2007 Hyundai Tiburon TS Road Test
16 Jul, 2007
17 Comments 
2007 Hyundai Tiburon TS Road Test
With a starting price of $34,990, not only is it arguably the best looking two-door sports car (under 50k) but the Hyundai Tiburon also delivers unbeatable value for money!
CarAdvice rating: 
Test Model: 2007 Hyundai Tiburon TS six-speed manual
Recommended Retail Price: $37,590
Where it sits: The TS sits above the standard Tiburon. With a sunroof and black leather seats, it’s worth the extra $2,590.
- A bit of history
- How it goes
- How it handles
- Behind the wheel
- Interior comfort
- The look
- Safety features & Cost of owernship
A bit of history:
When I sat in a Hyundai Tiburon at the Brisbane Motorshow earlier this year, I quickly shrugged it off as just another car at the show, yes it looked good, and yes the leather seats, sunroof, and the interior felt good, but then again, it was just a Hyundai Tiburon! Why on earth would I want to buy that?
When the call came in to pick up the Tiburon for a week I quickly remembered my thoughts of the Tiburon back at the motorshow, “Yes its nice and all, but I wouldn’t buy one”. After all, a Hyundai sports car doesn’t exactly roll of the tongue.
As I drove towards Hyundai headquarters, I saw an older model Tiburon drive past me, it made me realize just how far the Tiburon has come in only 5 years.
Hyundai introduced the car to the Australian market back in early 2002. Initially priced from $36,000 for the 2.0-litre four cylinder (and $42,000 for the 2.7-litre V6) the Tiburon failed to make an impact and in 2003 Hyundai dropped the price by $6,000 for the 2.0-litre and $8,000 for the V6. Not exactly a winner as far as depreciation goes.
In 2004 Hyundai ditched the 2.0-liter altogether and after some more turbulence, the Tiburon has now finally come of age.
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July 17th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Im not sure about the Tiburon. Fair enough I havent driven it but those power figures are very poor, 123kw and 245Nm of torque out of a 2.7L engine. I know 14 year old 3L V6 Camrys had 140kw and 260Nm…. why cany a modern engine that should have the benefit of things such as VVT be able to exceed that! Not to mention you also have cars like the Accord Euro with a SMALLER engine yet 140kw and same torque.
My money would be on an Integra over the Tiburon. Reliability wise it would be superior and most of all they hande very well and crucially they have a powerplant to back it up, the Type R with 160kw is going to absolutely smash this car (sure its $8k or os more but worth it really when you consider that there is daylight between these vehicles) or even the regular Integra with 120kw would be better and no doubt faster. That again highlights how ordinary the Hyundai is, the same power out of a 2L engine…
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July 17th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Those are good points paul, but you don’t buy the Tiburon for raw performance, its more about looking good, then going fast.
Besides as far as I know Honda are no longer selling the Type S Integra? Although I agree with you that the Type S/R is one hell of a car, I still think the Tiburon is the better looking car, and with all the features you get standard, you really can’t beat the car price wise!
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July 17th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Hmmm perhaps, although personally knowing its lack of power whenever I see a Tiburon on the road its hard to look at it as a sports car or anything decent for that matter…. espcially when some people do them up with a wing etc! But if I didnt know this I suppose it does look good, I also know people who thought they were alot faster then they are because of their somewhat deceptive looks. Still Id get the Integra, a friend has the Luxury one for $40k and its prity decent all over, might not have quite the same features (although its got enough)… but its handling is great, power is good and the seats are very comfortable!
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July 17th, 2007 at 11:02 am
QUOTE = Besides as far as I know Honda are no longer selling the Type S Integra?
Hmm yeah actually now that you mention it I think your right… well then although its a slgihtly different car in terms of appearance the Civic Type R comes into play… same price, alot faster!
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July 17th, 2007 at 11:42 am
I am not convinced that Tiburon is pitched in the same market as Integra was. For some reason I don’t think that Integra buyers would even consider Tiburon and vice versa as they are in different market. Integra type R/S would be more in the hi performance market and the Tiburon is more of a hair dressers car (soft sports car). This is how I would percieve the two, but might not be the buyer’s point of view.
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July 17th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
At last the report for the Tiburon that I reminded you of some time ago. I’m so glad you have given it a good rap as it is one of the cars I’m considering buying. I’m in the older/female demographic (not a haidresser though) and I don’t want a very fast car. I want one that looks good but is reliable. I’m impressed.
