Small SUVs are on the rise, and Hyundai recently added a second model to its lineup with the Bayon. To better situate it, we confronted it with an old backpacker in the segment, the Citroën C3 Aircross.
Cars on test: Citroën C3 Aircross vs Hyundai Bayon
| Citroen C3 Aircross PureTech 110 hp Shine Pack | |
|---|---|
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€26,050 240 € penalty
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| hyundai bayon 1.0 T-GDi 100 hp Creative Hybrid 48V | |
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€24,900 no bonus |
Even if the market at the start of 2022 is disrupted by shortages of semiconductors and soaring fuel prices, small urban SUVs are still popular, particularly in France. Manufacturers are therefore multiplying the offers in this segment, to the point of ignoring the risks of internal competition. This is the case of Opel with the Crossland and the Mokka, of Volkswagen with the T-Cross, T-Roc and Taigo, and now of Hyundai with the Kona and Bayon. The latter does not replace any existing model but takes advantage of the more modern platform of the latest i20.
The very singular style of the Bayon chooses the rupture, even if it does it with less emphasis than the Tucson. To this still poorly identified rolling object we have chosen to oppose one of the sure values of the segment: the Citroën C3 Aircross, launched in 2017, at a time when Stellantis did not even exist in a dream. The vehicle received a substantial restyling last year. Endowed with a more “virile” desired front face, the French has not changed its fundamentals. Its engines remain identical and its equipment too. Is it still capable in its 1.2 110 hp manual gearbox version of resisting a Bayon covered with screens and equipped with 48 V micro-hybridization?
Hyundai Bayon Price
Hyundai no longer offers particularly advantageous prices in its range… except for the Bayon, which is characterized by its price of €24,900 in the Creative version. For an amount €1,150 less than that of its rival, it also offers equipment that the French cannot have: digital instrumentation, 10.25-inch multimedia screen (compared to 9 inches for the C3 Aircross), active braking of emergency with pedestrian recognition or even lane keeping assistant, even if it turns out to be more horrifying than really effective. More modern, the Hyundai goes below the caudine forks of the ecological penalty and as always asserts the 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, one of the most advantageous on the market. In short, there is no picture.
Citroen C3 Aircross price
Not only is the Citroën more expensive, but it did not hesitate to add a layer of it in April 2022 by inflating its price by €450 barely six months after its last increase. Hard to swallow for a model that is coming to the end of its career… But the French can compensate for its technological shortcomings with little extras that it is the only one to offer. These include the Advanced Comfort upholstery, the passenger seat that folds down into a tablet and of course the sliding bench seat. It also claims a slightly more generous catalog of options, which notably includes the head-up display, the heated seats and the hi-fi system unavailable from its competitor. (see equipment table on page 2). However, the C3 Aircross must pay a penalty, which is certainly reasonable.
To drive
In an automotive world often criticized for its uniformity, our two companions play the difference card. The Bayon belongs, in fact, to the category of SUVs very close to classic city cars in terms of its size and driving position. This is also felt in terms of driving sensations. Without being sporty in any way, the Korean offers relatively precise steering and neutral handling which is characterized by a well-controlled roll. The suspension is flexible and rather comfortable, which is not always a quality: on bumpy roads, it admits a tendency to pump, betraying its lack of efficiency. Assisted by an electric motor, the three-cylinder is distinguished by its elasticity and its ability to resume from the lowest revs on a high gear.
Hyundai has taken advantage of its beautiful layout a little too much, dressing it up with a very long six-speed gearbox that is akin to a three + three transmission. The indicator on the dashboard encourages yet to move into fifth or sixth at very low speed, even having to downshift as soon as a little recovery is necessary. You have to play the game if you want to get closer to the bar of 6.5 l/100 km on the road. Otherwise, the Bayon can be greedy. We thus exceeded 10 l/100 km on a mountainous course. Finally, a word on the freewheel system, which disengages the clutch when driving conditions are considered favorable. The least we can say is that it did not convince us, its operation appearing random and difficult to predict for the driver
Devoid of micro-hybridization, the C3 Aircross displays a slightly simpler user manual, but also a much more nervous engine. More powerful by 10 hp, it reveals a more vigorous temperament due to a more pronounced turbo response time. Also associated with a fairly long transmission, this block however requires less downshifting on high gears. Above all, it displays much faster acceleration, with almost 2 seconds better at 0 to 100 km/h! Nevertheless, this is paid for in terms of consumption with a higher appetite of 0.5 to 1 l/100 km on the same routes.
It is true that the Citroën is also much higher perched. This is clearly felt in the driving position, which is that of an SUV. As a result, the direction appears less precise, especially as it plays over-assistance. The body roll is more marked, but the damping seemed to us more effective than that of the Korean on bumpy roads. The C3 Aircross is also the most comfortable, a feeling reinforced by its soft upholstery.
To live
Different at the wheel, our two companions are also different in terms of interior design. The Bayon displays on this subject an absolute classicism, which accepts neither sliding bench seat nor adjustable backrests. Again, its proximity to the i20 sedan is noticeable. On the other hand, the rear legroom seems sufficient for two adults. As for the trunk, it offers a very correct capacity of 411 l despite the battery of the micro-hybridization system which eats up a little space.
The Hyundai also wants to be the champion of technology. It benefits from configurable digital instrumentation and a modern multimedia system, even if the menus are neither very playful nor very ergonomic. As far as storage is concerned, the Bayon does not offer any particular trick, especially since it has, like its rival, a manual handbrake cluttering up part of the central console. On the other hand, its glove box is very roomy. A word finally about the finish, exactly identical to that of the i20, that is to say mediocre. Despite an inspired style, the dashboard uses grey, hard and uninviting plastics.
The C3 Aircross plays a reverse score. It is as clever in terms of modularity as it is technologically outdated. The tricolor SUV does not have digital instrumentation, and its multimedia system is a digital antique. We couldn’t even get Android Auto to work with our recent phone (Google Pixel 5G), while the navigation graphics take you back a few years. It’s all the more unfortunate that you have to go through this screen located too low to adjust the ventilation.
We find a smile when discussing the practical aspects of French. Not only the seat is sliding and the reclining backrests, but the backrest of the passenger seat folds down into a shelf, which allows for maximum loading length. Very handy for moving! What’s more, the C3 benefits from a more polished finish and a more cheerful presentation than those of the Hyundai.
Find the results of the Bayon vs C3 Aircross match, but also the technical sheets, prices, equipment and options compared on the next page.
