2004 Hyundai XG350 Review

Everybody loves a bargain. That's largely why Hyundai's $23,000-plus "XG" sedan has been fairly popular despite the South Korean automaker's old reputation for selling only low-priced, marginal economy cars. And why Hyundai might sell as many as 25,000 of its facelifted 2004 XG sedans.

Many people thought Hyundai was making a mistake when it introduced the front-drive XG for 2001 with a price approaching $25,000. It turned out that no mistake was made, despite sticker prices of $23,499 for the base XG300 sedan and $24,999 for the upscale XG300L version.

The XG300 sedan was a success because it was a decent, equipment-loaded car that had the longest warranty in the industry, including 100,000-mile powertrain coverage.

Many were surprised that it had standard leather upholstery. The general reaction was, "This is a Hyundai?''

The XG300 showed that Hyundai could build a competitive mid-size sedan. It wasn't as refined as a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, but nobody expected it to be. And it cost less than similarly equipped rivals.

The XG300 became the XG350 for 2002 when the size of the car's sophisticated V-6 engine was increased from 3 liters to 3.5 liters and it consequently got more power and torque. The car also was given larger wheels, and the 2003 model received a revised instrument cluster.

Sales of the XG sedan don't begin to approach sales of sedans such as the Camry, Accord or Ford Taurus, but it is sold in reasonable numbers and has become increasingly popular.

South Korean Hyundai offers smaller 2004 Accent, Elantra and Sonata sedans with base prices that range from $9,999 to $19,799. It also sells the under-$20,000 Tiburon coupe and Santa Fe sport-utility vehicle, which tops $20,000 in higher-line form.

The flagship XG350 thus remains the most expensive Hyundai auto. The base version costs $23,999 while the L version is $25,599.

The XG350 retains its 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection -- not to mention a 24-hour roadside assistance program. It also remains very well equipped.

In fact, the car has enough stuff to almost put it in the near-luxury car class, with the leather upholstery and items ranging from automatic climate control to an AM/FM/cassette/CD sound system and all sorts of power accessories.

The L version adds such items as a power tilt-and-slide sunroof and heated front seats. It also has a nifty leather-wrapped steering wheel with woodgrain inserts.

Hyundai probably could have left the XG350 alone for 2004, but this aggressive automaker has given the car revised styling at the front with a new grille, headlights and air dam with projector fog lights. The rear also has a revised look with a new trunk lid, taillights and bumper.

There also are new 12-spoke alloy road wheels for the XG350L, a better standard sound system for the L and rear reading lights for both versions. Inside are new woodgrain trim with a lighter color and new pattern -- and an electrochromic rearview mirror.

The license plate has been moved from the rear bumper to an inset in the trunk lid, thus helping give the XG a taller, more stately appearance.

Safety features are important for a family sedan such as the XG350, so it has improved front brake rotors and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution to help maintain steering control during hard braking. There's also a traction control system and front side air bags. A new center high mounted rear stop light uses a bright LED light instead of the previous bulb-type light.

The 194-horsepower V-6 provides good acceleration off the line and during 65-75 mph passing. It works with a responsive five-speed automatic transmission that has a manual shift feature. But the XG350 only delivers an estimated 17 mpg in the city. The 26 mpg highway figure is much better.

Four tall adults fit in the quiet interior, although there isn't much room to spare back there for 6-footers. Front seats are very supportive, but the center of the rear seat is too hard for comfort on anything but short trips.

Thankfully, Hyundai doesn't sacrifice practicality for style in its dashboard design. Gauges can be read at a glance, and the large climate and audio system controls work smoothly. Front cupholders are nicely placed in the console but are only moderately sized.

There are handy storage pockets in all doors. Even the glove compartment is large. However, the engineer who designed the odd power seat controls should be put to work designing items such as door handles.

The trunk is large and can be easily loaded. Rear seatbacks can be flipped forward to increase cargo area.

This is a rather soft, nice-riding family car that isn't meant to be driven too hard. However, the car generally feels solid and the steering is nicely geared. Stopping distances are short, although the brake pedal is a bit touchy.

Most XG350 buyers probably won't notice, but there's a double-wishbone front suspension instead of a cheaper strut arrangement and a multilink rear suspension. The result is a ride that is cushy but mostly composed. However, some folks might notice that the trunk lid has hinges that impede on the cargo area, despite the addition of gas struts that are attached to them for smoother lid operation.

The hood raises on smooth twin struts to reveal easily reached fluid filler areas at the front of the engine compartment -- an arrangement that can prevent clothes from being soiled when adding fluids.

Continual improvement makes the XG350 a good buy, although resale value is a question mark and Hyundai can't match the dealer networks of most competitors.

2004 HYUNDAI XG350

Prices
$23,999-$25,599

Likes
Revised styling. Good acceleration. Comfortable. Very well equipped.

Dislikes
Low city fuel economy. Touchy brake pedal. Questionable resale value.