Replacement for Pony, selling on price, as it was dynamically inferior to many western vehicles. Handsome Giugiaro styling for the original meant it looked more acceptable than bargain-basement types from the Soviet Union, but quality niggles soon emerged, and Hyundai’s strong US entry with the Excel soon petered out. The second-generation model softened the lines and there were improvements, but the game had moved on then, too. Some countries received successive models under the Excel nameplate.

• Hyundai Excel (X1)
• Hyundai Excel (X2)
• Hyundai Accent (X3)
• Hyundai Verna (LC)

Marque: Hyundai | Predecessors: Hyundai Pony, Hyundai Presto | Successor: Hyundai Accent