View source for Hyundai Excel

{{short description|Car model}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Hyundai Excel
| image = 1989 Hyundai Excel GL Front Left.jpg
| caption = First generation
| manufacturer = [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]]
| aka = Hyundai Pony<br />Hyundai Pony Excel (X1 hatchback in South Korea)<br />Hyundai Presto (X1 sedan in South Korea)<br />Mitsubishi Precis (United States)<br />Hyundai X2 (United Kingdom)<ref name=X2>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170213084711/http://www.ebay.ie/itm/HYUNDAI-RANGE-1992-93-UK-Mkt-sales-brochure-HCD-1-Scoupe-Lantra-X2-Sonata-/231549179784?hash=item35e9681788%3Ag%3AgyQAAOSwPhdVQ49B HYUNDAI RANGE 1992-93 UK Mkt sales brochure - HCD-1 Scoupe Lantra X2 Sonata, www.ebay.ie, as archived at web.archive.org]</ref> <br> Hyundai XL (Japan)
| production = 1985–1999
| class = [[Subcompact car]] ([[B-segment|B]])
| layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|FF layout]]
| related = [[Hyundai Scoupe]]<br />[[Mitsubishi Mirage#C10|Mitsubishi Mirage]]
| predecessor = [[Hyundai Pony]]
| successor = [[Hyundai Accent]]
}}

The '''Hyundai Excel''' ({{Langx|ko|현대 엑셀}}), also known as the '''Hyundai Pony''', '''Hyundai Pony Excel''', '''Hyundai Presto''', '''Mitsubishi Precis''', '''Hyundai X2''' and '''Hyundai XL''', is an automobile which was produced by [[Hyundai Motor Company]] from 1985 to 1999. It was the first [[front-wheel drive]] car produced by the South Korean manufacturer. The Excel range replaced the rear-wheel-drive [[Hyundai Pony]].

==Background==
The Excel was based on the second generation of the [[Mitsubishi Mirage]],<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15140735/hyundai-excel-gl-archived-road-test | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200609225617/https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15140735/hyundai-excel-gl-archived-road-test/ | archive-date = 2020-06-09 | title=Hyundai Excel GL | first = Patrick | last = Bedard | magazine = [[Car and Driver]] | publisher = Hearst Autos, Inc. | date=1 March 1986}}</ref> but it received its own sheet metal design by [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]]. The Excel was available in three- or five-door [[hatchback]] and four-door [[sedan (automobile)|sedan]] models.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-car-directory.com/car/Hyundai_Excel |title=Hyundai Excel The Car Directory |publisher=The-car-directory.com |date=27 December 2007 |access-date=21 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716215155/http://www.the-car-directory.com/car/Hyundai_Excel |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}</ref> The Excel was the first Hyundai car to be exported to the United States.

The Excel was available with either a [[Manual transmission|manual]] or [[automatic transmission]] mated to a [[Straight-four engine|four-cylinder]] engine aspirated by a carburetor or fuel injection system, depending on market and model year.

Originally, the Excel was supposed to be replaced by the [[Hyundai Elantra|Elantra]] in 1990, but it ended up being sold for four more years until being replaced by the [[Hyundai Accent]] in the model year 1995. From 1990, there was a [[coupé]] variant called the [[Hyundai Scoupe]], which was replaced by the [[Hyundai Coupé]] in 1996.

==Names==
Some markets, including Europe, had the Excel branded as the '''Hyundai Pony''', although it is not directly related to its [[rear wheel drive]] predecessor of the [[Hyundai Pony|same name]]. In South Korea the [[hatchback]] version was known as '''Hyundai Pony Excel''', and the sedan version was known as '''Hyundai Presto'''.

