HYUNDAI is starting an SUV offensive by launching a new compact model called the Bayon and announcing prices for its Santa Fe flagship.

The Bayon - which is due for release in the summer - is smaller than the Kona in the current Hyundai line up and will be priced from around £19,000 while at the other end of the spectrum the new Santa Fe will cost from £40,250.

Both models feature Hyundai's new styling including distinctive grilles and headlights and while the Bayon may be of supermini proportions it has a huge boot ranging from 411 to 1,205 litres.

It will be powered by a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with choices of either 100 or 120ps with a mild-hybrid set up available as an option on both the six-speed manual and seven-speed DCT transmissions.

The Bayon will also be the first Hyundai SUV to feature Rev Matching which the Korean car maker has previously made available only on its high-performance models.

It's a system which smooths out gear changes for sportier driving and will be available on the mild-hybrid Bayon.

With a full set of driver aids including lane keeping, lane following and forward collision avoidance all available it makes the Bayon a small car with big car features.

Other equipment includes a display screen of either 10.25 or eight inches width depending on trim, full smartphone compatibility and Hyundai's latest Bluelink connectivity system which now includes a calendar function as well as enabling users to check features of the car such as fuel levels remotely.

In Hyundai's SUV line up the Bayon is joining the Kona, Tucson and the new Santa Fe which now comes with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains mated to a 1.6-litre petrol engine.

It's a seven seater and the power set up develops either 230ps in the hybrid version and 265ps in the plug-in which has emissions of 37g/km.

There's also the choice of two or four-wheel drive with the two-trim range topping out at £49,010.00 for a plug-in model in Ultimate trim.

Top speed is 116mph for all versions with an acceleration time of 8.8 seconds 0 to 60 and best fuel consumption of 44.1mpg from the hybrid and a theoretical 173.7 for the plug-in which has a zero emission range of up to 36 miles.