October 26 : Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) entered the competitive mid-size SUV segment on Monday, October 26, 2026, with the launch of the India-specific Bayon. The SUV is unveiled at an introductory price starting at ₹ 9,99,900.
Hyundai plans to position the Bayon between the Venue and Creta in its domestic lineup. The India-specific Bayon differs significantly from the model sold in international markets, where the SUV features a hatchback-inspired design. Hyundai opened bookings for the Bayon on October 12, with reservations available for ₹11,000. Deliveries are expected to begin around the festive season.
The company says the Bayon is its first model in India to feature a generative AI voice assistant, combining Perplexity for information retrieval with SoundHound AI for voice technology. Users can ask the assistant questions about travel routes, weather conditions, and nearby dining options. The voice assistant supports more than 500 offline commands in six language options: English, Hindi, Hinglish, Tamil, Bengali, and Telugu. The infotainment interface supports 12 languages, including 10 regional and two international languages.
Inside, the SUV features two 12.3-inch curved displays running Hyundai’s ccNC infotainment system, with NVIDIA technology supporting system performance. Hyundai’s Bluelink connected-car system offers more than 70 functions, including remote start/stop and smartwatch compatibility. Over-the-air updates are supported for up to 19 electronic control units (ECUs), allowing compatible software updates to be installed without visiting a dealership.
The Bayon is built on Hyundai’s Global K Enhanced Platform, which the company says has been developed with a focus on safety. The Bayon is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 115 PS and 144 Nm of torque. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual and an IVT automatic.
The Bayon faces competition in a segment where features, fuel economy, and brand confidence influence buying decisions, with its AI-led cabin and multi-language interface serving as key selling points.
