Hyundai has set a 2.5 lakh unit target for its Creta and the newly launched Bayon in 2027, a clear signal that the South Korean automaker is ready to double down on the mid‑size SUV niche.
The monocoque market, where the body and chassis are a single unit, has been a hotbed of competition. Maruti Suzuki’s Victoris and Grand Vitara together racked up 173,022 units in the first nine months of 2026, while Kia’s Seltos and Toyota’s Hyryder trailed at 99,655 and 78,140, respectively. Creta remains the lone best‑seller at 143,424 units, but Hyundai’s plan to add Bayon shows it wants to spread risk across two names.
Bayon isn’t just a name; it packs a 1.5‑litre petrol engine that delivers 115 PS and a torque of 140 Nm, with a CNG option slated for January 2027. The car also comes with a generative‑AI voice assistant built on Perplexity and SoundHound tech, placing it squarely between the Venue and the next‑gen Creta.
Production will shift to Chennai, freeing up the Pune plant that once churned out the Venue. That move should keep costs in check and aid export ambitions, a factor buyers will notice when comparing price points.
The launch is slated for early 2027, with city‑wise rollout expected to start in metros before reaching tier‑2 and tier‑3 markets. Keep an eye on how the 115‑PS engine performs in real‑world drives and whether the AI assistant lives up to its hype.