The 1990 Hyundai Excel belongs to the wave of compact imports that brought simple, economical front-wheel-drive transportation to a wide range of drivers. Its appeal today is often tied to originality, light weight, and the straightforward character of an early Hyundai subcompact. Tire fitment centers on two 13-inch radial sizes, 155/80R13 and 175/70R13, so the real question is not whether the Excel uses old bias-ply sizing, but which of these modern metric radials matches the car’s present wheel setup. Available choices range from blackwall to narrow whitewall and wide whitewall styles, making it possible to balance everyday road use, vintage presentation, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1990 Hyundai Excel
The 1990 Hyundai Excel uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial tires built for a 13-inch rim. Because Base, GL, and GLS models can be found with either size, the first step is confirming which wheels are actually on the car before choosing a tire. After that, the decision shifts to profile, sidewall appearance, brand, and the type of road use the car will see.
155/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 155 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1990 Hyundai Excel, this size suits the car’s compact, economy-focused fitment and keeps the selection in a familiar modern radial format. Available choices include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options rather than only blackwall styling. This size makes sense for an owner who wants a traditional small-car radial with several appearance-oriented choices on a 13-inch wheel.
175/70R13 is also a metric radial, with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 13-inch rim diameter. For the 1990 Hyundai Excel, it represents a second primary fitment in the same wheel diameter, so the key difference is the tire’s sizing profile rather than a change to a different wheel. In this size, the available option is an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall, giving the buyer a more focused performance-oriented product choice. This size deserves a close look when the car already wears the corresponding 13-inch wheel and the owner wants to stay with that established fitment.
Tire fitment for the 1990 Hyundai Excel stays relatively straightforward because Base, GL, and GLS models can all use the same two radial sizes. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, but confirming the wheel and the tire already on the car is the more important step before choosing a replacement.
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1990 Hyundai Excel Base
The 1990 Hyundai Excel Base can use either 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, both in radial construction on 13-inch wheels. That means tire selection comes down to confirming the car’s current wheel and size, then choosing the sidewall style and product character that best suits the car.
The 1990 Hyundai Excel GL shares the same general fitment path, with 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 both applicable in radial construction. Once the mounted size and wheel are verified, the buyer can focus on whether a whitewall, blackwall, or a particular tire series better matches the intended use.
The 1990 Hyundai Excel GLS also uses the same pair of 13-inch radial tire sizes, so fitment is not separated by a unique GLS-only tire specification. The practical task is making sure the car’s actual wheel and current tire size are confirmed before selecting among the available radial options.
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 1990 Hyundai Excel Tires for Sale
Available 1990 Hyundai Excel tires cover two distinct buying paths: 155/80R13 choices from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel with narrow or wide whitewall styling, and a 175/70R13 Avon CR6ZZ blackwall option. Construction stays radial throughout, while rim-width specifications and sidewall presentation vary by product.
Common 1990 Hyundai Excel tire questions usually come down to identifying the right 13-inch size, understanding how 155/80R13 differs from 175/70R13, and choosing between available radial products, sidewall styles, and maintenance checks before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1990 Hyundai Excel?
A 1990 Hyundai Excel uses one of two primary tire sizes: 155/80R13 or 175/70R13. Both are radial tire sizes designed for a 13-inch rim, and both appear across the Excel range, including Base, GL, and GLS models.
That means the right choice depends less on trim name alone and more on confirming the actual wheel and tire setup on the car. Checking the current sidewall marking and wheel diameter before ordering helps avoid choosing the wrong profile, even though both sizes share the same basic 13-inch rim diameter.
What size rim does a 1990 Hyundai Excel use?
The 1990 Hyundai Excel uses a 13-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes. Whether the car is fitted with 155/80R13 or 175/70R13, the wheel diameter remains the same at 13 inches.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it still helps to confirm wheel width before selecting a specific tire. Some products in these sizes are intended for different rim-width ranges, and that can affect which tire is the better match for the wheel already mounted on the car.
Do all 1990 Hyundai Excel sub-models use the same tire size?
Base, GL, and GLS versions of the 1990 Hyundai Excel can all use the same two tire sizes: 155/80R13 and 175/70R13. In other words, sub-model fitment is shared rather than split into a different size for each trim.
