Hyundai’s India BAYON launches, with its cleverest tech on HX 10

Hyundai’s new India-spec BAYON has arrived with a starting price and a dashboard full of ambitions. Before the twin screens and AI assistant make anyone’s shopping finger twitch, though, there is a useful little detail: the technology changes quite a lot as you climb the trim ladder.

Hyundai Motor India launched the BAYON on October 26 from INR 999,900 ex-showroom. This is the India launch and pricing announcement, following the earlier unveiling. The car uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine, with a six-speed manual or selected iVT automatic versions.

The top trim gets the big technology pitch

The flagship cabin combines NVIDIA-accelerated Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, or ccNC, with two 12.3-inch displays. Its generative AI voice assistant uses Perplexity intelligence and SoundHound AI voice technology for conversational requests.

Hyundai also advertises more than 70 Bluelink functions and over-the-air updates for up to 19 controllers. Three years of Bluelink are included. The interesting question is how these functions fit together in a real ownership routine, rather than how many logos can fit on the brochure.

The official variant guide puts the generative assistant, ccNC navigation screen, digital cluster, Bose audio and full SmartSense Level 2 Pro ADAS suite on HX 10. The entry price therefore should not be read as the price of that full feature bundle. The shiny dashboard has, naturally, found the expensive end of the room.

Useful connectivity starts lower down

HX 3 adds a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. HX 5 introduces Bluelink, OTA updates and a wireless charger, and is where the iVT automatic option begins.

That gives buyers different ways to approach the technology. Someone who mainly wants familiar phone navigation can compare the phone-projection trim with the more connected versions. Someone interested in the built-in assistant needs to price the actual HX 10 configuration.

Our report on Gemini Personal Intelligence in Android Auto explores how phone-based assistants bring their own requirements. Meanwhile, Geely’s future Google built-in plan follows a separate approach to software in the car.

Take a trim list to the test drive

For a practical comparison, ask the dealer to demonstrate the exact car you are considering. Try the screen layout, phone pairing and everyday voice requests while parked. Check what works without a connection and what happens after the included connected-service period ends.

Hyundai’s price guidance also distinguishes ex-showroom from on-road cost: tax, registration and insurance contribute to the latter. Put those alongside your chosen trim, rather than comparing a base advertised price with a fully equipped photograph.

The useful takeaway is that the BAYON offers several levels of connected-car ambition. Make a short list of the functions you will actually use, then find the lowest trim that supplies them. Your budget deserves a navigation system too.

Hero and interior images: Hyundai India. Features and equipment vary by trim. DeviceCritique has not tested the BAYON.