2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 Published 09/30/2004

I've heard it said that the third time is a charm. This charming sports coupe from Hyundai represents the third generation Tiburon and this time they have produced a real competitor. The 2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT evokes styling cues from classic sport coupes like the Ford Mustang with the short rear deck, crisp lines and the backwards "C" cut in the side.

I posed the photo of the 2004 Tiburon GT V6 in front of a real stock car from my friends at the RACING EXPERIENCE because even though the 170 horsepower V6 is more than adequate, it looks even faster. While this is no race car, it is fun to drive. The 2.7 Liter V6 engine is well worth the extra $1,200 over the standard 131 horsepower 4-cylinder, especially if you choose the 4 speed automatic transmission over the 5 speed manual. The automatic transmission includes a Shiftronic function allowing you to manually select gears or let the automatic do all the work. Driving the Tiburon GT with the V6 and automatic proved to be a very satisfying experience but 3,041 pounds keeps this car from performing as fast as it looks. However, 181 lb.-ft of torque does provide plenty of "off the line" acceleration.

Ride and handling was superb due to fully independent 4-wheel suspension. MacPherson front struts are up front with coil springs. Independent Multi-link suspension in the rear with coil springs provides excellent ride and control. Stabilizer bars are included in both front and rear as are four-wheel disc brakes.

While the base Tiburon has a starting MSRP of less than $17,000, my fully equipped V6 GT with automatic was priced under $25,000, bringing me to point of why anyone looking for a sexy two door sport coupe would buy the 2004 Hyundai Tiburon. This is simply a great bargain! Add the "fun-factor" of the styling into the equation and the third time is a charm for Hyundai.

My absolutely loaded test vehicle had only two options in addition to the standard automatic transmission GT package. A sunroof is always welcome and the 360-watt Infinity Stereo with 6-speakers and subwoofer was awesome. A cassette player is even included along with the CD player. Everything else is surprisingly standard for this value priced economy car.

Exterior features included dual chrome tipped exhaust, 17" Alloy sport wheels shod with P215/45 Michelin tires, fog lamps and a really sporty spoiler for the rear deck. Inside I found the orange backlit gauges to be unique but pleasing and the large easy to operate controls were presented in a very functional and logical fashion. The rear seat is small and better suited for packages and small children than adults. The hatchback style lift gate makes it easy to load even the largest packages

There was a day in which I would work on my own vehicle and I became quite the shade tree mechanic. But that was before the days of fuel injection, computer modules and veritable valve timing. Now I won't touch a vehicle with mechanical problems. So without the education, equipment and skill necessary to fix problems, I place a high value on the manufactures warranty. The standard Hyundai warranty is 5 years and 60,000 miles, far longer than most 3/36 warranties. In addition, Hyundai covers the powertrain with a limited 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty. The buyer of a new Hyundai even gets roadside assistance for 5 years regardless of how many miles traveled.

The 2004 Tiburon GT V6 is a complete package of sporty looks, full feature content, muscular power and one of the best warranties in the business. It is part of the reason that Hyundai has become one of the fastest growing automobile companies in the United States. Last year 640 U.S. dealers sold over 400,000 Hyundai vehicles thanks in part to the 62% increase in quality since 1998 as measured by the J. D. Power Initial Quality Report. This newfound emphasis on quality along with great looks and features helped to make this third generation Tiburon charming enough to be a strong contender for anyone buying a compact sport coupe.

2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6
Front Wheel Drive
Compact Sport Coupe

$19,099 Base MSRP
$20,448 Price as driven

2.7 L V-6 Engine
4 Speed Automatic Transmission

20/26 EPA MPG

Additional Web only Information and Resources

For Additional Reviews: