Power
0–62 mph (0–100 km/h)
Top speed (230 km/h)
Combined, EPA 2005
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the vehicle's age and maintenance history.
6 problems reported (1 very frequent, 3 recurrent, 1 isolated) · medium confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentElectronic throttle body system failure
Causes hesitation, unresponsive or erratic acceleration, limp mode (engine speed limited), with diagnostic codes P0224, P1110, P1171, P1195.
- RecurrentElectrical gremlins
Malfunctioning interior dome lights, door lights, dashboard illumination, seat warmer lights, door lock actuators, and intermittent tachometer operation.
- RecurrentEngine misfires
Particularly cylinder misfires requiring replacement of spark plugs, ignition coils, and wires.
+ 3 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentIntermittent warning lights
Check engine light and battery light illuminating due to underlying sensor or charging system issues.
- IsolatedDifficulty diagnosing problems
Mechanics misdiagnosing throttle body issues as oxygen sensor failures, leading to unnecessary repairs.
- Reported Issues (continued)
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to designate a specific model year or trim as "best." Feedback spans the 2001-2005 model years (XG300 and XG350) with similar praise for comfort and criticism for electronic issues.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Lincoln LS, Cadillac CTS, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata.
Is the XG right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Full owner reportHide full owner report
Overall sentiment
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the vehicle's age and maintenance history. Long-term owner reports from the early 2000s models (XG300, XG350) describe a vehicle that was smooth, quiet, solid, and offered good value as Hyundai's first foray into the luxury market, with some owners achieving high mileage (e.g., 250,000 miles) with minimal issues. However, a very frequent and dominant theme in community feedback is a pattern of specific, age-related mechanical and electrical failures. The most commonly cited problems involve the electronic throttle body system, leading to hesitation, limp mode, and difficult diagnoses. Other recurrent issues include various electrical gremlins affecting interior lights, gauges, and door locks, as well as engine misfires and ignition component failures in higher-mileage examples. The consensus indicates that when running properly, the XG is a comfortable and capable sedan, but it requires diligent maintenance and owners should be prepared to troubleshoot persistent electronic and sensor-related faults.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned as a value-oriented, near-luxury sedan. Owner discussions favorably compare its ride quality, interior quietness, and features to contemporaries like the Lincoln LS, considering it a better value. It is noted as being more affordable than premium German rivals. However, it is frequently contrasted with the superior long-term reliability and lower cost of ownership of mainstream Japanese sedans like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, especially for buyers on a strict budget. The mechanically similar Kia Amanti is identified as a direct parts donor. Compared to a Cadillac CTS of the same era, one comparative analysis noted the XG had more favorable contemporary reviews and better braking performance.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available regarding recommended configurations, trims, or options. One owner noted the V6 engine.
General recommendations
Suitable for experienced DIY owners or enthusiasts comfortable with diagnosing electronic sensor faults and sourcing parts from junkyards or online auctions. Not recommended as a primary, reliable daily driver for those without mechanical aptitude or access to a trusted specialist. Essential to have a professional pre-purchase inspection focusing on the throttle body system, engine codes, and electrical functions. Verify all interior switches, lights, and gauges operate correctly. When purchasing, budget immediately for potential repairs to the throttle position sensor, throttle body assembly, and ignition components (coils, wires). Consider the Kia Amanti as a source for compatible used parts. Purchase price should be very low ($2,000 - $3,500 range as noted) to account for inevitable repair costs.
Remarks
The Hyundai XG300/XG350 is a legacy platform with limited parts availability through conventional retail channels, making owner-to-owner advice crucial. The throttle body issue is a well-documented failure point within the owner community, with solutions involving careful cleaning, sensor replacement, or sourcing a used throttle body assembly from a salvage yard. The high-mileage reliability praised by some owners is contingent upon overcoming these known electronic and sensor hurdles. Analysis based on approximately 10 substantive owner discussions specifically about the XG model, with additional context drawn from broader discussions about Hyundai brand reliability from the early 2000s era.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearNo year grades F. Best year: 2003Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 144 | 0 | air bags |
| 2004 | 92 | 1 | vehicle speed control |
| 2003 | 28 | 1 | vehicle speed control |
| 2002 | 71 | 1 | air bags |
| 2001 | 80 | 4 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | structure |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices7 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2004 · suspensioncampaign 09V124000
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
2003 · suspensioncampaign 09V124000
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
2002 · suspensioncampaign 09V124000
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
2001 · suspensioncampaign 09V124000
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
2001 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 02V105000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION THAT LEADS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT FROM MOTION OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHICH MOUNT TO THE ADJUSTABLE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND COULD PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR.
2001 · power traincampaign 01V362000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULES (PCM) WERE INSTALLED IN SOME VEHICLES. THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED PCMS CONTAINED A CONDENSER THAT WAS NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLED ONTO THE PCM PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. THE INCORRECT INSTALLATION OF THE CONDENSER COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE IGNITION FAILURE SENSOR.
2001 · equipment:other:labelscampaign 01V307000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD ATTACHED.
Specifications
3.5 i V6 24V
3.5L 6-cylinder · 197 hp · FWD · automatic
Built 2002–2005