===Mitsubishi Precis===
[[File:1989 Mitsubishi Precis RS in Silver, front left.jpg|thumb|1989 Mitsubishi Precis RS]]
The Excel was also sold in the United States by [[Mitsubishi Motors]] from the spring of 1987 as the [[Rebadging|badge engineered]] '''Mitsubishi Precis'''.<ref name=Wards87>{{cite book | ref = WYB87 | title=Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1987 |publisher=Ward's Communications, Inc | location = Detroit, MI |editor-last = Stark | editor-first = Harry A. | volume = 49 | date = 1987 | page = 182 | isbn = ((0910589007)) }}</ref> Mitsubishi chose to sell the Precis to circumvent the [[Voluntary export restraint#1981VER|voluntary import quota]] which applied to the Japanese-made [[Mitsubishi Mirage|Mirage]].<ref name=CApr>{{cite web |url=http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2346/ |title= 1990-94 Mitsubishi Precis Prices & Review |publisher=Auto.consumerguide.com |date=4 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018174352/http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2346/ |archive-date=18 October 2006 }}</ref> Available as either a 3-door (Base/LS) or 5-door (LS) hatchback, the Precis received the same {{cvt|68|hp|kW|0}} 1.5-liter Mitsubishi four as did the Excel, the [[Mitsubishi Mirage#C10|Mirage]], and most of the [[Dodge Colt#Fifth|Dodge/Plymouth-badged Colts]].<ref name=Wards87B>''[[#WYB87|Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1987]]'', p. 182</ref> The car received "Precis" badging on the bootlid, grille, hubcaps, and steering wheel, with the only Mitsubishi logo being a small sticker at the rear which read "Imported by Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Inc." For 1988, the more sporting RS model was added to the lineup, marking the introduction of a five-speed manual transmission which was also fitted to the LS.<ref>{{citation | date = 1987 | title = 1988 Precis: Imported by Mitsubishi | type = brochure | publisher = Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Inc. | page = 13 }}</ref>

After Mirage production in [[Normal, Illinois]] commenced in 1989, thus circumventing the import quota restrictions, the facelifted 1990 Precis (equivalent to the Excel X2) did remain on offer in a limited lineup as a "price leader," slotted below the Mirage. Now only available as a three-door hatchback (no Precis sedan was ever offered) it came in either Base or RS equipment levels.<ref name=CApr/> For 1991 the RS was discontinued (and with it the five-speed manual), although an RS trim package was still available this year. A new grille appeared in 1993 and the Precis was discontinued in 1994.<ref name=CApr/>
{{clear}}

== {{anchor|X1}} First generation (X1; 1985–1989) ==
{{Infobox automobile
| name = First generation (X1)
| image = 1989 Hyundai Excel GL 3-dr, front left.jpg
| caption = 1989 Hyundai Excel GL 3-door (USA)
| production = 1985–1989
| assembly = South Korea: [[Ulsan]]
| designer = [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at [[Italdesign]]
| body_style = 3-door [[hatchback]]<br />5-door [[hatchback]]<br />4-door [[sedan (automobile)|sedan]]
| engine = {{ubl | 1.3&nbsp;L ''[[Mitsubishi Orion engine#4G13|4G13]]'' [[Straight-four engine|I4]] | 1.5&nbsp;L ''[[Mitsubishi Orion engine#4G15|4G15]]'' I4 }}
| transmission = 4-speed [[manual transmission|manual]]<br />5-speed [[manual transmission|manual]]<br />3-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|93.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|160.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (2-door)<br />{{convert|168|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (4-door)
| width = {{convert|63.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|54.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = 
}}
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.

<gallery widths="200" heights="120">
File:1986 Hyundai Pony in the UK in 1986 - 02.jpg|1985–87 Hyundai Pony 5-door (UK)
File:Hyundai Excel (US) (8038131673).jpg|1989 Hyundai Excel 4-door sedan (USA)
</gallery>
Versions available were:

'''North America'''
* 1.5 base
* 1.5 GL
* 1.5 GLS (5-door and 4-door only)
* 1.5 GS (3-door only)

'''Australia'''
* 1.5 L
* 1.5 GL
* 1.5 GLS
* 1.5 GT

'''United Kingdom'''
* 1300 L/Sonnet
* 1300 GLS
* 1500 GL
* 1500 GLS

On most '''European markets''', the Pony X1 was available in six configurations:
*1.3 L, 4-speed manual
*1.3 GL, 4-speed manual
*1.5 GL, 4-speed manual
*1.3 GLS, 4-speed manual
*1.5 GLS, 5-speed manual
*1.5 GLS, 3-speed automatic

=== 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.

