2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6

Introduced for the 1997 model year, Hyundai's Tiburon has struggled ever since to establish a market presence to match its elevated visual profile. With the all-new 2003 iteration, this front-drive 2+2 coupe may finally come into its own. For openers, the package has been improved in just about every way possible. Rounding out the deal, pricing remains in the same affordable vein that's become a Hyundai hallmark. Slightly larger inside and out, the Tiburon now offers a V-6 engine and 6-speed manual gearbox to sweeten the mix as well as revised styling that finally takes it out of the pointlessly quirky category.

While the basic shape and proportioning carry over, the character lines are less contrived and the detailing considerably less finicky.

Even with its new sheetmetal, no one will accuse the Tiburon of fading into the background. While the basic shape and proportioning carry over, the character lines are less contrived and the detailing considerably less finicky. That being said, there's remains a level of "surface excitement" that's clearly meant to have its maximum appeal to the boy-racer set, a buyer group the Korean automaker makes no bones about aggressively trying to court.


Inside, this overtly sporty Hyundai continues the youth-will-be-served visual motif in a more tasteful manner, counterpointing a basic black theme with satin-aluminum accents. Seats are firm and well-bolstered and the main controls and switchgear are positioned for easy use. Our biggest gripe was with Tiburon's instrument markings. Done in light gray-on-charcoal, they leave a bit to be desired in the legibility department. The only other caveat involves this subcompact coupe's modestly scaled, split/folding rear seat. Although the Tiburon gained an extra 2.2 inches of wheelbase, the rear quarters remain viable digs only for small-fries or particularly offensive in-laws.

Inside, this overtly sporty Hyundai continues the youth-will-be-served visual motif in a more tasteful manner, counterpointing a basic black theme with satin-aluminum accents.

Standard equipment abounds even in the base Tiburon, which now starts at $15,999 plus $495 in destination. Air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, keyless remote entry, alarm system, tilt steering column, AM/FM/CD stereo with a suitably oversized subwoofer mounted in the rear cargo bay, cruise control, front rear washers/wipers, floor mats and front/front-side airbags are just the highlights. The GT V6 commands another $2,000, but brings leather upholstery in addition to the more potent powertrain. Opt for the $250 UltraSports Package 1, sole option with which our tester was fitted, and the interior reverts back to a fabric spec. However, you do get a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission in place of the normal 5-speed unit, rear spoiler and aluminum-clad gas/brake/clutch pedals.


In base form, the Tiburon is powered by Hyundai's 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 that makes 140 horses and 133 lb.-ft. of torque. It can be matched with either a standard 5-speed manual transmission that's been revised to deliver smoother shifting action or a 4-speed automatic with Shiftronic manual cog-changing capability. The big news is the arrival of a 2.7-liter twincam V-6, which also is used in the Sonata and Santa Fe. Rated at 181 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of twist, this free-revving upgrade engine can be matched with either of the two aforementioned transmissions or the new, 6-speed manual gearbox, as it was in our tester. Given that the Tiburon's generational transition has added nearly 400 pounds to the package, any extra clout is a seriously welcome addition. Even with this maximum performance package, acceleration is still best categorized as refreshingly brisk rather than totally overwhelming.