme before it facelifted the Bayon in June 2024. This brought LED rear and daytime running lights across the board plus a refreshed nose design, and from this point on only the 99bhp engine was available, still with manual or auto ’boxes. Hyundai also bundled in a load of extra driver-assistance systems as standard across the range.
On the road
Small cars should be fun, but small SUVs rarely reward a driver, and that’s how it is here. Performance is fine, with the manual and automatic gearboxes both reasonably slick, but nothing stands out dynamically. None of the controls offer much feedback because they’re so light, but that makes urban driving a breeze, with things helped by the suspension being set up for a comfortable ride rather than pin-sharp handling.
Which one should I buy?
Both transmissions are nice enough to use, while there’s similar punch from both the 99bhp and 118bhp version of the engine at low revs.
The entry-level SE Connect comes with 16-inch alloys, an eight-inch touchscreen, air-con and rear parking sensors, plus a rear-view camera. Move up to the Premium and there are 17-inch wheels, climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, privacy glass, LED headlights and wireless phone charging. The Ultimate brings Blind Spot Collision Warning, Lane Follow Assist, keyless entry and a BOSE hi-fi.
Alternatives to the Hyundai Bayon
This is a busy segment, with a lot of options that are very appealing. One of our favourites is the Ford Puma, thanks to its engaging dynamics, modern cabin and practicality.
The VW Group offers the SEAT Arona, Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Cross, which have well designed dashboards, intuitive infotainment, impressive build quality and slick petrol engines. There’s an in-house rival in Hyundai’s very likeable Kona, which is only slightly bigger and comes with petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric powertrains.
Stellantis has several options – the Citroen C3 Aircross, Vauxhall Mokka and Peugeot 2008 – and don’t overlook the Renault Captur, which is another of our favourite small SUVs.
What to look for
On the pull
The Bayon is cleared to tow up to 1,110kg, which isn’t bad for such a small car. The unbraked weight is limited to just 450kg, though.
Going spare
Because all Bayons come with mild-hybrid tech, they have a battery under the boot floor where a spare wheel would go – so there’s no space for one.
Common glitches
There are no fault patterns yet, but electronics glitches seem to be the most common. Check the infotainment, central locking, stop-start and parking sensors.
Peace of mind
The Bayon is backed by an impressive warranty that lasts for five years with no mileage limit. Buy used and you’ll get the balance of this. Few used Bayons for sale have done more than 30,000 miles though.
Interior
The Bayon’s cabin can’t compete with some of its rivals’ when it comes to the quality of the plastics, but the design is good, and that’s especially true of the dashboard layout, which is uncluttered and easy to understand.
From the outset all Bayons came with digital instrumentation, which looks great. And in addition to that, the infotainment system is logically designed.
This may be Hyundai’s smallest SUV, but it still offers plenty of practicality, even if rear-seat space is a little tight for adults.
There are plenty of cubbyholes dotted all around the cabin, but boot capacity isn’t particularly good at 334 litres, or 1,205 litres with the back seats folded down.
Prices
The oldest Bayons are on a 21-plate, and there’s an even split between manuals and autos on the used market. The mid-range Premium trim accounts for about half of the cars available, with SE Connect and Ultimate making up a quarter each.
Check the price of a Hyundai Bayon with our free car valuation tool...
Running costs
All Bayons need to be serviced every two years or 10,000 miles, whichever comes sooner, with services alternating between Minor and Major. However, while the former is priced at around £265 for hybrid models, the latter costs £422, £569 and £736 for the second, fourth and sixth services respectively.
However, once a Bayon is more than five years old, it’s eligible for cut-price maintenance, with the Minor and Major services reduced to £199 and £299. These costs include fresh brake fluid every two years, while there is no cambelt to replace because the Hyundai’s engines are chain-driven.
Insurance groups range from 13-18, while all Bayons cost less than £40,000, so there’s no expensive new car supplement for you to worry about; road tax is charged at £195 per year across the board.
Recalls
Since the Bayon arrived in July 2021, Hyundai has issued no fewer than 33 recalls across its wider model range, but none for the Bayon, which is impressive for a car packed with so much tech.
Among those recalls issued were campaigns for faulty driveshafts (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6), electrical short circuits (Kona, Santa Fe), airbag glitches (Tucson), and problematic brake servos (i30, Kona).
Other problems that have cropped up include faulty seatbelt pre-tensioners (i10, i30, Santa Fe), and fuel tank leaks (Santa Fe). The Santa Fe could also suffer from problems with the anti-lock brake control unit and the liquid crystal panel used for the instrumentation.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
There were no Hyundais in the 2024 Driver Power new-car survey, which is odd considering how popular the brand’s cars are. In the 2023 poll the Ioniq came 11th out of 75 while the Kona managed 16th.
In the 2022 survey the Kona, i10 and Ioniq all made an appearance, in fourth, 62nd and 65th respectively. There were four Hyundais in the 2021 survey, with the Kona awarded first overall.
Used Hyundai Bayons for sale
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
46,907 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £10,900
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
33,537 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £11,999
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
33,609 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £12,000
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
43,917 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £12,099
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
30,630 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £12,1952023 Hyundai
Bayon
25,225 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £12,600
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
26,992 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £12,695
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
12,921 milesManualPetrol1.0L
Cash £12,802
2023 Hyundai
Bayon
27,147 milesManualPetrol1.0L
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