Hyundai Bayon

Hyundai Bayon: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Hyundai Bayon buyer’s main choice is between the 84 hp 1.2 MPi MT and the 998 cc 1.0 T-GDi versions with 100 or 120 hp. The 1.2 MPi MT is the lightest but also the slowest, while the 120 hp 1.0 T-GDi models deliver the quickest acceleration and highest top speed.

The Hyundai Bayon buyer’s main choice is between the 84 hp 1.2 MPi MT and the 998 cc 1.0 T-GDi versions with 100 or 120 hp. The 1.2 MPi MT is the lightest but also the slowest, while the 120 hp 1.0 T-GDi models deliver the quickest acceleration and highest top speed. Transmission choice also matters: the original generation offers 5-speed and 6-speed Manual gearboxes plus a 7-speed Robotic transmission, whereas the restyled range in the supplied data contains a 5-speed Manual 1.2 MPi MT and a 6-speed Robotic 1.0 T-GDi iMT. All listed versions are Gasoline, FWD, SUV 5-doors models with 165 mm ground clearance and a 40-litre tank. No price data is supplied, so no version can be judged by purchase price.

Hyundai Bayon generations and version choice

The Hyundai Bayon has one generation represented in two production phases. The original 1 generation started in February 2021 and is listed with six versions, all using the SUV 5-doors body. This phase provides the broadest choice: 84, 100, or 120 hp; Manual or Robotic transmission; and 5, 6, or 7 gears.

The 1 generation, restyling started in January 2024 and remains part of the same first generation. It is listed with two SUV 5-doors versions: 1.2 MPi MT with 84 hp and 1.0 T-GDi iMT with 100 hp. Compared with the earlier six-version range, the supplied restyling data does not include a 120 hp version or a 7-speed transmission. The restyled 1.2 MPi MT changes from 62 to 61 kW while retaining 84 hp, 118 Nm, 13.5-second acceleration to 100 km/h, and a 166 km/h top speed. The restyled 1.0 T-GDi iMT retains 100 hp, 73 kW, and 172 Nm, but its listed transmission changes from 6-speed Manual to 6-speed Robotic.

Hyundai Bayon engine specs and transmission comparison

Displacement alone does not identify the stronger engine. The 1197 cc 1.2 MPi MT produces about 70.2 hp per litre, while the 100 hp 998 cc versions produce about 100.2 hp per litre. Both 120 hp 998 cc versions reach about 120.2 hp per litre. On specific output, the 120 hp 1.0 T-GDi choices therefore lead the catalogue.

Torque separates the versions further. The 1.2 MPi MT provides 118 Nm at 4200 rpm. The 100 hp 1.0 T-GDi versions provide between 171 and 175 Nm, with their listed torque beginning at 1500 rpm. The 120 hp 1.0 T-GDi iMT has 171 Nm at 1500 rpm, while the 120 hp 1.0 T-GDi DCT reaches the range maximum of 204 Nm at 2000–3500 rpm.

Hyundai Bayon performance, fuel consumption, and emissions

The two 120 hp versions are the performance choices: both reach 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds and have a top speed of 185 km/h. That makes them 3.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 19 km/h faster than the 84 hp 1.2 MPi MT.

Between the 100 hp options, both 1.0 T-GDi iMT entries and the 1.0 T-GDi MT reach 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds and attain 183 km/h. The 100 hp 1.0 T-GDi DCT takes 11.7 seconds and reaches 180 km/h, so its 7-speed Robotic transmission accompanies a 1.0-second slower acceleration time and a 3 km/h lower maximum speed than the 100 hp Manual versions.

Among versions with measured combined consumption, the 120 hp 1.0 T-GDi DCT records the lowest figure at 5.4 L/100 km. The other measured 998 cc combined figures are 5.5 L/100 km, while the original 1.2 MPi MT records 5.7 L/100 km. These figures should not be mixed with entries where only highway consumption was measured.

Hyundai Bayon dimensions, weight, tank, and wheel sizes

No exterior length, width, height, wheelbase, or trunk-space measurement is included in the supplied data, so each is not measured. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version. Every listed Bayon has 165 mm ground clearance and a 40-litre fuel tank.

The original 1.0 T-GDi iMT with 120 hp has the best power-to-weight relationship at about 9.3 kg/hp. It weighs the same 1120 kg as the 100 hp 1.0 T-GDi iMT, so its additional 20 hp reduces the weight carried by each horsepower by about 1.9 kg.

The 100 hp 1.0 T-GDi DCT weighs 1255 kg, which is 135 kg more than the 100 hp original 1.0 T-GDi iMT. The 120 hp 1.0 T-GDi DCT weighs 1266 kg, or 146 kg more than the 120 hp iMT. Buyers prioritizing low kerb weight should note that the 1.2 MPi MT is lightest at 1045 kg, although its lower power produces a less favorable weight-per-horsepower result than the 120 hp iMT.

Which Hyundai Bayon version should you choose?

For the strongest all-round specification, choose the original-generation 1.0 T-GDi DCT (120 hp). It combines the highest torque, 204 Nm, with the quickest 10.4-second acceleration time, the highest 185 km/h top speed, and the lowest measured combined consumption, 5.4 L/100 km. Its trade-off is the highest kerb weight, 1266 kg.

For the best power-to-weight result, choose the original-generation 1.0 T-GDi iMT (120 hp). It matches the 120 hp DCT’s 10.4-second acceleration and 185 km/h top speed while weighing 146 kg less. Its measured combined consumption is 5.5 L/100 km, only 0.1 L/100 km above the 120 hp DCT, although it produces 33 Nm less torque.

For a 100 hp Manual option, the original 1.0 T-GDi MT is the lightest at 1095 kg. The original 1.0 T-GDi iMT (100 hp) weighs 1120 kg but has 172 Nm rather than 171 Nm; both record 10.7 seconds to 100 km/h and 183 km/h. The 100 hp 1.0 T-GDi DCT (100 hp) offers the 7-speed Robotic gearbox and 175 Nm, but it is heavier and slower than those Manual alternatives.

For the lowest kerb weight and the least powerful specification, choose 1.2 MPi MT in either production phase. Both entries weigh 1045 kg, produce 84 hp and 118 Nm, reach 100 km/h in 13.5 seconds, and top out at 166 km/h. The original version has measured combined consumption of 5.7 L/100 km; the restyled version has highway consumption of 5.7 L/100 km, while its combined figure is not measured.

For a restyled Bayon, the supplied choice is direct. The 1.0 T-GDi iMT has 16 hp and 54 Nm more than the restyled 1.2 MPi MT, accelerates to 100 km/h 2.8 seconds sooner, and reaches a top speed 17 km/h higher. Choose the restyled 1.2 MPi MT for its 75 kg lower kerb weight and 5-speed Manual gearbox; choose the restyled 1.0 T-GDi iMT for stronger performance and its 6-speed Robotic transmission.

Price, spec-level equipment, interior features, engine-oil requirements, coolant requirements, reliability, and engine problems are not measured in the supplied data. Consequently, the catalogue can compare the versions by specification and performance, but it cannot determine which one offers the lowest purchase price or the best equipment value.