Hyundai Stellar – South Korea is moving up with caution

Many of the cars that once graced the cover of Autovisie are now completely erased from our collective memory. Like this, because when was the last time you saw a Hyundai Stellar? Or even think about it?

Hyundai Star

Now Hyundai’s second generation wasn’t a head turner for its time, but looked at wisely it wasn’t a bad deal. A very competitively priced, large mid-size car with proven technology and plenty of standard equipment. These low prices were possible because no import duties were imposed on goods from South Korea, which was still a developing country at the time. It is obvious that you cannot expect the latest technology.

The super cute looking star stands on the unchanged Ford Taunus/Cortina base. It is a legacy from the time when Hyundai assembled this model in its home country. The bodywork, like a small pony, was designed by Giugiaro, but it seems too big for the chassis. Rear wheel drive, solid rear axle and double wishbone up front, is a feast for the eyes for Ford lovers. Hyundai’s British importer is cleverly responding to this by appealing to conservative Ford customers who don’t like the modern Sierra. The infamous ad showing the Sierra depicted as a jelly pudding with the angular Stellar bottom that is being touted as the true successor to the Cortina is raising a few eyebrows.

It’s not a crazy idea, because that first Stellar runs like a Taunus. Same good manners, comfortable handling, somewhat noisy ride and also the same bad crosswind feel. A no-nonsense ride for the undemanding driver, which the Koreans would get away with.

The biggest difference with the Taunus is under the hood, where there are 1.4- and 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines from Mitsubishi, which Hyundai has been building under license for years. After the facelift, two liters from the same family will also follow, which will receive visual modifications in the form of heavy bumpers and other lighting units. In addition, the front suspension will be changed to the McPherson principle and the brakes will receive the necessary improvement. For the past two model years, Hyundai has been selling the more luxurious Stellar in the domestic market as the Sonata. That name will be transferred to Stellar’s successor, the eighth generation that is still being built today.

Offers and prices

We can say briefly about this: there is no distribution. There are only a handful of Stellars left in the Netherlands, most of which do not drive. The major online search engines in Europe all reject the request. Unfortunately, we know that a two-liter white was sold for a grand or two for a while, but that too has disappeared into oblivion. Old Hyundais don’t have much value for enthusiasts, that’s for sure.

Dutch people buy old cars in droves, this model in particular