The Hyundai Bayon filled a gap in the market for Hyundai but it’s not up there with the best cars in the small SUV class. On the plus side you’ve got a decent ride, spacious interior and a reasonable price tag. However, it’s not been bestowed with a huge amount of character, nor does the interior or overall drive stand-out. It’s a very long way from being a bad car, but when rivals – such as the Renault Captur and Skoda Kamiq – are so strong it’s difficult to recommend as first choice.

What we like

The Bayon is comfortable and spacious. This facelifted car’s lack of a mild hybrid system means you now get 411 litres of boot space, which is nearing the top of the class. We also expect it to be a reliable car, as it’s based on the same mechanicals as the i20 supermini. It’s been screwed together very well, too.

What we don’t like

The interior is rather dour, it’s forgettable to drive and it isn’t that clever. The Renault Captur has a far more flexible seating layout and the option of a hybrid powertrain, neither of which the Bayon can compete with. We also hate the Bayon’s heavily damped clutch pedal, and we miss its old mild hybrid powertrain. Still, at least it’s affordable.