The 1989 Hyundai Excel reflects the early years of Hyundai’s push into the U.S. market, when simple packaging, low curb weight, and compact front-wheel-drive proportions made small cars practical daily transportation. Today, surviving examples appeal to owners who want to preserve an increasingly uncommon late-1980s import with the right stance and tire look. The 1989 Hyundai Excel uses radial tires in two 13-inch sizes, 155/80R13 and 175/70R13, so the first task is confirming which size is on the car now. Available choices range from blackwall to narrow and wide whitewall options, making appearance just as important as fitment for many buyers.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1989 Hyundai Excel
The 1989 Hyundai Excel uses two primary tire sizes, both in radial construction and both built for 13-inch wheels. Because every covered sub-model can use either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the real fitment question is not trim level but confirming which wheel and tire setup is actually on the car before choosing between a narrower taller-profile look or a wider lower-profile alternative.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 indicates the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1989 Hyundai Excel, this size gives a traditional small-car profile and remains a straightforward choice for owners keeping a stock-looking 13-inch setup. Available options include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across several series. It is the size to evaluate if period-style appearance matters as much as basic road fitment.
175/70R13 is also a metric radial, with a nominal 175-millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, and fitment for a 13-inch wheel. On the 1989 Hyundai Excel, it represents a slightly wider modern metric size while staying within the same rim diameter as the 155/80R13 option. The available product offering in this size centers on the Avon CR6ZZ in blackwall form, giving it a more performance-oriented visual character than the whitewall choices offered in the narrower size. This size deserves a close look when the car already wears 175/70R13 tires or matching-width wheels.
Tire fitment is relatively straightforward across the covered 1989 Hyundai Excel sub-models because each one uses the same two 13-inch radial tire sizes. The important step is verifying the actual wheel and tire combination on the car, especially when aluminum-wheel versions or prior owner changes may affect what is installed now.
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1989 Hyundai Excel Base
The 1989 Hyundai Excel Base uses the same two radial tire sizes seen across the rest of the model range, both on 13-inch wheels. That makes tire selection more about confirming the current size on the car and then deciding between a stock-style whitewall presentation or a blackwall alternative.
The 1989 Hyundai Excel GL shares the same 13-inch radial tire fitment pattern as the other covered Excel sub-models. Once the installed tire size is confirmed, the choice shifts to appearance, brand, and whether the car is being kept close to its original late-1980s presentation.
The 1989 Hyundai Excel GL w/aluminum wheels uses the same two primary radial tire sizes as the rest of the lineup. Tire selection should begin with the size currently mounted, then move to wheel-width compatibility and the kind of sidewall treatment that best suits the car’s finish and intended use.
The 1989 Hyundai Excel GLS follows the same basic fitment pattern, with both primary tire sizes staying on a 13-inch rim diameter. That keeps the process simple, but it is still worth checking what is on the car now before choosing between the narrower 155-section option and the wider 175-section alternative.
The 1989 Hyundai Excel GLS w/aluminum wheels shares the same radial size choices as the standard GLS and the rest of the covered Excel range. Buyers should verify the wheel setup first, then compare sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width suitability within the size that is already being used.
The 1989 Hyundai Excel w/aluminum wheels uses the same 13-inch radial tire sizes as the other listed sub-models. That means the key decision is not the trim name itself, but whether the car is currently set up with 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 and which tire style best matches the car.
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 1989 Hyundai Excel Tires for Sale
Available 1989 Hyundai Excel tire choices span 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 radial sizes from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon. The strongest differences in the product grid are sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width specifications, with whitewall options concentrated in 155/80R13 and a blackwall performance-style choice in 175/70R13.
Common 1989 Hyundai Excel tire questions usually center on the two 13-inch radial sizes, how to confirm the correct setup on the car, and how sidewall style, wheel fitment, and maintenance affect a late-1980s compact that may now see limited use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1989 Hyundai Excel?
The 1989 Hyundai Excel uses two primary tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. Both are radial tires built for 13-inch wheels, and both appear across the covered Excel sub-model range rather than being limited to one trim alone.
That means the right choice usually comes down to confirming what is already mounted on the car. Check the sidewall of the current tires, confirm the wheel diameter is 13 inches, and make sure the wheel width matches the tire being considered before changing from one Excel size to the other.
What size rim does a 1989 Hyundai Excel use?
