When you first spot the Hyundai XG350 in traffic, you're likely to think it's a luxury car, probably of European descent. And Hyundi likes that. It's what they want to hear. While Hyundai's XG350 possesses a strikingly elegant and stylish theme, this is a car that hails from Korea, not Europe. But don't let that stop you from looking further at the flagship of Hyundai's fleet. Fact is, Hyundai's reputation has been steadily improving since they first landed on our shores with an auspicious beginning. For 2004, the XG350 has been revised and is even more refined than its predecessor. Some of the changes are easy to see; the 2004 XG350 has been restyled with a new grille, new headlight design, a new front bumper and a new front air dam with projection fog lamps. The new front end with a horizontal design airdam gives the XG a wider, more stable look and the projection fog lights give the front end a more sophisticated look. Slipping inside the luxurious cabin, the driver and passengers will find standard leather seating and some minor refinements such as lighter color woodgrain trim with a new pattern. Other refinements for the interior include a revised hood release lever, a redesigned tilt steering lever and the child seat tether anchors in the parcel shelf are now covered when not in use. New standard features for the 2004 XG350 include rear reading lights mounted in the C-pillars, electrochromic rearview mirror and a HomeLink system. When the luxurious Hyundai XG sedan was introduced three years ago, Hyundai asked U.S. car buyers a question. Would they spend nearly $25,000 for a Hyundai vehicle? It turns out the answer is a resounding 'yes.' Sales of the XG, the largest, most luxurious and most expensive Hyundai ever sold in the U.S. have exceeded company plans and expectations. The XG was first introduced in 2001 as the XG300. For the 2002 model year, the engine displacement was increased from 3.0-liters up to 3.5-liters, and as a result the XG300 became the XG350. Larger than Hyundai's midsize Sonata model, the XG350 comes with a full complement of standard luxury features. The Hyundai XG350, a four-door, five-passenger sedan, offers buyers luxury features at middle sedan prices. Two trim levels are offered: XG350 and XG350L. The XG350 offers an outstanding list of standard features including five-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual control, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control, dual front airbags and front seat side-impact airbags, leather seating surfaces, fully automatic temperature control, 16-inch alloy wheels fitted with Michelin tires, cruise control, keyless entry with alarm, projector beam headlamps, trip computer and much more. The XG350L includes all the standard features of the XG350 and adds newly designed 12-spoke alloy wheels, Premium Infinity speakers and 210-watt external amplifier, a power tilt/sliding moonroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel rim with woodgrain inserts and memory driver's seat. In addition, both the front seats are heated and the exterior mirrors have a memory function with an automatic tilt-down feature when the gear selector is put into reverse. A 3.5-liter V6 engine that develops 194 horsepower propels the XG350. While my co-tester and I found the 3.5-liter V6 in our XG350L to be adequate, we'd have preferred a few more ponies. The XG350 provides a pleasant ride, but it's obviously not as refined as other luxury cars. But, then again, the XG costs thousands of dollars less. The XG will pamper you with amenities. Visit your local dealer and you're likely to experience sticker shock. But it's the kind of sticker shock that will please you. The Hyundai XG350L offers a 3.5-liter V6 engine and plenty of luxury amenities for thousands less than the competition.
2004 Hyundai XG350L
Engine: 3.5-liter (194 hp) V6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Drive Type: FWD
Fuel Economy: 17 city/26 highway
Base Price: $25,599
As Tested: $26,278 (includes $590 for destination)
Website: www.hyundaiusa.com |