==== Lineup ====
*1.5 LE, 4-speed manual
*1.5 L, 4-speed manual
*1.5 GL, 4-speed manual
*1.5 GL, 5-speed manual
*1.5 GLS, 5-speed manual
*1.5 GLS, 3-speed automatic

{{clear}}

== {{anchor|X2}} Second generation  (X2; 1989–1995) ==
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Second generation (X2)
| aka = Hyundai X2 (UK)<ref name=X2/>
| image = 1990 Hyundai Excel (X2) GS 3-door hatchback.jpg
| production = 1989–1995<br />1995–1998 (Philippines)
| assembly = South Korea: [[Ulsan]]<br />Philippines: [[Makati]] ([[:de:Francisco Motors Corporation|Francisco Motors Corporation]])
| designer = 
| body_style = 3/5-door [[hatchback]]<br />4-door [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]]<br />3-door [[panel van]]<ref name=Van>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqz-xNI5N1c Hyundai EXCEL van 1991 commercial 현대 엑셀 밴, www.youtube.com] Retrieved 13 February 2017</ref>
| engine = {{ubl | 1.3&nbsp;L ''[[Mitsubishi Orion engine#4G13|4G13]]'' [[Straight-four engine|I4]] | 1.5&nbsp;L ''[[Mitsubishi Orion engine#4G15|4G15]]'' I4 }}
| transmission = 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]<br />5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]<br />3-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]<br /> 4-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|93.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| length = 1990–91 & 1993–94 3-Door Hatchback: {{convert|161.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1990–91 & 1993–94 5-Door Hatchback: {{convert|168.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1992 Sedan: {{convert|168.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1992 Hatchback: {{convert|161.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width = 1990–91 & 1993–94: {{convert|63.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1992: {{convert|63.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height = 1993–94: {{convert|54.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1992: {{convert|51.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1990: {{convert|51.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = 
}}
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.

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 second-generation Excel was given a facelift and slightly enlarged from 1990 onwards, while its engine adopted [[multi-point fuel injection]], and a new 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission was offered. 

The 1.3 model and the [[Mitsubishi Colt]] also share the same engine and gearbox.

<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
File:1992 Hyundai Pony X2 LS 1.3 Front.jpg|1992 Hyundai Pony X2 LS 1.3 (UK)
File:1992 Hyundai Pony X2 LS 1.3 Rear.jpg|1992 Hyundai Pony X2 LS 1.3 (UK)
File:1992 Hyundai Pony X2 LS 1.3 Interior.jpg|Interior
</gallery>

=== 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.

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

<gallery widths="200" heights="134">
File:1993 Hyundai Excel (X2) Sprint 3-door hatchback (2015-11-13) 01.jpg|1991–1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) Sprint 3-door hatchback (Australia)
File:1993 Hyundai Excel (X2) Sprint 3-door hatchback (2015-11-13) 02.jpg|1991–1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) Sprint 3-door hatchback (Australia)
File:1991-1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) LS 5-door hatchback 03.jpg|1991–1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) LS 5-door hatchback (Australia)
File:1991-1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) LS 5-door hatchback 04.jpg|1991–1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) LS 5-door hatchback (Australia)
File:1991-1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) LS sedan 02.jpg|1991–1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) LS sedan (Australia)
File:1991-1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) LS sedan 03.jpg|1991–1994 Hyundai Excel (X2) LS sedan (Australia)
File:Hyundai Pony front 20081125.jpg|Hyundai Pony GLS sedan (Germany)
File:Hyundai Pony rear 20081125.jpg|Hyundai Pony GLS sedan (Germany)
</gallery>

=== Markets ===
It was sold in CX, LX and CXL trim levels in '''South Korea'''.
The South Korean (home market) range was:
* 1.3 CX (3-door hatchback, 5-door [[hatchback]], 4-door sedan)
* 1.3 LX (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan)
* 1.5 CX (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan)
* 1.5 LX (5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)
* 1.5 CXL (5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon).