The primary tire fitments for a 1989 Hyundai Excel are built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Both 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 use that same 13-inch wheel size, so rim diameter stays consistent even though the tire widths and profiles differ.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, however. Wheel width still matters, especially if the car has replacement steel wheels or aftermarket aluminum wheels, so it is wise to confirm both the diameter and the wheel’s actual width before selecting a tire in either primary Excel size.
Do all 1989 Hyundai Excel sub-models use the same tire size?
The covered 1989 Hyundai Excel sub-models all share the same two primary 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.
Shared fitment across sub-models makes selection simpler, but it does not remove the need to inspect the individual car. A surviving Excel may already be wearing one of the two sizes, and wheel changes over the years can influence which tire width and profile make the most sense to keep.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1989 Hyundai Excel tire?
Start with the correct size on the car now, since a 1989 Hyundai Excel may use either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13. Both are radial 13-inch fitments, so the main choice is whether the car needs the narrower, taller-profile size or the wider, lower-profile alternative already associated with its current wheel setup.
After size, compare the features that affect how the car looks and how the tire fits the wheel. Sidewall style, brand, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and load figures where stated all matter, especially on an older compact where appearance and proper wheel match are often just as important as basic drivability.
What sidewall styles are available for 1989 Hyundai Excel tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1989 Hyundai Excel include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on tire size and series. The 155/80R13 offerings carry the broadest appearance range, while the available 175/70R13 product is presented as a blackwall tire.
That makes sidewall style an important part of the buying decision, not just a cosmetic detail. A whitewall can suit a restoration-minded or period-style presentation, while a blackwall keeps a cleaner late-1980s compact look, so it helps to decide first whether the tire should blend into the car or stand out visually.
What brands offer tires for the 1989 Hyundai Excel?
Tires for the 1989 Hyundai Excel are available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon across the two primary radial sizes. Brand selection is tied to size and style, with the 155/80R13 size carrying most of the whitewall-oriented variety and 175/70R13 centered on an Avon blackwall offering.
A useful way to compare brands on this car is by looking at what each one offers within the exact size you need. Tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width range, and overall presentation often separate the options more clearly than the brand name alone on an older small import like the Excel.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1989 Hyundai Excel?
A period-style 1989 Hyundai Excel usually starts with keeping one of its two proper 13-inch radial sizes, then choosing a tire that suits the car’s intended presentation. In 155/80R13, options include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles that can give the Excel a distinctly era-specific small-car look.
The best choice depends on whether the goal is a restrained stock-style appearance or a more noticeable vintage presentation. Exact originality can vary by market, trim, and prior replacement history, so owners pursuing a highly accurate restoration should compare tire appearance against period photos, sales literature, or marque-specific references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1989 Hyundai Excel?
Tire construction is simpler on the 1989 Hyundai Excel because its primary fitments are radial rather than bias-ply. That means the visual change comes less from construction type and more from size, profile, and sidewall treatment, especially when comparing blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations.
On a restored or carefully preserved Excel, the tire can strongly influence whether the car reads as basic commuter, tidy survivor, or period-style showpiece. Staying within the correct 13-inch radial fitments keeps the proportions appropriate, while the sidewall style helps determine how understated or how intentionally nostalgic the finished car looks.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1989 Hyundai Excel?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1989 Hyundai Excel even though the original fitment pattern is straightforward. Wheel changes, altered wheel width, suspension lowering, replacement springs, or bodywork differences can all influence how a 155/80R13 or 175/70R13 tire sits and clears the car.
That matters most on older cars that may have passed through several owners. An Excel with aftermarket wheels or non-stock suspension should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel dimensions before staying with the current size or switching between the two primary 13-inch tire options.
What should I inspect before driving a 1989 Hyundai Excel on new tires?
Before driving a 1989 Hyundai Excel on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the valve stems are sound, and make sure the tires were mounted in the proper size for the car’s current wheel setup. Lug hardware, alignment condition, and visible suspension wear also deserve attention.
A careful road-use check should also include tire pressure, bead seating, and clearance at full steering lock. On an older compact that may have sat for long periods, it is smart to look beyond the tires themselves and confirm that brakes, wheel bearings, and steering components are ready for regular driving.
How should tires on a collector 1989 Hyundai Excel be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1989 Hyundai Excel should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and protected from long storage in direct sunlight or near ozone-producing equipment. Low-mileage collector cars often age their tires by time and storage conditions rather than tread wear.
Periodic checks are especially important because a preserved late-1980s compact may sit more than it drives. Moving the car occasionally, keeping the wheels clean, and watching for changes in ride height or stance can help catch pressure loss or suspension issues early, before they create avoidable tire or handling problems.