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July 17th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Hmm Igor I think maybe people looking at Integras wouldnt look at a Tiburon but people looking at a Tiburon would at least have a look at an Integra… the Integra luxury after all is only $3k more, hasnt got an overly powerful engine and has luxury features. And afterall they are both coupes!
What I dont get is fair enough they might not be targeting performance enthusiasts, but its just that engine is so lame… even if they werent going for that market surely they could have given it something with RESPECTABLE specs for a 2.7L V6, because for that engine capacity 123kw is very poor (torque is about right).
But each unto their own, I personally wouldnt be interested in any way in this car (and Im sure its not targetting at my demographic either)
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July 18th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Paul, I just think that Integra’s have a similar ‘boy racer’ image like the WRX and most people don’t like that image.
People buying Tiburons like to own a car that looks like a sports car but but do not really care about the mechanics.
Personally I would always pick Integra over Tiburon but that’s because I don’t care that much about the looks but rather the mechanics of the car.
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August 29th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
So your saying that $3k-$8k wont buy you a turbo or super charger? If you really want performance and can’t go spending over $38k get a Tib with and throw a supercharger on it! I’ve watched video’s where people have beaten wrx sti’s with a supercharged tiburon. And seriously i got my 6 speed manual tib for like $33k that leaves you with another $7k to play with if you want to spend $40k on a car. I really dont see why you would buy an integra over a tiburon personally. My brother was actually really into integra’s until he went for a drive in my tiburon. Oh and chic’s love the tiburon much more than they like integra’s…my girlfriend and her friends love the thing!
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
A little late for this thread, but what the hell.
Your totally correct performance wise re the Tib, lacks grunt, but the low ration gearbox makes up for a lot of it. Does mean your constantly shifting in city traffic, and you have to work the car to get the best out of it, but hell, you can’t say it’s boring :)
Personally, I bought the tib as I loved the styling, and, there really arn’t that many around. Compare that with a WRX etc, and Commondoors, a dime a dozen.
I’ve gotten rid of the Hynudai logos ( steering wheel, wheel inserts, etc ), and waiting for my woodgrain dash, and short throw shifter. Next, my supercharger, and headers. For another $5,000 or so, thats pretty good value for a distintive car. And the sunroof - god I love my sunroof.
I could have gone the 6L V8 SS, very impressive, but with fuel costs going through the roof - well, bye bye.
All in all, it turns plenty of heads. No real complaints, like anything, has pluses and minuses.
Cheers
Lance
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
P.S. If anyone can recommend a performance centre in Sydney for the Tib - forever gratefull! :)
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December 21st, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Dont like it rather buy a secondhand monaro!
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January 7th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
The Tiburon is a joke. Enough said.
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January 7th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Let me guess IntegarTypeS you must like the Honda Integra!
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April 10th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Integra vs Tiburon.
Certainly Integra has more punch with its power figure but it looks uglier than Tiburon. And even on 0-100 performance, it’s not pulling away from Tiburon that much as depends on testers it’s showing similar performance figure on acceration. I would prefer Tiburon over Integra. If I want sports car, I would rather pay more money for 350Z or RX-8.
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May 27th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I have just bought a Tiburon 2008 model manual V6. It is fantastic, fun, well balanced and turns heads. It does not have the rev-head kid stigma either. I have taken it onto a skid pan this week and it listened better than the rear wheel drive V6’s that were out there. I could point it, steer it and when accelerating it pulled the car where it had to go - beautiful.
If this car was called a Honda or a Saab every one would have bought it - but then maybe not since the price would be 20% more.
I can fill up with unleaded 87/91 - no need for premium. Fuel consumption is 3 liters per 100km less than WRX that requires premium. Insurance was cheaper.
The gears are easy. Road noise - what road noise? Great sound system also makes listening to music in the quiet cabin a pleasure.
Thanks Hyundai you did a great job on this one. It feels like I am driving a car that costs more than this one did.
Don’t look at a Tiburon - Drive one and Own one!
Ciao
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August 7th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I am from the US and own a 2006 Hyundai Tiburon 2.0L. I payed $14,000 for the car (USD). The only other car in the same class is the Scion tC (Toyota’s youth brand) which would cost around $18,000 USD and not have the same sporty handling characteristics. Both of those compared to $25,000+ for a sporty car is a good deal for someone who doesn’t want to drive a boring car. I am also involved in modifying the car. Throwing on an intake system and exhaust system really improves the few shortcomings of the car, but doesn’t eat away at your finances.
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