Hyundai Excel

| image = 1989 Hyundai Excel GL 3-dr, front left.jpg

| image = 1989 Hyundai Excel GL 3-dr, front left.jpg

| caption = 1989 Hyundai Excel GL 3-door (USA)

| caption = 1989 Hyundai Excel GL 3-door (USA)

| production = February 1985 – April 1989 (until January 1990 for taxi models)<ref>{{cite news |title=포니, 프레스토 택시등 구모델 단종...올해말/내년초 생산중지 |trans-title=Old models such as Pony and Presto taxis discontinued... Production to stop at the end of this year/early next year |url=https://www.hankyung.com/article/1989120500301 |publisher=Hankyung.com |location=South Korea |date=17 August 2023 |access-date=2 July 2025}}</ref>

| production = 1985–1989

| assembly = South Korea: [[Ulsan]]

| assembly = South Korea: [[Ulsan]]

| designer = [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at [[Italdesign]]

| designer = [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at [[Italdesign]]

The Excel was introduced as a replacement for the [[Hyundai Pony]]. In the United States, it was the company's first and only model (the previous Pony could not be sold in that country as it did not meet federal emissions standards), but thanks to a price of $4,995 [[United States dollar|USD]] and being voted'' 'Best Product #10' ''by [[Fortune magazine]], it set records for a first-year import by selling 168,882 units, helping push the company's cumulative production past one million by 1986.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3165/is_n4_v32/ai_18242151 "Ssay it with SSUVs: Korea's SSangyong goes where the buyers are – sport/utility vehicles"], Gwendolyn S. Knapp, Ward's Auto World, April 1996 (FindArticles.com)</ref> In Australia, it was priced at [[Australian dollar|A$]]9,990. While it did not enjoy sales success initially, in part due to the 87% import duty it attracted, it did become the top selling imported small car in 1988.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261874044?searchTerm=Hyundai%20Excel | title = Hyundai plays its Sonata | date = 1989-03-10 | page = 8 | newspaper = The Australian Jewish News | editor-first = Peter | editor-last = Kohn }}</ref>

The Excel was introduced as a replacement for the [[Hyundai Pony]]. In the United States, it was the company's first and only model (the previous Pony could not be sold in that country as it did not meet federal emissions standards), but thanks to a price of $4,995 [[United States dollar|USD]] and being voted'' 'Best Product #10' ''by [[Fortune magazine]], it set records for a first-year import by selling 168,882 units, helping push the company's cumulative production past one million by 1986.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3165/is_n4_v32/ai_18242151 "Ssay it with SSUVs: Korea's SSangyong goes where the buyers are – sport/utility vehicles"], Gwendolyn S. Knapp, Ward's Auto World, April 1996 (FindArticles.com)</ref> In Australia, it was priced at [[Australian dollar|A$]]9,990. While it did not enjoy sales success initially, in part due to the 87% import duty it attracted, it did become the top selling imported small car in 1988.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/261874044?searchTerm=Hyundai%20Excel | title = Hyundai plays its Sonata | date = 1989-03-10 | page = 8 | newspaper = The Australian Jewish News | editor-first = Peter | editor-last = Kohn }}</ref>

In Europe, the car continued the '''Pony''' nameplate. It was much more modern than its predecessor with new engines, front-wheel drive and an all-new design. Available engines were 1.3-litre (1298&nbsp;cc) and 1.5-litre (1468&nbsp;cc) inline-four engines, producing 66 HP (49 kW) and 71 HP (53 kW) respectively. On the South Korean home market, the hatchbacks were marketed as "Pony Excel" and the sedan was called Hyundai Presto. The 1985 Pony was only sold as five-door hatchback in Europe. Unlike the first Pony Sedan, the Pony/Excel X1 Sedan had the boot separated from the passenger compartment.

In Europe, the car continued the '''Pony''' nameplate. It was much more modern than its predecessor with new engines, front-wheel drive and an all-new design. Available engines were 1.3-litre (1298&nbsp;cc) and 1.5-litre (1468&nbsp;cc) inline-four engines, producing 66 HP (49 kW) and 71 HP (53 kW) respectively. On the South Korean home market, the hatchbacks were marketed as "Pony Excel" and the sedan was called Hyundai Presto. The 1985 Pony was only sold as five-door hatchback in Europe. Unlike the first Pony Sedan, the Pony/Excel X1 Sedan had the boot separated from the passenger compartment.<ref>{{cite web| date=2019-03-02 |title=현대자동차 - 프레스토 카탈로그 (-) |trans-title=Hyundai Motor Company - Presto catalog |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=221478276712&categoryNo=53&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref>

<gallery widths="200" heights="120">

<gallery widths="200" heights="120">

=== 1987 facelift ===

=== 1987 facelift ===

With the 1987 facelift, the Pony name got the '''XP''' suffix in Europe which was also found on the car itself. More important, this series saw the return of both the three-door hatchback and the four-door sedan in Europe. The 1.3-liter engine was discontinued, the 1.5-liter remained unchanged. In Europe, the LE was added as fourth trim level, this being the new entry level followed by the familiar L, GL and GLS models. All trim levels could be combined with all three body styles. An automatic gearbox was again available only on the GLS model.