Even with that overlap, it is still important to verify what is actually on the car before buying tires. A surviving Excel may have had wheels changed over time, and selecting between the two proper sizes is easiest when the current tire marking and wheel dimensions are checked first.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 155/80R13 tire for a 1990 Hyundai Excel?
Start with the fact that 155/80R13 is a primary radial size for the 1990 Hyundai Excel and has the broadest product variety. Choices in this size include Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, and Tornel, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments available depending on the tire series.
Once the size is confirmed, compare the tire’s intended look and the wheel it will be mounted on. Some 155/80R13 products are built for slightly different rim-width ranges, so an owner deciding between a traditional whitewall presentation and a more understated look should also make sure the wheel matches the tire’s specification.
What sidewall styles are available for 1990 Hyundai Excel tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1990 Hyundai Excel include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall depending on the tire size and product selected. The 155/80R13 options cover the whitewall choices, while the available 175/70R13 Avon CR6ZZ is a blackwall radial.
That gives the Excel owner a meaningful appearance decision even within correct-fitment sizes. A whitewall can give the car a more restoration-oriented or period-style presentation, while blackwall keeps the look simpler and more understated, so the best choice depends on how original-looking or how purposeful the finished car should appear.
What brands offer tires for the 1990 Hyundai Excel?
Tires for the 1990 Hyundai Excel are available from Travelstar, BFGoodrich, Maxxis, Tornel, and Avon. Most of the brand variety appears in 155/80R13, while 175/70R13 is represented by the Avon CR6ZZ.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It makes more sense to compare the exact size on the car, the sidewall style you want, the tire series that suits the vehicle’s character, and the wheel-width specification before narrowing the choice to a particular product.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1990 Hyundai Excel?
A period-style 1990 Hyundai Excel usually starts with choosing the correct mounted size first, then selecting the sidewall treatment that matches the car’s intended presentation. In 155/80R13, whitewall options are available from several brands, while 175/70R13 is offered as a blackwall Avon CR6ZZ.
That means appearance can change noticeably even when staying within proper Excel fitment. Owners aiming for a restored or preserved small-car look often prefer a whitewall presentation, while a blackwall can keep the car visually simple, so the better choice depends on whether the goal is showroom-inspired style or a more restrained roadgoing look.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1990 Hyundai Excel restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters because tire size, profile, and sidewall style all affect how a 1990 Hyundai Excel sits and reads visually. Even on a modest compact car, moving away from the proper 13-inch radial fitment can change the overall stance and make the car look less settled.
For a restoration-oriented project, the best approach is to confirm which of the two primary sizes belongs on the car as currently equipped, then choose the sidewall style that supports the look you want. Exact originality questions are best checked against marque-specific references, especially when presentation matters as much as drivability.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1990 Hyundai Excel?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1990 Hyundai Excel even though the original fitment is straightforward. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered suspension height, or body and fender work can all influence which of the two correct 13-inch tire sizes works best on the car.
A modified Excel should be checked for more than sidewall clearance at a standstill. Turning clearance, suspension travel, and the wheel’s actual dimensions all matter, so it is wise to confirm the existing setup before selecting between 155/80R13 and 175/70R13 or changing to a different tire within those fitment paths.
What should I inspect before driving a 1990 Hyundai Excel on new tires?
Before driving a 1990 Hyundai Excel on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, make sure the installed tire size matches the car’s actual setup, and confirm that the tires are properly seated and inflated. It also helps to check basic alignment-related wear on the old tires before the new set goes into service.
A short visual inspection around the car can prevent larger issues on the road. Look for rubbing at full steering lock, verify that the suspension and steering components are in sound condition, and recheck pressure after initial use so the new tires start their service life under stable, predictable conditions.
How should tires on a collector 1990 Hyundai Excel be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1990 Hyundai Excel should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition as much as tread depth. Low-use cars can still develop cracking, flat spotting, air loss, or sidewall deterioration even when the miles accumulated each year remain modest.
Storage conditions also matter for a preserved Excel. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires, and occasional movement can reduce the chance of prolonged flat-spotting, especially on a vehicle that spends long periods parked between shows, weekend drives, or seasonal use.
