The 1986 Hyundai Excel came to market as a small, economical front-wheel-drive car aimed at practical daily transportation during Hyundai’s early years in the U.S. That makes tire choice on this exact model less about nostalgia-driven bias-ply decisions and more about getting the right radial size and appearance for the car’s original character. The 1986 Hyundai Excel uses 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 radial tires on 13-inch rims, so the key question is confirming which of those two sizes suits the car’s current wheel setup. Available choices range from blackwall to narrow and wide whitewall styles, making it possible to balance authentic small-car proportions, restoration taste, and road-use needs.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Hyundai Excel
The 1986 Hyundai Excel uses two primary tire sizes, both in radial construction on 13-inch rims. Because every covered sub-model can use either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the first step is confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car before choosing a replacement. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to sidewall style, tire series, and the type of appearance or driving use you want from the car.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1986 Hyundai Excel, this size keeps the fitment in a traditional small-car radial format. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with blackwall absent here but narrow and wide whitewall treatments available across several series. This size is worth considering if maintaining the car’s slimmer original-looking proportions and a more vintage whitewall presentation matters to your final tire choice.
175/70R13 is also a metric radial size, with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1986 Hyundai Excel, it represents the other primary radial fitment used on the same wheel diameter. The available product in this size is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall, giving it a more performance-oriented visual character than the whitewall choices offered in 155/80R13. This size deserves closer attention when the car already wears 175/70R13 tires or when wheel width and current setup point clearly to that fitment.
Fitment across the covered 1986 Hyundai Excel sub-models is straightforward because each one is associated with the same two radial tire sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still helps, but the bigger step is verifying which 13-inch wheel and tire combination is currently installed on the car.
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1986 Hyundai Excel Base
The 1986 Hyundai Excel Base uses the same two 13-inch radial tire sizes found across the rest of the covered lineup. That means the tire decision usually comes down to confirming the wheel setup on the car, then choosing between the narrower 155/80R13 options and the 175/70R13 alternative.
The 1986 Hyundai Excel GL shares the same pair of radial tire sizes used throughout the model range. Tire selection is therefore less about trim-level differences and more about matching the replacement tire to the actual wheel width, current size, and the look you want from the finished setup.
The 1986 Hyundai Excel GL w/aluminum wheels is associated with the same two radial tire sizes as the other covered versions. Because wheel material alone does not settle the fitment question, it is smart to confirm the tire size already mounted and compare wheel width before choosing between available styles and series.
The 1986 Hyundai Excel GLS uses the same 13-inch radial tire size range as the other sub-models on this page. That keeps fitment simple, but it still pays to verify which of the two sizes is on the car now before selecting a whitewall or blackwall replacement.
The 1986 Hyundai Excel GLS w/aluminum wheels follows the same overall tire-fitment pattern as the rest of the 1986 Excel range. Tire choice depends on confirming whether the car is set up for 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, then matching that size to the appearance and rim-width requirements of the tire you prefer.
The 1986 Hyundai Excel w/aluminum wheels also shares both primary radial tire sizes used on this model. The practical takeaway is to inspect the existing tire size and wheel dimensions first, then choose the replacement that best matches the car’s current fitment and visual style.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1986 Hyundai Excel Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Hyundai Excel tire choices center on radial construction in 13-inch sizes, with 155/80R13 options from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, plus a 175/70R13 Avon alternative. The main comparison points are sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility.
These 1986 Hyundai Excel tire FAQs focus on the two primary 13-inch radial sizes, shared sub-model fitment, sidewall and brand choices, and the wheel, condition, and maintenance checks that matter before putting the car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Hyundai Excel?
The 1986 Hyundai Excel uses two primary tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. Both are radial tires designed for 13-inch rims, and both sizes appear across the covered Excel sub-models, including Base, GL, GLS, and aluminum-wheel versions.
That means the real fitment question is not which trim gets which size, but which size is actually on the car now. Checking the existing tire sidewall, wheel width, and overall wheel setup is the safest way to choose correctly, especially if the car has had replacement wheels or previous tire changes during its life.
What size rim does a 1986 Hyundai Excel use?
Both tire sizes used on the 1986 Hyundai Excel are built for a 13-inch rim diameter. Whether the car is running 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the wheel diameter stays the same, so the main fitment difference is the tire size itself rather than a change in wheel diameter.
