These days, almost every Hyundai review starts with a small blurb on how bad Hyundai cars used to be, and "now look at how far they have come". Although Hyundai's sales have improved dramatically over the years because of this quantum leap in quality (coupled with an excellent warranty), there are still many skeptics...

For those of you who don't read the literature or still think "Hyundai" to be synonymous with "junk", wake up - because Hyundai is for real this time. No other car is better evidence of this than the 2003 Tiburon.


EXTERIOR: 9
I know that I gave the older Tib high marks for looks, but this Tiburon suddenly makes it look "toyish" by comparison. The curves are smoother and not quite so exaggerated. Performance Michelins add to the sporty nature of this car. Yet it is important to point out that this car has a touch of class added to this sportiness... leaps and bounds more refined than the previous model, which was pretty much a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing. It's more than just inoffensive, though. It really looks handsome and well put-together from every angle. More importantly, it looks more expensive than it really is. In my opinion, it's one of the best looking sports coupes in this price segment... not too edgy like Toyota's Celica and not understated like the Acura RSX. She's a looker, this one.

To see a picture of the 2003 Tiburon (for some reason Epinions doesn't have it), check out this link:
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/images/showroom/04TiburonMain_02.jpg

INTERIOR: 8
My rating of the previous generation Tiburon was a "7", so you can tell they've made some progress. Most notable in improvements is quality of materials. Not only do they look good (the wannabe Audi TT brushed aluminum look is gone), but they also feel good. Almost everything feels substantial in this car. The dash is clean and functional, though I would have preferred to see the radio controls placed higher. Overall it's an attractive layout, albeit a bit dark. The full instrumentation analog gauges are appealing with their red orange glow and brushed aluminum rims.

The seats, just like those on the previous Tiburon, are extremely comfortable and supportive, though they seem to sit pretty low to the floor. The climate control system worked great. Down here in San Antonio, it's getting chilly by Texan standards, but the Tiburon was up to the task of keeping things warm.

I hope I may regress a little in describing the sound system, because it rocks! What a wild surprise. The 360-watt Infinity system really fills the small cabin with awesome sound. The interface is very easy to use, with a large volume knob. Preset EQ settings for Jazz, Classic, Rock, and bass/treble controls allow you to tailor the sound to your liking. Number of speakers total seven, including a - are you sitting down? - eight inch subwoofer found in the trunk. Bass was clear, as were all ranges. This system bests those found on cars costing thousands more. A true gem.

As for room, yeah, it's cramped. I felt more cramped than when I drove the Acura RSX Type-S, but only marginally so. Rear seat room is definitely cramped. Kids, cargo, or contortionists only.


ENGINE: 7
The 181 hp V6 produces 177 lb-ft of torque. It doesn't produce neck-snapping acceleration, which is unfortunate considering other offerings in this class feel substantially more spunky. However, the Tiburon is no slouch, making 0-60 in less than 8 seconds. Peak horsepower is had at lofty revs (6,000 rpm), so you'll need to stomp the gas some more to get extra power when needed. Fortunately, the Tiburon's peak torque can be had at a respectable 4,000 rpm.

The 6-speed manual gearbox was a welcome addition, though I wonder why six gears are needed other than for show in this case. Be that as it may, ratios are nicely spaced and shifts were very smooth with short throws. The clutch is very user-friendly, and brought to mind the one I had on my 1984 Honda Prelude. The shifter itself was pleasantly light, too. A smart flick of the wrist was all I needed to snick through the gears.


HANDLING: 7
In everyday driving situations, the Tiburon handles acceptably. Body roll is well-tempered, with balanced steering. However, a couple of jabs at the wheel, and you'll reveal the touring rather than sporting nature of this car. Being a front-driver and pretty hefty, the Tiburon displayed some noticeable torque steer and flex when I forced some emergency maneuvers going about 35 mph. The tires also complained, and the body leaned more than it should. In the parking lot, the steering felt a bit heavy, but nothing too troublesome. Otherwise, it was pretty accurate and feedback was just right. The turning radius is pleasantly small.

In all, the 2003 Tiburon can tolerate some spirited driving, but it lacks the sure-footedness and agility found in its competitors, such as the Toyota Celica Acura RSX Type S.


RIDE: 7
As can be expected for a sports coupe, you have a hyperacute awareness of everything on the road: irregularities in the road make themselves felt, and ribbed highway surfaces communicate themselves into the cabin. Problem is, the Tiburon does this a little too well. It's not near as offensive as the Toyota Celica (no offense to those owners), but this sort if ride can get tiring if you're not expecting it. Despite all of this, you don't feel that the car is being rattled apart. The ride is still solid and refined. The engine isn't as loud as (once again) the Celica's, but lets out a sonorous growl when punched or while cruising at high speeds.


RELIABILITY: ??
Unknown. It's a new car, so I'd give it until next year to buy one if you can. Once again, I must add that Hyundai is producing cars that are quantum leap improvements in quality compared to their older cars. Hyundais have consistently been average or above average in reliability ratings. In addition, Hyundai provides you with one of the most comprehensive warranty plans that rivals even luxury cars. Other companies have tried to imitate it, but none have quite provided the coverage that this one does.

My car seemed solidly built. Even over nasty bumps on Wurzbach road (San Antonians know what I'm talking about), no rattles were audible.

UPDATE! (2/4/03)
One recall has been issued. The left lower instrument panel bracket was not installed, increasing the likelihood of major injury during a crash. This applies to Tiburons made before March 2002.


SAFETY: ??
Crash tests are not available yet. I'll keep you updated.

Standard equipment includes front airbags. That's it. Side airbags and ABS are optional, and you can only get them if you upgrade to the $1,800 "UltraSports Package 3" (which also gives you a sunroof). Why this is the case is beyond me. The car being as affordable as it is, I can't complain too loudly. However, I still think ABS should be standard equipment.


VALUE: 10
No question about it... the Hyundai Tiburon is a steal. For under $20K, you can get a well put-together sports car, complete with leather, sunroof, ABS, the awesome Infinity 7 speaker sound system, aluminum pedals, rear spoiler, 6-speed manual (or manumatic if you so choose), and an outstanding warranty, to name a few. In my opinion, this car undercuts all of the competition on price by a substantial margin. If you don't believe me, see for yourself: a Top Reviewer in this section named mkaresh did an excellent price comparison in his review of the Tiburon. I encourage you to check it out.


VERDICT: A GREAT TOURING COUPE, A STRONG VALUE.
This Tiburon narrowly missed five stars. It just doesn't provide the kind of performance that I would want. However, that's just my preference, and the Tiburon is undeniably Hyundai's best yet. It's sleek and sexy on the outside, and comfy on the inside (just not in the back seat). While not as athletic as the Acura RSX Type S or Toyota Celica, it compares very favorably to other touring coupes such as the Mitsubishi Eclipse or Dodge Stratus coupe. If you're looking for a handsome sports car that is well-appointed for much less money than the competition, and you don't consider razor-sharp handling and neck-snapping acceleration that important, then the Tiburon is a very sound choice.

AVERAGE SCORE: 8 out of 10
VARA'S PERSONAL RATING: 8.5 out of 10

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Hyundai's website:
http://www.hyundaiusa.com

Edmunds.com Road Test:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/roadtest/65301/article.html

Amount Paid (US$): Test
Model and Options: GT 6-speed manual