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2007 Hyundai Tiburon Full Review
Date Published: 6/26/08
2007 Hyundai Tiburon Review
Styling changes lead 2007 news for Hyundai's sporty hatchback coupes. Tiburon comes in GS, GT, SE, and GT Limited models. The GS has a 138-hp 4-cyl engine, others a 172-hp V6. All but SE offer 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmissions. The SE comes only with a 6-speed manual, and for '07 gains standard traction/antiskid control, specially tuned sport suspension, and larger brakes as exclusive features. All Tiburons include ABS and front side airbags. Styling revisions involve the hood, front fenders, bumpers, and taillights. Leather upholstery is standard for GT Limited and SE.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. The Sporty/Performance Car class consists of two-seat roadsters, 4-cyl hatchbacks, and V8 muscle cars. Regardless of configuration, all have an emphasis on affordable performance.

Our Best Buys include the Mazda MX-5 and Scion tC. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Mustang, Mini Cooper, and Nissan 350Z.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z, and Saturn Sky.
News
The fully redesigned Tiburon expected for 2009 could be very different from the current model. Hyundai is apparently considering a rear-wheel drive car a la Infiniti's G35 coupe. However, sources caution this idea hasn't been green-lighted, and other proposals are surely being explored, so stay tuned. Earlier reports had the next new Tiburon as a spinoff of Hyundai's redesigned 2007 Elantra, with a hardtop-convertible joining the usual front-drive coupe. That may still be the plan, but only time will tell.
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2007 Hyundai Tiburon Road Test
Pros Cons
Steering/handling Rear-seat room
Entry/exit
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

GT, auto. SE Class Average
5 6 6.4

No 4-cyl models made available for test. V6s feel peppy with manual transmission--and lots of shifting. Test 6-speed SE clocked 7.7 sec 0-60 mph with firm, precise shift action. V6s feel lazy with automatic transmission; Hyundai says 8.2 sec 0-60. Automatic saps midrange punch, but manual shift gate compensates some.
Fuel Economy

GT, auto. SE Class Average
5 5 5.5

SEs averaged 15.7 mpg in tests with gas-eating acceleration runs, 22.1 in mixed city/highway work. Both engines use regular-grade fuel.
Ride Quality

GT, auto. SE Class Average
4 3 4

Large, sharp bumps register clearly, and rippled surfaces can induce nervous jiggle. But solid structure helps mitigate harshness, and even SE, with firmest suspension, is reasonably supple for a sporty coupe.
Steering/Handling/Braking

GT, auto. SE Class Average
7 7 8

Corners with good grip, modest body lean, mild front-drive noseplow. Steering a bit light except on SE, but quick, informative. Newly standard traction/antiskid system a plus for SE, but other models should offer it too. ABS brakes furnish quick, drama-free stops.
Quietness

GT, auto. SE Class Average
4 4 3

V6 intrudes under full power, coarse-surface tire thrum marked. Wind rush acceptable in gentle cruising, but excess buffeting discourages lowered windows even at modest speeds.
Controls

GT, auto. SE Class Average
6 6 5.5

Dashboard recalls sporty Audi TT design, has upscale blue night lighting. Gauges legible, if a tad small. Controls mostly simple, handy. Some drivers may find tilt steering wheel doesn't lift high enough for leg clearance. Good-looking cabin trim belies pricing, includes ample soft-touch surfaces.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

GT, auto. SE Class Average
4 4 5.1

Low-slung seats tax entry/exit, combine with shallow side windows for closed-in feel. But even six-footers should be comfortable once in, though sunroof limits head clearance. Rear visibility hampered by sloping roofline.
Room/Comfort (rear)

GT, auto. SE Class Average
1 1 1.1

No fit place for those over 5-ft-6, who may bang heads against the roof or rear window--as a sticker inside the hatch lid warns. Entry/exit very tight.
Cargo Room

GT, auto. SE Class Average
4 4 2.5

Hatchback design, standard split folding rear seat are practical, but available subwoofer steals cargo space. Small-item storage OK, but many rivals do better.
Value within Class

GT, auto. SE Class Average
4 5 6.2

It's not that quick or refined even with the V6, and the basic design is aging, but Tiburon is a solid, capable sporty coupe. Budget-friendly prices and Hyundai's long warranties make it a good alternative to the Scion tC or a high-line Honda Civic coupe.
Total Score

GT, auto. SE Class Average
44 45 47.3
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score
41
Average Score
47
High Score
57
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2007 Hyundai Tiburon Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 12/19/2006
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
GS 2-door hatchback, manual $16,595 $15,517 $600
GS 2-door hatchback, automatic $17,695 $16,545 $600
GT 2-door hatchback, manual $19,295 $17,848 $600
GT 2-door hatchback, automatic $20,395 $18,866 $600
GT Limited 2-door hatchback, manual $21,595 $19,976 $600
GT Limited 2-door hatchback, automatic $22,695 $20,933 $600
SE 2-door hatchback, manual $21,995 $20,126 $600
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
GS
Powertrain
2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, Kenwood AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital clock, tachometer, visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, rear defogger.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, rear spoiler, 205/55R16 tires, alloy wheels.
GT adds to GS:
Powertrain
2.7-liter V6 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Automatic climate control, interior air filter, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather/cloth upholstery, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
215/45R17 tires.
GT Limited adds to GT:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, driver-seat lumbar adjustment, power sunroof, Infinity AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer.
SE adds to GT:
Powertrain
6-speed manual transmission, traction control.
Safety
Brake assist, antiskid system.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, driver-seat lumbar adjustment.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sport suspension.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Premium Pkg.
GS
$1,150
$1,035
Cruise control, power sunroof.
Sun and Sound Pkg.
GT
$1,800
$1,620
Power sunroof, Infinity AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
SE
$900
$810
Floormats
GS, GT, GT Limited, SE
$85
$67
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Mud guards
GS, GT, GT Limited, SE
$85
$67
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2007 Hyundai Tiburon Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Hyundai Tiburon 2-door hatchback
Wheelbase, in. 99.6
Overall Length, in. 173.0
Overall Width, in. 69.3
Overall Height, in. 52.4
Curb Weight, lbs. 2898
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 14.8
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 14.5
Seating Capacity 4
Front Head Room, in. 38.0
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 43.1
Rear Head Room, in. 34.1
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 29.9
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 dohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 2.0 /121 2.7 /162
Horsepower @ rpm. 138 @ 6000 172 @ 6000
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 136 @ 4500 181 @ 3800
Availability Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
   
5-speed manual 23/31 19/27
6-speed manual --/-- 18/26
4-speed automatic 22/30 19/26
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Hyundai Tiburon 2-door hatchback
Front Impact, Driver 5
Front Impact, Passenger 4
Rollover Resistance 4
Side Impact, Driver 4
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 10/100,000 --
Bumper-to-bumper 5/60,000 --
Corrosion 7/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance 5/unlimited --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: South Korea
Drivewheels: front-wheel drive
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