XG350, Good car for the $ ?

Looked at more pricey cars, nissan-honda-even chrysler.. The xg350 seems
like a lot of features for the price. Has it been a reliable car?? I see
it's got a long warranty. Thanks, Y.D.

 

I think it's the least reliable of the Hyundai U.S. line. I don't think
it's any worse than any of the American products, however, in terms of
reliability. Be sure you test drive it. Some people don't like the
electronic throttle. I personally don't like the floating ride or uneasy
handling, but that could be what you're looking for. I wouldn't rule it
out, just make sure you'll be getting what you want.

 

If you can wait, the early 2005 released of the 2006 Sonata and XG look like
they are are
going to be a big step up in quailty materials and design.

XG
http://www.uploadit.org/ascariss/020_avanp_x_1.jpg
Sonata
http://www.wickedweb.org/images/vwvortex/sonata_0729.jpg

 

Hyundaitech-
Having undertaken extensive research on the XG350L for my next car purchase,
and eventually purchasing a 2004 model this past July- took great note of
your comments. A few queries and observations in return:

1) Your statement "least reliable" was quite striking and sweeping (whole
model line..?). However, you did qualify that with a "think" modifier.
Would definitely appreciate some specifics and FACTS, pertinent to the
2003-2004 years.

2) Reviewed all customary XG350L sources (Edmunds, Carpoint, etc.),
Hyundai-specific forums (including this newsgroup), and direct Hyundai
resources (TSB, alerts, etc):
a) NO data or facts, even from Hyundai itself, indicate ANY reliability
issues great than any other Hyundai model. Frankly, the XG350L shows the
least. Why the discrepancy between your "thoughts" and actual available
data??

3) Specifically regarding the electronic throttle, I'll agree there IS a
difference. But does difference = reliability; how so??

4) Appreciate your "opinion" on the ride/handling; but again, is this a
relability factor?? Think not. Moreover, many reviews for the XG350L
explicitly note its ride handling aspects as NOT being a "sport-tuned"
experience. Neither is it an overt wallowing whale or disaster. As you
state it IS a matter of opinion/preference.. Is the XG350L ride/handling
aspect a reliability issue? Is it the worst of the whole Hyundai model
line?

Would appreciate any specific factual responses for my enlightenment..
Regards,
Robert G. Ragosta

 

For those that review Consumer Reports, here is what they had to say:

f you want to reminisce about a brand-new Buick from the 1960's, this
is it. Hyundai's flagship, the XG350, has a torquey 3.5-liter V6
engine. The interior is roomy and fairly quiet, and features amenities
such as automatic climate control and heated, powered leather seats.
Handling is ungainly, with pronounced body roll and slow steering. The
ride, while comfortable and isolated, can get floaty on undulations,
especially at higher speeds.

Although invitingly priced for its size and content, the XG350 faces a
raft of more established and more competent high-end V6-powered family
sedans.

Reliability has been average and depreciation is much worse than
average (poor rating).


-
--
Curtis Newton

http://surf.to/cnewton
ICQ: 4899169
Anti-Spam filter in place--
<delete remove-this. to respond to email>

 

Curtis-
Appreciate the CR quote. However, I view CR as the LEAST accurate/consistent
of any of the major sources of auto assessment. Regardless, the perception
of ride/handling in a clearly stated NON-sport vehicle is just that
perception and preference- since, I could quote (at minimum) 5 other
"professional" reviews which praise the XG350L's smooth and comfortable
ride/handling. One thing mutually agreed to- this is NOT a sport vehicle;
although it never asserted it was...

Additionally, am still looking and waiting for FACTS and SPECIFICS which
will confirm/validate the comment that- the 2004 XG350L is the "least
reliable of the Hyundai U.S. line".

Regards,
Robert G. Ragosta

 

I love mine. Smooooothe ride, very good acceleration, comfortable, no
problems at all. NO REGRETS!

