The 2007 Hyundai Tiburon offers a sporty look and easy handling for under $40,000, but until now, Hyundai's sports car has never garnered much respect.
Over the years Hyundai has endowed the Tiburon with improved performance and styling, but until now had still been a step away from mainstream sports cars.
The first generation Tiburon, sold in Australia as the Hyundai S Coupe in 1990s, was an odd-looking four-cylinder coupe which Hyundai managed to make even worse with the ‘upgraded’ four-headlight front end. In 2002, a new model arrived with Hyundai changing its name to Tiburon.
In 2007, Hyundai has again upgraded the Tiburon. Instead of funky curves this new version has more mainstream look: lower profile headlights, revised taillights, chrome exhaust tips and reworked sheet metal. At last the 2007 Tiburon looks like an Asian sports car, with sleek lines and stronger consumer appeal.
Improvements on the ‘07 Tiburon should earn it some street cred. In Australia we have two model choices – the V6 and the limited edition TS. Both are V6 and available in six-speed manual or four-speed auto with sequential manual mode. The TS, with its vivid metallic blue paint, has all the features of the Tiburon V6 plus black leather sports seats, electric tilt/slide glass sunroof and unique carpet mats with ‘Vivid Blue’ edging.
The Tiburon is powered by a 2.7L V6 outputting 123kW. Our test vehicle was the six-speed manual and as a front wheel drive sports car the suspension and chassis react well to any surge of power, with next to no torque steer. The gear changes were smooth and precise and cornering a breeze thanks to the fork-spoked 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the leather seats with nice cloth inserts are comfortable and well bolstered, with lumbar and butt support. The seating position is low as you would expect with a sport car. But thanks to a swooping roof line, a six-foot driver will be close to hitting the roof of the car, especially with high hair. I should imagine a sun roof would further remove cabin space.
It's a similar story in the back. While leg space and width are acceptable, headspace is limited. The boot, though, is good, particularly with the back seats folded. Rear visibility is poor with a nasty blind spot behind C pillar. The instruments are backlit in cool blue. The speedometer is on the left and tacho on the right, with temperature and fuel between them, plus a digital display for the odometer and average speed. The gunmetal accents on the panels finish the sport look off nicely.
The freshened 2007 Hyundai Tiburon is a stylish four-seater. If you want a new sports car but don't want to spend a lot, the Tiburon is worth considering.
auto facts
Price $34,990 - $37,590
Engine 2.7L V6 petrol
Max power 123 kW@6000rpm; 245Nm@4000rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual; four-speed automatic
Good Great looks
Not so good Near useless back seat
by ANDREW KOCH
