2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT Test Drive

2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT

With a 172 hp V-6 up front, a taut 4-wheel independent suspension, and a no-nonsense fully-spec'd interior, Hyundai's Tiburon GT coupe means business. And it's got plenty of style to match. Price in the US starts at a very competitive $18,199. Warranty: 5 year, 50,000 mi. bumper-to-bumper; 10 year/100,000 mi. powertrain.

First Glance

What could be more pleasant on a warm summer's day than driving down shaded country lanes in a racy-looking sports coupe, with John Lennon's Strawberry Fields as mood-setter? That's how I began my test of the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT and it's the way I ended it, too, except that Lennon's music wasn't on the radio and I found myself waiting for a parade of beautiful vintage and classic automobiles, out for a club cruise, to pass by. As I stared at the owners in admiration and envy (I do dig vintage cars), they stared back at me, curious about this sleek black beauty which they couldn't quite put a name to. Nor, it seemed, could anyone else, for the car attracted admiring yet quizzical glances wherever I went. Actually our test vehicle is owned by a friend who was so eager to have me review his Tiburon that he was willing to sacrifice it for a week and take his chances with these cynical critiques. (Too late now, Ralph!) A Dutchman of good humor, he gets such a kick out of watching confused onlookers doing walkarounds that he had the dealer remove all external identification except for one mysterious logo on the trunk. No, Ralph doesn't give out prizes for the best guess.

In the Driver's Seat

Unfortunately the Tiburon's styling follows a trend to high waistlines and narrow windows. The Audi TT is one example, so's the Chrysler 300. This may look racy but it leads to a claustrophobic environment and when combined with the Tiburon's high cowl and low seating, poor sightlines. An all-black interior doesn't help, though for 2004 Hyundai added aluminum pedals which, with the faux-titanium trim currently in vogue, breaks the monotony. But what were they thinking of with those instruments? Seven dials altogether, four up front, three in the console, none of them large enough to be read at a glance. Sorry to say this, but warning lights would have sufficed. The GT's seats follow best driving practise, well-bolstered to keep driver and passenger in place. Adjustment, though comprehensive, is manual. To be honest, I found the seats too firm but maybe that's my advancing years talking. The rear seat is meant only for kids and that's okay; the Tiburon is a 2+2, not a family hack. If we gave awards for sunroofs, however, I'd rate the Tuburon's a 10-out-of-10, for this is one of the very few that can be opened without interior buffeting or annoying drafts, regardless of whether the windows are open or closed.

On the Road

With 172 hp and 181 lbs. ft. of torque, the GT's sweet-sounding V-6 doesn't disappoint. Acceleration from rest and passing power are both more than adequate for fun driving. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the GT's power-to-weight ratio is right on the cusp for front-wheel-drive sports coupes. Torque-steer is evident the moment one floors the gas pedal and continues as the car leaps forward; the Tiburon should come with a warning sign advising drivers to "keep both hands on the wheel and pay attention." Come to think of it, so should the competition. The 5-speed manual (6-speed is an option with the GT) is fitted with superbly-matched ratios that keep engine revs in the sweet spot; unfortunately it lacks the slick smoothness of even a Honda Civic. Changing gears requires effort, as does the steering which, though moderately quick, needs muscle. In all, I'd say this is a car with a heavy feel to the controls, like a 1950's sports car. But also, like a 50's sports car, it can be hustled through the curves, using a combination of understeer and induced oversteer for perfect control. The price, then and now, is a firm ride that's just fine on smooth asphalt but disturbing when the terrain gets rough.

Journey's End

Forgive me if I seem condescending, but the owner of this 2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT perfectly reflects one half of its target market. Ralph is a good-looking guy in his late 50's, a former 707 pilot who likes to maintain a youthful image. He lives by a mountain lake reached by an endlessly-curving road. Each day he leaves home at 5:00 AM to start baking at his Sidney, BC, coffee shop, 45-minutes to the south. Roughly half his trip is on winding roads, the rest on a 4-lane highway. At that hour he has the roads to himself. The drive in the Tiburon is pure joy. And should he need to load up the trunk with supplies for the shop, the hatch-type trunk and 50/50 split-folding rear seat offers plenty of space. He loves his Tiburon. So, for different reasons, will the 25-35 year-old Hyundai hopes to captivate. Ralph's buddy (me) struggled to get in and out of the tight cockpit, could barely reach the opened trunk lid, worked harder than he liked to drive this car at its limits. Before you buy a Tiburon, decide on your priorities: if appearance and driving fun, regardless of effort or discomfort, is your goal, here's your car. Be comforted by that generous warranty.