 

Ditto on being happy with my '02. There have been some little nagging
annoyances (search Google for some of my posts), but in all in all, I have
no regrets.
-B

 

Actually, I pretty much agree point for point with the CR quote posted
above.

 

I don't have any specific data to present, nor did I intend my post to
suggest I did. My statements are based purely on my personal experience
and observations servicing Hyundais. Take that for what it is, possibly
even my own personal prejudice.

The only point I can address specifically is the electronic throttle
issue, for which I've replaced several throttle bodies due to binding
throttle motors and several accelerator position sensors. Throttle bodies
on models without electronic throttle tended to be replaced only for
coolant leakage issues where the throttle body couldn't be repaired. I
think in 11 years I've replaced exactly one throttle cable, and that was
because it was physically damaged. So yes, I can see a correlation
between electronic throttle and reliability. I also believe it's not a
cause and effect matter. The parts in question can be better constructed
to not lead as easily to the problems that are occurring. Once again, my
02.

As always, free advice is only worth what it costs.

 

Hyundaitech-
Really appreciate your reply and personal experience specifics. Overall, as
I expected- a GREAT balanced and measured response- my compliments..

Regards,
Robert G. Ragosta

 

Not specifically an XG350 owner since I bought an XG300 new in November
2000. But I have had overall a good experience with the car. It is not a
sports car as the lawsuit made clear but it is a nice car for the money.
The electronic throttle body needs to be replaced because periodically the
check engine light comes on but since its not covered under the warranty
(falls under emisions apparantly) I have declined to have it repaired. If
you wait a day the light will go back out. (no big to me) And this has not
affected the overall ride. I have 90K miles on the car now and will drive
it until it completely falls apart which hopefully be 3-4 more years.

The overall fit and finish has held up I think better than American made
sedans but maybe a bit behind the Toyota's of the world. If I knew what I
know now, I probably would not have bought it but only because I think I
would have bought a truck instead.

Good luck
David

 

I've posted here many times, but I'll give you my opinion. I purchased
a brand new XG350L with 8 miles on it. Got a very good deal (at least
I think so). I paid $20,000 out the door (sticker was $26,818).

I put 32,000 miles on it before I traded it in about 2 months ago (so
maybe you're going to buy my old 02??). Anyway, I really liked the
car. The fit and finish is far superior to any American make (I'm
comparing mainly to Ford). The only problems I had were the following
(and I'm sure Hyundaitech will say they are know problems, but if you
can't get Hyundai to fix them that's another issue).

1. Car would surge while lightly accelerating (like from a stop) about
2% of the time. Do a search on Google for XG350 and lunge and you will
find many past posts.
2. AM radio sucks (on all the Hyundai's, not just the XG350).
3. The climate control was not very accurate.

All of the above problems the car had when it was brand new, so they
were not bad enough to be a deal breaker. I really did love the car
but would have to give it a 7 on a scale from 1 to 10 because of the
above issues. A similar car like a Lexus would cost easily $40K, but
MAY not have those problems. It handled well, got great gas mileage
(21 MPG avg) and is a very safe heavy car.

My main reason for trading it was I really missed my SUV so I bought a
04 Toyota 4runner. By the way, the climate control is a perfect 10 in
the 04 4runner along with the stock am/fm/cassette/cd radio.

Why didn't I buy a Hyundai Santa Fe?? Well my wife has a 02 so I get
to drive it a lot and found it a little too small for my needs. The
Kia Sorrento is the perfect size, but without the Hyundai logo I just
don't trust it (even though it has the same engine as my XG350L, and
shares many parts with the Santa Fe).

By the way, I did have a very hard time trading it a Toyota
dealerships. Many refused to take for $100 (my starting offer) saying
they just don't want a Hyundai on the lot. Now my XG350 was MINT! No
dings, dent's or scratches.

 

On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 02:04:43 -0400, wrote:

I have a 2002 XG350L with 23,000 miles and it has been into the
dealer for a multitude of problems, some many, many times.

