2005 HYUNDAI TIBURON NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon?
There are a host of changes for the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon, including a new GS designation for the base model and a new performance version dubbed the SE. All Tiburons get a revised skin with new nose and tail treatments.

Advantages of the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon:

• Standard side-impact airbags
• Ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
• Impressive grip with optional 17-inch wheels and tires
• Knockoff Italian exotic car styling
• Bargain price tag

Objections to the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon:

• Underpowered standard engine
• Excessive curb weight takes the edge off of the handling
• Cheap interior bits and pieces
• Uninhabitable rear seat

Editor's Advice:
Appearing to be more expensive than it is, but handling less capably than it looks, the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon is a study of automotive compromise. Because of its rather portly 3,000-pound average curb weight, the racy-looking Tiburon is somewhat of a slug with its standard four-cylinder engine, and even more so when saddled with the optional four-speed automatic. For sporty driving, it's better to select the GT or SE for the 2.7-liter six-cylinder motor, which sounds more intimidating than it is. We'd also advise checking the SE option box if you want all the boy-racer gadgets. Considering that the Hyundai Tiburon SE starts under $20,000 and hardly cracks the $22,000 barrier when fully equipped, it seems like Hyundai is providing plenty of bang-for-the-buck with this model. Add in the standard ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and real value is found. Just don't cross-shop the pudgy Hyundai Tiburon with the light and lithe Acura RSX or the cheap but cool Scion tC. Rather, the Tiburon competes on equal footing with cars such as the Ford Mustang V6 and Mitsubishi Eclipse.