The 1988 Hyundai Excel came from the moment when small front-wheel-drive economy cars were becoming a familiar part of the American market, and tire choice plays a big role in how one of these cars looks and feels today. For an owner keeping an Excel on the road, fitment centers on two 13-inch radial sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. That gives you a useful split between traditional whitewall-oriented offerings in the narrower size and a blackwall performance-oriented option in the wider one. The right choice depends on the wheel setup already on the car, the appearance you want, and whether the goal is routine road use or a more restoration-minded presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Hyundai Excel
The 1988 Hyundai Excel uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial tires built for 13-inch wheels. Because the same two sizes appear across the covered sub-models, the first step is usually confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car now. From there, the decision becomes choosing the right width, profile, and product style for the way the car will be used and presented.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 refers to the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1988 Hyundai Excel, this size represents the narrower of the two 13-inch fitments and is offered only as a radial. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations across series such as UN106, Silvertown Radial, Classic Whitewall MA-1, and Tornel Classic. It is the size to evaluate when preserving a smaller original-style footprint or selecting among whitewall-oriented appearances matters most.
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 1988 Hyundai Excel, it is the wider and lower-profile primary fitment while staying on the same wheel diameter as the 155/80R13 option. In this size, the available product is the Avon CR6ZZ in blackwall form, giving it a distinctly different character from the whitewall-heavy choices in the narrower size. It is the size to review carefully when the car already wears this setup or when wheel width and overall presentation point toward the broader radial.
Tire fitment is fairly straightforward across the covered 1988 Hyundai Excel sub-models because each one uses the same two primary 13-inch radial sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm the car's wheel setup, especially when aluminum-wheel versions are involved or when the car may have been changed over time.
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1988 Hyundai Excel Base
The 1988 Hyundai Excel Base uses the same pair of 13-inch radial tire sizes found across the covered Excel lineup. Tire selection comes down to confirming which of the two sizes is on the car now and then choosing the sidewall style and product character that best suits its intended use.
The 1988 Hyundai Excel GL shares the same 13-inch radial fitment range as the other covered sub-models. That makes the main decision less about trim level and more about verifying the actual wheel-and-tire combination before selecting between the narrower whitewall-oriented size and the wider blackwall alternative.
The 1988 Hyundai Excel GL w/aluminum wheels uses the same two primary radial tire sizes as the rest of the covered Excel range. Because wheel material does not by itself settle which tire size is mounted, it is worth checking the current wheel width and existing tire markings before choosing a replacement.
The 1988 Hyundai Excel GLS follows the same 13-inch radial fitment pattern as the other listed sub-models. For tire selection, the practical issue is confirming whether the car is running the 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 setup, then choosing the style and series that match the car's appearance and road use.
The 1988 Hyundai Excel GLS w/aluminum wheels is covered by the same two 13-inch radial tire sizes used elsewhere in the 1988 Excel line. Replacement choice should focus on the actual wheels fitted to the car, since that determines which size and rim-width range make the most sense to compare.
The 1988 Hyundai Excel w/aluminum wheels uses the same radial tire-size range as the other covered versions of the model. That means the buyer should verify the current size on the vehicle first, then decide between a more traditional whitewall presentation or the wider blackwall option depending on the existing setup.
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 1988 Hyundai Excel Tires for Sale
Available 1988 Hyundai Excel tire choices span Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon across 13-inch radial sizes. The product grid is useful for comparing whitewall versus blackwall presentation, series character, and rim-width compatibility between the 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 fitments.
Common 1988 Hyundai Excel tire questions usually center on the two 13-inch radial sizes, how to confirm which one is on the car, and how whitewall or blackwall product choices affect the final selection.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Hyundai Excel?
A 1988 Hyundai Excel uses two primary tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. Both are radial tires for 13-inch wheels, and both appear across the covered Excel sub-models, including Base, GL, GLS, and aluminum-wheel versions.
That means the key step is not picking a trim-specific size so much as confirming which wheel-and-tire setup is already on the car. Check the sidewall markings on the current tires and confirm the wheel width before ordering, especially if the Excel has had replacement wheels or prior tire changes during its life.
What size rim does a 1988 Hyundai Excel use?
The 1988 Hyundai Excel uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. Whether the car is fitted with 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the wheel diameter remains the same, so the size difference is in width and profile rather than rim diameter.