1 When cold the engine bogs under mild acceleration - pressing
the accelerator pedal slightly has no resulting increase in
speed/power - pressing just slightly further results in car shooting
forward. Never fixed. You will HATE this drive-by-wire throttle.
2 Also has very poor throttle control when warm. Accelerator
pedal movement does not always sync with engine output. Pressing the
gas does not always result in corresponding acceleration, especially
in turns. Pressing slightly further causes too much acceleration.
Never fixed - the electronic drive-by-wire throttle SUCKS!
3 Had to replace power seat track drivers side during which
dealer damaged the interior.
4 Rough idle often. Both when cold and when warmed up.
5 Shudder/vibration felt through car upon mild acceleration.
Finally, after two years this was repaired after I found a TSB issued
this year - they replaced both front drive axles. One of the CV joints
failed three days later. Took two months to get the original
driveshafts in and two more months for the replacement. It was just
replaced three days ago and I am holding my breath.
6 Shifts from gear to gear are abrupt, especially when the car
is running hot in stop and go traffic. They have replaced the
transmission FOUR TIMES.
7 Delay before shifting into reverse after a drive, one to two
seconds before shifting, does not drop immediately into reverse after
selecting it. They say this is normal for this transmission.
8 Left turn signal occasionally sticks when using it to change
lanes.
9 Loud noise (LIKE AN ALTERNATOR WHINE) coming from left front
speaker when radio is on during a hard rain.
10 Wiper's chattering across windshield . They replaced wipers as
they were warped.
11 Bad skunk-like odor comes from air conditioning when turned
on. Takes a long time to moderate. They sprayed Frigi-Fresh into AC
inlet.
12 Automatic climate control fan speeds have a mind of their own
- change constantly. During the winter the "fan delay until engine
provides heat" function does not work after car has been sitting
during the day. The fan comes on immediately and blasts cold air. When
the car is started cold in the morning the heat is delayed and does
not come on even when the car shows it is fully warmed up.
13 Front suspension has a persistent knock/clunk when traveling
over mild pavement dips. Finally fixed after finding a TSB about sway
bar bushings - they replaced front sway bar and mounts/bushings.
14 Windshield wiper one-wipe button causes wipers to stop halfway
up glass. This happens on Sonatas also. Hyundai design defect.
15 Front left speaker buzzes when radio is playing. Never fixed
16 Front left glass misaligned. Never fixed.
17 Front brakes have rotor runout - severe brake pulsation and
vibration when stopping, especially from speed. They cut the rotors to
fix.
20 The already-replaced left sun visor is now splitting at the
seam. This has been replaced THREE TIMES.
21 Mirror trim pieces on both sides have paint flaking off. These
have been replaced THREE TIMES plus they messed up the weather
stripping so now I have wind noise.

More notes:

Autochromatic mirror does not have a manual override (needed for
daytime glare).
Accelerator pedal drive-by-wire horrible.
Automatic dipping mirrors do not completely return to their home
position if engine is shut off while they are moving.
Vanity mirrors do not light if engine is not running.
Vanity mirrors only have one bulb and it is of too low wattage.
Trip computer cannot display average MPG. If it knows gallons left in
tank (which it does) and can compute the distance to empty (which it
does) why is average MPG not provided in display?
Rear seat ventilation needs its own fan with speed control - output is
poor.
Car feels heavy and ponderous - steering is heavy and slow.
Lot of wind noise through sunroof and windows when open.
Steering is dead - cannot trust the car is going where you steer.
Not enough directional control for A/C vents. They need more
adjustment range so they do not blow air onto passenger or driver.
Displays wash out in sunlight including the dashboard.
Parking brake needs to be of more modern style - a pull-handle - not a
foot pedal.
Transmission shifts poorly one moment and correctly the next - no
consistency.
Slippery steering wheel - the fake wood may look pretty but it is too
slippery.
The doors do not open, if locked, just by pulling the door handle. The
cheaper Elantra opens the locked doors just by pulling on the door
handle. Why do they not include this on the XG?

Hope you have better luck!