Hyundai has finally launched the highly-anticipated Bayon SUV at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Positioned between the Venue and Creta in the brand’s current product lineup, the Bayon is currently available only with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. However, Hyundai has confirmed that it will introduce a factory-fitted CNG option in January 2027.
With this, it will be the brand’s first mid-size SUV to get a CNG option. As of now, CNG is restricted to the brand’s compact offerings, such as Grand i10 Nios, Aura and Exter.
Hyundai Bayon CNG – What To Expect?
While Hyundai hasn’t revealed the details yet, we expect the Bayon CNG to get either a dual-cylinder setup like the Exter, or an underbody single CNG tank. Both setups could help free up some space inside the boot for your luggage, making it a practical option for buyers seeking high fuel efficiency without too much compromise on practicality.
What’s more interesting is to see whether Hyundai offers the CNG with automatic transmission, a combination that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Maruti Suzuki, for instance, has recently introduced the AMT automatic transmission option with the CNG iterations of the Swift, Dzire and Baleno. An automatic gearbox option with the Bayon CNG will make it a more convenient option for buyers who frequently drive in city traffic.
However, it is worth noting that the petrol-powered Bayon gets a CVT automatic transmission option, which is generally more expensive than an AMT. This could make it challenging for Hyundai to offer a CNG automatic variant at a competitive price. If introduced, its pricing and transmission combination will play an important role in determining how appealing it is to buyers looking for a premium, fuel-efficient automatic SUV.
Expect the CNG powertrain option to be limited to select variants of the SUV. And if it performs well in the market, the brand might consider offering it in more variants.
Related: Hyundai Bayon All Variants Explained: Which One Makes The Most Sense?
Expected Price and Rivals
We believe the Hyundai Bayon CNG to command a premium of around Rs 85,000 over their petrol counterparts. For reference, the Hyundai Bayon is priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 18 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will serve as a direct rival to the Maruti Suzuki Victoris CNG, Grand Vitara CNG and Toyota Hyryder CNG.
