Bringing home the Bayon

Hyundai’s smallest SUV yet has the necessary tools to succeed, but first it has to prove itself against tough rivals from Citroën and Ford

NEW

Citroën C3 Aircross

Puretech 110 Shine Plus

List price £21,500 Target Price £18,839

Even in range-topping form, Citroën’s recently refreshed small SUV costs less to buy than its rivals here. Can it compete in other areas too?

NEW

Hyundai Bayon 1.0 T-GDi Mild Hybrid 120 Premium

List price £23,245 Target Price £22,179 Based on the i20 small hatchback, the Bayon is an all-new contender in this class and comes with mild-hybrid power. We’re testing the most powerful model in mid-range trim

Ford Puma 1.0

Ecoboost Hybrid 155 ST-Line

List price £23,745 Target Price £22,277 Our current favourite small SUV is going to be difficult to beat; it’s fun to drive and packs the biggest punch of this trio

IT’S FUNNY HOW minor things have a big impact on desirability. Let’s face it: small SUVs are really just small hatchbacks with jacked-up suspension and a few trinkets loosely inspired by what you’d find on a proper 4x4. And yet somehow they’re in a completely different fashion league than their more conventional-looking compatriots.

The Ford Puma – our 2020 Car of the Year – is a case in point. It has sold like hot cakes since its launch, even throughout a certain worldwide pandemic; Ford can’t build enough of them. But could the Puma’s reign at the top of the class be in jeopardy?