Guaranteed for five years
After debuting in 2021 (who the test of the 1.0 lightweight hybrid turbo) now the Hyundai Bayon there is also a Gpl. The gas supply goes well with an “all substance” model, like this crossover with personal lines: only 418 cm long but spacious, it was born on a modern platform (the same as the i20 subcompact, arrived in 2020), it is proposed at attractive prices and is guaranteed for a full five years, with no mileage limits. Among other things, the new 1.2 a Gpl it is the only Bayon that can be driven by novice drivers (due to the lower power / weight ratio).
The engine does not suffer from gas
The gas system is not installed during the production of the Hyundai Bayon, but it is assembled in Italy by the well-known BRC specialist, who worked together with Hyundai for the tuning and reliability checks. The use of the Gpl instead of petrol, in fact, it stresses the engine valves and their seats more, which in the long run could wear out to the point of requiring an expensive overhaul of the head. In the case of the Bayon, some transformed specimens have each been tested for several tens of thousands of kilometers. Then, the engines were disassembled and measured in critical areas and the data passed to the technicians at the factory where the 1.2 is produced. From there, the green light was given: the wear of the valve seats was negligible, and therefore the engine has hundreds of thousands of kilometers of useful life, even when running on LPG. And in fact, the house offers the maxi-guarantee.
Maximum economy with xtech
At the same endowment, the Hyundai Bayon and Gpl it costs 2,000 euros more than the 1.2 petrol engine from which it derives. Not a few: there are models in which the surcharge for the gas system does not reach 1,000 euros. The break-even point is therefore not very close: taking into account on the one hand the higher consumption going on gas (14.5 km / l declared instead of 18.2) and on the other hand the large savings in the fuel price – a liter of LPG costs between 80 and 90 cents, when you get to two euros with petrol – it takes between 40 and 50,000 km to recover the 2,000 euros paid out at the beginning. This, also taking into account the slightly more expensive maintenance (a few tens of euros at each service, due to the gas filters and the control of the system). From then on, savings start at a rate of around € 1,000 per 25,000 km. All these calculations are made with the same set-up: the XLine. But the only Bayon LPG is also available in the cheaper XTech set-up, at a price list of 20,100 euros: really convenient in relation to the contents of the car. In this case, the supplement compared to the petrol XLine is only 250 euros, which can be recovered in a few thousand kilometers.
Less rich, but not poor
Compared to the XLine, the Hyundai Bayon XTech has 15 “steel wheels instead of 16” alloy wheels and does without, among other things, the digital dashboard and the multimedia system with an 8 “display, the front and rear parking sensors and the rear view camera. But it cannot be defined as “poor”: the XTech also offers as standard the alarm, automatic braking (even against pedestrians and cyclists), the system that avoids involuntary lane exits, four electric window lifters, the “climate ”Manual and cruise control.
Well designed, but with the indicator hidden
The car we drove was a pre-series; the photos you see are of the richest set-up of the Hyundai Bayon, the XClass, which in the end it was decided not to propose for the 1.2 LPG. That’s why, for example, there is the 10.3-inch central screen with the navigator and the metal pedals in sight. But otherwise, the interior is like that of the XLine. And therefore it has a modern style, with the “climate” vents integrated in a series of horizontal reliefs and the central display placed at the top, very clearly visible. In the right place the various buttons, including those of the single-zone “climate” (easy to use) and numerous storage compartments. The plastics are all rigid, even if the processing and assembly are accurate. Two small defects are instead linked toLPG system. The digital dashboard, clearly legible, does not show the consumption when traveling on gas and the fuel level indicator in the cylinder (which incorporates a button to change fuel) is placed at the bottom, left of the steering wheel, in a hidden position while driving .
No problem luggage
The cockpit of the Hyundai Bayon it is comfortable for four and does not require great sacrifices even for five adults of average build. The trunk is also good, with 393 liters if you load it up to the parcel shelf. Compared to the 1.2 petrol engine, only three centimeters in height are lost, due to the “donut” cylinder placed in the compartment designed for the spare wheel. There are two useful devices: the platform can be positioned on two levels and can be removed (to make loads easier or to maximize space) and the parcel shelf that can be positioned immediately behind the sofa, parallel to the backrest, to exploit all the height up to the ceiling in case of necessity.
It has a nice change
Considering the 47 liters of the cylinder and the fact that by law (for safety reasons) it can be filled up to 80%, theautonomy with official consumption data it is 545 km. In this first test we could not verify it, as we intend to do in a future test, but the data is certainly good. The behavior on the road is also valid: the steering is precise and direct, the roll under control even when cornering in a hurry and the braking is well modulated. And the engine of the Hyundai Bayon? At low revs it is not energetic, as it is easy to guess considering the maximum engine torque of only 109 Nm, moreover obtained at 4200 rpm. But it has a surprising fluidity of operation, especially taking into account that it runs on gas: never hesitation when accelerating, and, should it be useful, it can exceed 6500 rpm without exaggerating the noise. In short, when driving quietly, and if you have a little patience uphill, it is pleasant. As well as the gearbox, with very fluid and precise clutches (only the knob is a little too low) and with rather long gears in relation to the type of engine (at 130 km / h the four-cylinder is at 4000 rpm).
A significant drop
As we said at the beginning, the prices are affordable. Also because the Hyundai Bayon and Gpl it falls within the range of state incentives which provides, for the scrapping of an old car with approval up to Euro 4, a discount of 2,000 euros (but be careful: the eco-incentives are almost finished). The house offer is added to the state bonus, valid until 30 June 2022: thus, for the XTech, a price of 15,850 euros is reached (or 15,450 with the loan, proposed with a decidedly favorable 4.64% taeg) .
In our opinion
ADVANTAGES
> Equipment / price. While the gas system is not cheap, this crossover offers a lot for the price.
> Driving fluidity. Engine, gearbox, suspension: all contribute to an easy and relaxing drive.
> Space. The passenger compartment and trunk are large in relation to the external dimensions.
DEFECTS
> Gas level indicator. It is located in a position hidden from the driver.
> Plastics. They are well worked, but a few soft inserts would increase the feeling of quality of the interior.
> Recovery. The 1.2 is fluid, but pushes little at low revs.
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