The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Car Review: 2004 Hyundai XG350


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

By Andrew Frankl, European Bureau Chief

I had a very pleasant surprise the other day - the Hyundai XG350.

After Jaguars and BMWs you might think that I am a hypocrite but let us look at value for money. The Jag I drove last month had a sticker in excess of 60 big ones whereas the similarly sized Hyundai is yours for a mere 25 or so thousand dollars. It has a torquey 3.5 liter V6 engine and while it certainly does not sound or pull like a BMW or a Jaguar it was no embarrassment on the highway.

The XG350 is huge and very, very comfortable indeed. Yes, it does wallow over undulations and the steering is a far cry from say Nissan but if your idea of transportation is essentially to go from A to B and not how the car handles on the limit then there is nothing wrong with the Hyundai at all.

I am sure pushed hard over twisty roads it could make passengers pretty sea-sick but honestly, how many XG350 buyers will want to do that? The trunk is massive, the seats are comfortable, the stereo system is fine and if I had to drive it from Darien, Connecticut to Redondo Beach California in a re-enactment of the 1979 Cannonball Run, A…I could do it and B…with a good co-driver do it in two and a half days. That is how long it took us in 1979 and I am pretty sure the XG350 would be up for the job. Fuel consumption worked out at over 20 miles per gallon of regular, another plus in the car’s favor.

Model lineup: XG350 ($23,999); XG350 L ($25,999)
Engines: 194-hp 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6
Transmissions: 5-speed automatic with Shiftronic
Safety equipment (standard): ABS, EBD, electronic traction control, dual frontal and front seat side airbags, three-point seatbelts at all five seating positions, front seatbelt pretensioners
Safety equipment (optional): none
Basic warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
Assembled in: Asan, South Korea
Specifications As Tested
Model tested (MSRP): XG350 ($23,999)
Standard equipment: power-assisted, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD; engine speed-sensitive variable-assist power steering; tachometer; 5-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission; cruise control; traction control; 5-mph, body color bumpers, foglamps; P205/60HR 16 all-season, steel-belted Michelin radial tires; automatic air conditioning; 6-speaker, AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo; power door locks, windows and outside mirrors; digital clock; leather seating surfaces; power front seats with heat and memory; remote keyless entry with alarm; 60/40 split folding rear seatback with folding center armrest;power tilt-and-slide moonroof; electrochromic inside rearview mirror with Homelink Integrated Transceiver
Options as tested (MSRP): none
Destination charge: ($590)
Gas guzzler tax: N/A
Price as tested (MSRP): $24,589
Layout: front-wheel drive
Engine: 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 194 @ 5500
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 216 @ 3500
Transmission: 5-speed, Shiftronic automatic
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: 17/26 mpg
Wheelbase: 108.3 in.
Length/width/height: 191.9/71.9/55.9
Track, f/r: 60.6/60.2 in.
Turning circle: 36.1 ft.
Seating capacity: 5
Head/hip/leg room, f: 39.7/54.8/43.3 in.
Head/hip/leg room, m: N/A
Head/hip/leg room, r: 38.0/55.4/37.2 in.
Max Trunk volume: 14.5 cu. ft.
Payload: N/A
Towing capacity: 1,000 (2,000 with trailer brakes)Lbs.
Suspension, f: independent, coil spring, anti-roll bar and
gas-pressurized shocks
Suspension, r: independent, coil spring, anti-roll bar,
gas-pressurized shocks with multi-link,
dynamic toe-in
Ground clearance: 6.3
Curb weight: 3651 lbs.
Tires: P205/65HR16 Michelin
Brakes, f/r: vented disc/disc with ABS and EBD
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.