With the 1987 facelift, the Pony name got the '''XP''' suffix in Europe which was also found on the car itself. More important, this series saw the return of both the three-door hatchback and the four-door sedan in Europe. The 1.3-liter engine was discontinued, the 1.5-liter remained unchanged. In Europe, the LE was added as fourth trim level, this being the new entry level followed by the familiar L, GL and GLS models. All trim levels could be combined with all three body styles. An automatic gearbox was again available only on the GLS model.<ref>{{cite web| date=2019-03-01 |title=현대자동차 - 88년형 엑셀/프레스토 카탈로그 (-) |trans-title=Hyundai Motor Company - 1988 Excel/Presto catalog |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=221477629499&categoryNo=53&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref>

==== Lineup ====

==== Lineup ====

| aka = Hyundai X2 (UK)<ref name=X2/>

| aka = Hyundai X2 (UK)<ref name=X2/>

| image = 1990 Hyundai Excel (X2) GS 3-door hatchback.jpg

| image = 1990 Hyundai Excel (X2) GS 3-door hatchback.jpg

| production = 1989–1995<br />1995–1998 (Philippines)

| production = April 1989 – July 1994<br />1995–1998 (Philippines)

| assembly = South Korea: [[Ulsan]]<br />Philippines: [[Makati]] ([[:de:Francisco Motors Corporation|Francisco Motors Corporation]])

| assembly = South Korea: [[Ulsan]]<br />Philippines: [[Makati]] ([[:de:Francisco Motors Corporation|Francisco Motors Corporation]])

| designer =

| designer =

Brought as a new generation, the 1989 Excel was more like a next facelift. A new version of the 1.5-litre engine was introduced, with electronic fuel-injection instead of a carburetor. This '''1.5 MPI''' produced 85 HP (62 kW).

Brought as a new generation, the 1989 Excel was more like a next facelift. A new version of the 1.5-litre engine was introduced, with electronic fuel-injection instead of a carburetor. This '''1.5 MPI''' produced 85 HP (62 kW).

Most remarkable, the 1989 look was very short lived: with the 1990 model year yet another facelift appeared. Another notable fact was the renaming of the four-door Pony Sedan to '''Excel''' in Europe. This transition went gradually, for example in the Dutch 1989 brochure photos of a Pony badged sedan are shown while the text refers to Excel. The 1990 brochure shows an actual Excel.

Most remarkable, the 1989 look was very short lived: with the 1990 model year yet another facelift appeared. Another notable fact was the renaming of the four-door Pony Sedan to '''Excel''' in Europe. This transition went gradually, for example in the Dutch 1989 brochure photos of a Pony badged sedan are shown while the text refers to Excel. The 1990 brochure shows an actual Excel.<ref>{{cite web| date=2022-01-09 |title=현대자동차 - 엑셀 카탈로그 (-) |trans-title=Hyundai Motor Company - Excel catalog |url=https://blog.naver.com/ldriver/222616669471 |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref>

The 1.5 MPI engine was not offered in the five-door Pony. On the other hand, both the Pony three-door hatchback as well as the Excel four-door sedan came in a vast amount of models.

The 1.5 MPI engine was not offered in the five-door Pony. On the other hand, both the Pony three-door hatchback as well as the Excel four-door sedan came in a vast amount of models.

=== 1991 facelift ===

=== 1991 facelift ===

The Excel's 1989 styling was closely related to the all-new [[Hyundai Sonata|Sonata]], which was launched in Europe for the 1989 model year. The mid-sized Sonata underwent a near-immediate facelift for the 1990 model year. The styling of the Excel followed in late 1991 to keep the resemblance with the Sonata. Most noticeable was the front end, where all three cars' orange indicator lenses were replaced by clear ones and the headlamps became less rectangular.

The Excel's 1989 styling was closely related to the all-new [[Hyundai Sonata|Sonata]], which was launched in Europe for the 1989 model year. The mid-sized Sonata underwent a near-immediate facelift for the 1990 model year. The styling of the Excel followed in late 1991 to keep the resemblance with the Sonata. Most noticeable was the front end, where all three cars' orange indicator lenses were replaced by clear ones and the headlamps became less rectangular.<ref>{{cite web| date=2012-02-27 |title=현대 92년형 엑셀 탄생!_ 카탈로그 (리플렛) |trans-title=The birth of the Hyundai 92 New Excel!_ catalog (leaflet) |url=https://blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=ldriver&logNo=221477629499&categoryNo=53&parentCategoryNo=&from=thumbnailList |website=blog.naver.com |publisher=Naver Blog |location=South Korea }}</ref>

From 1991, the 1.5 versions were badged 1.5i to denote [[fuel injection]].

From 1991, the 1.5 versions were badged 1.5i to denote [[fuel injection]].