A softly sculpted front end sports modern, clear-lensed, multi-component headlights, an upright grill, and a smoothly integrated, monochromatic bumper with nicely frenched foglamps. The side view offers a modestly crisp belt line blending into a rear deck bookmarked by gently rounded shoulders. The boot proffers the only clear Hyundai indicia: taillights reminiscent of the Sonata and a bold, almost-assertive, horizontal chrome strip beneath the trademark Hyundai logo. The XG300 emblem on the rear and XG logos on the wheels are the only other markings, further adding to the car's elegance.

The glass house balances openness with structure. Triangulated A-pillars adequately support the roof but avoid blinding a driver to vehicles turning left at an intersection. High-ceilinged side and rear windows facilitate assessing surrounding traffic flows with an eye for the occasional, but psychically essential, darting lane change. Outside door handles are very well-designed: attractive, comfortable, and easy to grab.

A close and careful visual examination unearths hints of the Infiniti Q45, the Lincoln LS and even the Jaguar S-Type. There's a bit more shoulder in the rear quarters than on any of those. The front end, though, could fool all but the most discerning viewer. That there's no obvious Hyundai logo helps.

In fact, when shown to focus groups prior to its public introduction, the XG300 bested the Oldsmobile Intrigue and the Nissan Maxima and gave the upscale Acura TL a run for the money on the appeal scale, until, that is, the Hyundai logo was affixed. When that happened, the focus groups deep-sixed the XG300. The only reason for this is Hyundai's reputation as the maker of the first disposable car. The Excel is ancient history, but perceptions aren't changed as quickly as quality controls, and improvements in engineering and design. The XG300 is the future, and the future looks bright for Hyundai, at least in terms of product.