Rim diameter is only one part of fitment, so it is still important to verify wheel width before choosing between the two sizes. Some available tires also carry different rim-width ranges, which matters if the car has aftermarket wheels, replacement steel wheels, or aluminum wheels that differ from the original setup.
Do all 1988 Hyundai Excel sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1988 Hyundai Excel sub-models share the same two tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. That includes Base, GL, GLS, and the versions identified with aluminum wheels, so fitment is consistent across the listed sub-model range.
Shared fitment does not mean every individual car is wearing both sizes today, so the actual tire currently mounted should still be checked. Cars that have changed hands, received replacement wheels, or been updated for appearance can end up on one size only, making a quick inspection the best way to avoid ordering the wrong tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1988 Hyundai Excel?
Start with the fact that 155/80R13 is a 13-inch metric radial and that the available choices in this size lean heavily toward traditional whitewall styling. Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel all offer this size, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall presentations depending on the series.
The best way to narrow the choice is to balance appearance with wheel compatibility and intended use. Compare rim-width ranges where they are given, look at load figures when available, and decide whether the car calls for a subtle narrow stripe, a wider whitewall, or a simpler road-use tire with less emphasis on restoration-style presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Hyundai Excel tires?
Sidewall style varies noticeably across the available 1988 Hyundai Excel tire choices. In 155/80R13, there are narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options, while 175/70R13 is represented by a blackwall Avon CR6ZZ.
That makes sidewall style an important part of the buying decision, not just a cosmetic detail. A whitewall can give the Excel a more traditional late-1980s small-car look, while a blackwall keeps the presentation simpler and more performance-oriented. The right choice depends on the exact size on the car and the appearance you want once the tires are mounted.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Hyundai Excel?
Tires for the 1988 Hyundai Excel are available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon. Most of that brand variety appears in 155/80R13, while 175/70R13 is represented by Avon in the available selection.
Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It is better to compare each tire within the correct size, then look at sidewall treatment, tire series, rim-width specification, and the overall presentation you want for the car. That approach is especially useful on an older Excel where visual style can matter as much as the basic fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Hyundai Excel?
For a period-style 1988 Hyundai Excel, the most natural starting point is the tire size already fitted to the car, then the available sidewall presentation within that size. In 155/80R13, whitewall choices from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel create a more traditional late-1980s small-car appearance than the blackwall 175/70R13 option.
A restoration-minded choice should account for both look and fitment, especially if the car has changed wheels over the years. When exact originality matters, compare the tire on the vehicle to period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references rather than assuming any current whitewall or blackwall offering matches the way the car left the showroom.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1988 Hyundai Excel restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1988 Hyundai Excel restoration because size, profile, and sidewall treatment all influence how the car sits and how finished it looks. Using one of the proper 13-inch radial sizes keeps the restoration grounded in the fitment range associated with the model.
Appearance is only part of the picture, since the tire also needs to suit the wheel already on the car. A restoration can lose its intended look quickly if the tire is mounted on the wrong wheel width or if a previous owner changed the car's setup, so matching the size to the actual wheel is just as important as choosing the right sidewall style.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Hyundai Excel?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1988 Hyundai Excel even though the primary sizes remain 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 on 13-inch wheels. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension alterations, or body modifications can all influence which tire size works properly on the car.
An older Excel may have been changed more than once, so the current setup matters more than assumptions about original trim. Check wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and steering components before replacing tires, especially if the car sits lower or wears wheels that differ from its earlier factory-style configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Hyundai Excel on new tires?
Before driving a 1988 Hyundai Excel on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the wheel setup, and make sure the tires are inflated properly. It also helps to check for suspension wear, loose steering components, and any signs that the old tires were rubbing or wearing unevenly.
A short test drive should include attention to vibration, pull, rubbing, and steering response. On a car of this age, new tires can reveal problems that older worn tires were masking, so it is wise to recheck pressure after the first drive and keep an eye on clearance and tread wear as the tires begin settling into use.
How often should tires on a 1988 Hyundai Excel be inspected?
Tires on a 1988 Hyundai Excel should be inspected regularly, not only by mileage but also by time, because older cars are often driven less and stored more. Look over the tread and sidewalls often for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, or slow air loss, even if the car has not covered many miles.
Low-use collector or hobby cars can age their tires out before they wear them out, so routine visual checks are especially important. Pressure should be monitored consistently, and the tires should be examined before any longer drive. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources also helps protect tire condition between outings.
