Segment: Compact
Production years: 1998, 1999, 2000
Hyundai introduced the last generation of the Excel on the market in 1998 in three body shapes, hatchback with three and five doors and a four-door sedan.
The Korean carmaker went through some tough times and desperately tried to increase its sales. It even changed its car nameplates depending on the market, and that's why the Excel was sold as Accent or Pony in different countries.
While it didn't excel in the design department, the 1998 Excel Sedan was a good example of the biodesign era. Its oval, slim headlights, and the slot that acted as a grille were the first signs of a carmaker that didn't really know how to put body parts on a car and look good. For the four-door version, Hyundai's designers completely redesigned the back of the car, and they integrated the trunk well in the sedan shape.
Inside, there was a big improvement in material quality over its predecessor. The cloth seats with velour and plastic door panels were better fitted and didn't rattle all the time. There was just a shy try to enhance the cabin by using light-gray colors and pastel color pattern on the seats. In the back, there was room for three shorter passengers, especially kids.
Like its hatchback siblings, the sedan featured two engine choices carried over from Mitsubishi: a 1.3-liter and a 1.5-liter.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3i | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1341 cm3 |
Power: | 62 KW @ 5700 RPM 84 HP @ 5700 RPM 83 BHP @ 5700 RPM |
Torque: | 87 lb-ft @ 3100 RPM 118 Nm @ 3100 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 108.1 mph (174 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 12.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | Manual, 5 Speed |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/80TR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 162.2 in (4120 mm) |
Width: | 63.8 in (1621 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/55.5 in (1,420/1,410 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2041.5 lbs (926 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3262.8 lbs (1480 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 25.6 mpg US (9.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 37.3 mpg US (6.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 31.8 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 177 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.5i | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1495 cm3 |
Power: | 65 KW @ 5600 RPM 88 HP @ 5600 RPM 87 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 96 lb-ft @ 3050 RPM 130 Nm @ 3050 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 109.4 mph (176 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | Manual, 5 Speed |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 175/70TR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 162.2 in (4120 mm) |
Width: | 63.8 in (1621 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.9/55.5 in (1,420/1,410 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 12.2 cuFT (345 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2048.1 lbs (929 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3262.8 lbs (1480 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.8 mpg US (11.3 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 33.6 mpg US (7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 203 g/km |