2005 Hyundai XG350 Review

Five years ago, when Hyundai launched the XG as the flagship of its fleet, luxury was not a word associated with the brand. After all, this South Korean car maker had made its reputation with bargain-basement compact cars, some seriously lacking in quality. Recently, Hyundai has done more than just keep up.

Quality has improved dramatically in its bread-and-butter economy models, and it now offers a range of models that provide serious competition to mainstream brands.

With continuing improvement in power, convenience, and styling since its launch, the spacious and elegantly styled four-door, five passenger Hyundai XG350 offers the trappings of cars in the so-called near-luxury class. There is still one difference, however: price. The two XG350 models still have sticker prices closer to those of plain midsize sedans in the mid-20s.

Add in Hyundai's five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty coupled with its standard-setting 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and the Hyundai XG350 represents real value.

A full range of luxury features is standard on the base model, and the only slightly more expensive upgraded model adds a few more nice conveniences. Equally pleasing is the competent 194-horsepower engine, which delivers good acceleration performance. Anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and traction control come standard, active safety features that can help the driver maintain control in an emergency maneuver.

The Hyundai XG350 has the presence of a luxury car. The front end could fool many a discerning observer, especially as it remains discreetly minus any Hyundai logo that might hint that this is a value-priced car.

The stylish front end is set off by an impressive horizontal grille flanked by neatly integrated projection-lamp headlights. Thin, inset, chrome-like strips wrap around each corner of the bumper and are mirrored on the rear bumper. Detracting slightly from an otherwise gracefully clean nose presentation, Hyundai chose to break up the large air intake in the bumper with body-colored horizontal ribs and mold a license plate emboss into the center of the bumper. But you may need to bolt a license plate there, anyway.

A modestly crisp beltline blends smoothly into gently rounded shoulders at the rear, capped by the bright jeweled tail lights. The license plate is located in a recess in the trunk lid, topped with a bold, horizontal strip of brightwork and framed by the backup lights; this gives it a look in keeping with other luxury cars. Only the trademark Hyundai logo on the rear belies the heritage of the elegant design.

The windshield and window design balances openness with structure. The slim windshield pillars minimize blind spots. Tall side windows add to the airy atmosphere inside. The outside door handles are well-designed: attractive, comfortable, and easy to grab.