All models sold in '''North America''' had the 1.5-liter engine producing {{convert|81|hp||0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|91|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}}, with automatic transmission as a freestanding option for any model. The lineup available at '''U.S.''' Hyundai dealers was;
* Base (3-door hatchback, 4 door sedan)
* GL (3-door hatchback, 4 door sedan, 5 door hatchback in 1990 only)
* GLS (3-door hatchback, 4 door sedan)
* GS (3-door hatchback)

The 5-door model may have been available in '''Canada''' for a longer period and in a wider variety of trims. The Mitsubishi Precis came as a 3-door only, in trim levels equivalent to the base and GL Hyundai-branded cars.

Hyundai launched the Excel in '''Thailand''' in the early 1990s. The lineup consisted of:
* 1.3 Base (Manual and Automatic)
* 1.3 LS (Manual and Automatic)
* 1.5 LS (Manual)
* 1.5 GLS (Manual and Automatic, with a fuel injected version (GLSi) also available)

The Excel was marketed in [[Eurasia]] as the Hyundai Pony or Pony X2 (X2 representing second generation). In the '''United Kingdom''' and some parts of '''Europe''', versions available were:
* 1.3 S (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback)
* 1.3 Sonnet (3-door hatchback) – replaced 1.3 S base model
* 1.3 LS (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan)
* 1.5 GSi (5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan)

However, some European markets did not get the 1.3 version and the range was:
* 1.5 L (3-door)
* 1.5 LE (3-door)
* 1.5 GL (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback)
* 1.5 LS (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan)
* 1.5 GS (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan)
* 1.5 GT (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback) – note, not all markets got this version
* 1.5 GLS (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan)

==== European lineup 1989 ====
The 1989 European Pony and Excel lineup was the most extensive, although not all models were available in any single market.

{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-3}}
Pony three-door hatchback: 
*LE 4-speed manual
*L 4-speed manual
*L 5-speed manual
*GS 5-speed manual
*GT 5-speed manual
*GT 3-speed automatic
*GTi 5-speed manual
*GTi 4-speed automatic
*GTX 5-speed manual
*GTXi 5-speed manual
{{Col-3}}
Pony five-door hatchback:
*GL, 4-speed manual
*GL, 5-speed manual
*GL, 3-speed automatic
*GLS, 5-speed manual
*GLS, 3-speed automatic
{{Col-3}}
Excel four-door sedan:
*L 4-speed manual
*GL 4-speed manual
*GL 5-speed manual
*GLS 5-speed manual
*SX 5-speed manual
*SLX 5-speed manual
*SLX 3-speed automatic
*SLXi 5-speed manual
*SLXi 4-speed automatic
*SGX 5-speed manual
*SGXi 5-speed manual
{{Col-end}}

==== European lineup 1990 ====
For 1990, the trim levels were reduced and simplified.

*Pony three-door hatchback GL, 4-speed manual
*Pony three-door hatchback GL, 5-speed manual
*Pony three-door hatchback GS, 5-speed manual
*Pony three-door hatchback GS, 3-speed automatic
*Pony five-door hatchback GL, 5-speed manual
*Pony five-door hatchback GLS, 5-speed manual
*Pony five-door hatchback GLS, 3-speed automatic
*Excel four-door sedan GL, 5-speed manual
*Excel four-door sedan GLS, 5-speed manual
*Excel four-door sedan GLS, 3-speed automatic

{{clear}}

== {{anchor|X3}} Third generation  (X3; 1995–1999) ==
[[File:1994-1997 Hyundai Excel (X3) LX sedan (2010-07-13) 01.jpg|thumb|Hyundai Excel (X3)]]
{{further|Hyundai Accent#X3|l1=Hyundai Accent (X3)}}
When the [[Hyundai Accent]] was introduced in 1994 for the 1995 model year, it continued to be called '''Hyundai Excel''' in some markets, including the Netherlands, Belgium and Australia.

Also in Indonesia, the first, second and fourth generation Hyundai Accent sedans were sold as Excel, Excel II and Excel III. Based from lowest trim level and only sold for taxi companies.

{{clear}}

==References==
{{Commons category|Hyundai Excel}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Hyundai timeline 1968–1997}}
{{Hyundai North America}}
{{Mitsubishi Motors vehicles}}

[[Category:1980s cars]]
[[Category:1990s cars]]
[[Category:2000s cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1985]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1999]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Hatchbacks]]
[[Category:Hyundai vehicles|Excel]]
[[Category:Subcompact cars]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Vans]]