Wheel diameter is only part of the decision, though. Rim width also matters, particularly when comparing specific tire options within these sizes, so it helps to confirm the actual wheel dimensions before ordering replacements. That is especially important on cars that may have aluminum wheels, aftermarket wheels, or a different tire size than what was mounted years ago.
Do all 1986 Hyundai Excel sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1986 Hyundai Excel sub-models all share the same two tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. That includes Base, GL, GL w/aluminum wheels, GLS, GLS w/aluminum wheels, and Excel w/aluminum wheels, all using radial construction on 13-inch rims.
Because the sub-models overlap on both sizes, the practical step is to confirm the specific wheel and tire combination currently installed on the car. Looking only at the trim name may not settle the question, especially on an older vehicle that could have had wheel swaps, replacement tires, or cosmetic changes that affect which of the two correct sizes makes the most sense.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1986 Hyundai Excel?
A 155/80R13 tire for a 1986 Hyundai Excel should first match the car’s actual mounted size and 13-inch wheel setup. After confirming that, the main differences come from brand, tire series, sidewall appearance, and the rim-width specifications attached to individual products in this size.
This size offers the broadest visual variety, including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel. That makes it a strong choice for an owner who wants to keep the Excel’s compact proportions while also selecting a more restoration-oriented or period-style presentation instead of a plain blackwall look.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Hyundai Excel tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size selected for the 1986 Hyundai Excel. In 155/80R13, available styles include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall, while the 175/70R13 option shown here is a blackwall tire.
That gives the car two very different visual directions. A whitewall can create a more vintage small-car appearance, while a blackwall keeps the look simpler and more understated. The right choice depends on whether the Excel is being kept close to its original-era personality, refreshed for casual driving, or fitted to match a particular wheel style already on the vehicle.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Hyundai Excel?
Tires for the 1986 Hyundai Excel are available here from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon. The 155/80R13 size carries the broadest brand spread, while 175/70R13 is represented by Avon in the CR6ZZ series.
Brand is only one part of the decision. It helps to compare the tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width specifications tied to the exact size you need, since those details shape both the appearance of the finished car and how comfortably the tire matches the wheel already installed on your Excel.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Hyundai Excel?
For a period-style 1986 Hyundai Excel, 155/80R13 is the size with the strongest appearance-driven selection because it is offered with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. That makes it the better place to look if the goal is a traditional small-car presentation rather than a more modern blackwall look.
Choosing for appearance still starts with correct fitment, so the mounted size and wheel dimensions should be confirmed before focusing on styling. Once that is settled, the decision becomes whether the car looks right with a subtle narrow whitewall or a more pronounced wide whitewall, while keeping the overall proportions appropriate to an economy car from the mid-1980s.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1986 Hyundai Excel restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1986 Hyundai Excel restoration because the car’s small overall scale makes tire proportions easy to notice. Using the proper 13-inch radial size helps preserve the stance and visual balance that suit the car, whether the choice ends up being 155/80R13 or 175/70R13.
Appearance is only part of the equation. The tire also needs to suit the wheel on the car, so checking current wheel width and existing tire size avoids selecting a style that looks right but does not match the actual setup. That is especially worthwhile on cars restored over time with replacement wheels or mixed trim components.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Hyundai Excel?
Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Hyundai Excel even though both primary sizes use the same 13-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, changes in rim width, suspension alterations, or body modifications can all influence which tire size works best and how much clearance remains around the tire.
That is why the actual car should be checked rather than assuming every Excel still matches its original setup. Looking at wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space is especially important if the car has been lowered, fitted with non-original wheels, or changed over the years, since those factors can matter more than the trim name alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Hyundai Excel on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Hyundai Excel on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 13-inch diameter and appropriate width, then verify that the new tire size matches the car’s intended setup. It also makes sense to check valve stems, wheel condition, lug hardware, and overall clearance at the front and rear.
A short shakedown drive is a smart next step, followed by another look for rubbing, uneven seating, or pressure loss. Older cars can have alignment issues, worn suspension parts, or previous repairs that only show up once the vehicle is moving again, so early inspection helps protect both the new tires and the drivability of the car.
How should 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 tires on a collector 1986 Hyundai Excel be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1986 Hyundai Excel should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and occasional movement of the car so the tires do not sit in one position for long periods. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, tread wear, and slow air loss are all worth watching closely on a low-use vehicle.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage. Keeping the Excel away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the condition of 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 tires over time. Even if tread looks good, age and long stationary periods can still affect roadworthiness, so condition should be reviewed before any longer drive.
