The exterior of every Tiburon has been revised for 2005. The front end features a new grille and lower fascia, new headlamp and foglamp design. In addition the side garnish has been changed from the original gill design to a horizontal slot style. The side mirrors have been redesigned to improve aerodynamics and provide even better vision for the driver. There is also a new taillight treatment and new badging that reflects the three trim levels.
There are two V6-powered Tiburon models offered for 2005 - the GT and the SE.
The Hyundai Tiburon GT model is fitted with Hyundai's all-aluminum 2.7-liter V6 engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. The DOHC V6 engine is rated at 172 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm.
The Tiburon GT is fitted with the standard 5-speed manual transmission; the 4-speed Shiftronic automatic is available. All GT models are fitted with a rear decklid spoiler and 17-inch Michelin all-season tires mounted on handsome 17 x 7.0-in alloy wheels. In addition, the sporty GT is fitted with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped transmission gear selector knob and leather door inserts. New for 2005 is the efficient HVAC unit features air conditioning with automatic temperature control.
The GT is also fitted with new seats that feature leather bolsters with cloth inserts that help the driver stay in place while exploring Tiburon's performance envelope. Leather door inserts are also part of the interior upgrade for model year 2005. All of the trim is highlighted with contrasting red stitching on the seats, door inserts and the leather-wrapped steering wheel for high performance styling.
The Tiburon GT is fitted with an AM/FM/CD/cassette sound system with six speakers. However, Tiburon buyers who want even higher fidelity can take their choice of two available sound systems: a 360-watt Infinity AM/FM/CD/cassette sound system with six speakers and a subwoofer; or a 440-watt Infinity AM/FM/6-disc CD changer/cassette with six speakers and a subwoofer.
The Hyundai Tiburon SE is the sportiest Tiburon. It is fitted with the 2.7-liter DOHC V6 engine matched to the smooth-shifting six-speed manual transmission. Drivers who demand the best and love the "snick-snick" sound and precise feel of a precision 6-speed transmission will appreciate the transmission fitted to the Tiburon SE.
The SE also comes with a high rear deck spoiler, sport red front brake calipers, ABS, fog lights, aluminum pedals, manual air conditioning, Kenwood AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, and an auxiliary instrumentation unit with torque meter, fuel consumption gauge and voltmeter.
The exterior of every Tiburon for 2005 is updated with a new grille, new lower fascia with new fog lamp design, new headlamps, new side view mirrors that are slightly larger to provide a larger viewing area, new horizontal-design side trim, new rear tail lamps, new badging, new SE and GT seat cloth with leather bolsters and contrasting red stitching. Optional GT leather seating features black leather seating surfaces with contrasting red stitching.
Large, low profile high-performance tires mounted on alloy wheels fill the wheelwells, and give the Tiburon an aggressive stance, while both the windshield angle and the backlight angle are steeply raked. Those features, combined with the vehicle's high beltline and "chopped" greenhouse, make the Tiburon look fast even when it's parked.
The previous version of the Tiburon was built on the same platform as the Elantra, but the current Tiburon has its own chassis, dubbed the GK. The platform features a slightly longer wheelbase (99.6-in. vs. 97.4-in.) and is slightly longer (173-in. vs. 170.9-in) than the previous version. As a result, there is more room inside for the driver and passengers -- and the extra room provides extra comfort. Headroom, legroom and shoulder room have all been increased to make the Tiburon even more comfortable.
The Tiburon chassis is also stiffer and more refined than the previous generation. A front subframe was added for improved strength and revised, third-generation hydraulic engine mounts help isolate engine vibration from the cabin.
The Tiburon features independent suspension both front and rear. In front, MacPherson struts are used with offset coil springs, gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. The anti-roll bar mounted directly to the strut for more efficient operation. At the rear the Tiburon is fitted with a strut-type multi-link rear suspension, gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar.
From the start, each generation of Tiburon has provided the driver and front seat passenger with a comfortable cockpit environment from which to enjoy the driving experience. The 2005 Tiburon carries on this tradition of driving control and comfort with a spacious, ergonomic cockpit and the protection of driver and passenger front and side impact air bags.
The seating position is designed with the driver in mind. The seats offer ample side support for enthusiastic driving, but also allow for easy entry and exit. The controls are intuitive; in the place the driver expects them to be and easy to use. The instrument panel features two large, easy-to-read analog gauges with the speedometer and tachometer placed directly in front of the driver. Leather seating surfaces are optional on the Tiburon GT.
The Tiburon SE is fitted with the 2.7-liter V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission, red front brake calipers, ABS, manual air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel and transmission shift lever, high rear decklid spoiler, aluminum pedals, cruise control, fog lights, Kenwood AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers and subwoofer and special instrumentation package with voltmeter, torque meter and fuel consumption gauge, leather door inserts and metal-grain interior trim.
The Tiburon carries a full complement of safety features, starting with the car's strong unibody construction, integrated crumple zones, high-strength steel side impact beams and front and rear five-mile per hour energy absorbing bumpers. Driver and passenger front and seat-mounted side impact airbags are standard.
Tiburon buyers also benefit from the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty that includes 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection and 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage as well. In addition, Tiburon buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance at no extra charge for five full years (no mileage limit). The warranty also includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. Anti-perforation is provided for five years or 100,000 miles. There is no deductible on any of these coverages.
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Based loosely on the same platform as the compact Elantra front-drive sedan, the Tiburon has a 3.1-inch-shorter wheelbase (down to 99.6 inches) and is 4.1-inches-shorter overall (at 173 inches) than that car. Like the Elantra, the Tiburon keeps its nose in the air with a MacPherson strut front suspension while the hind end stays up with struts in an independent system. But the essence of the Tiburon isn't what it shares with the Elantra, but where it differs.
Anyone who hasn't driven a Hyundai in five years will be startled at how much the interior materials have improved, how satisfying almost everything is to the touch and how logical the ergonomics are, even though the cockpit as a whole feels a half-generation behind Toyota or Honda.
With 177 pound-feet of torque available at just 4,000 rpm, driving the Tiburon GT V6 is quite different from piloting high-strung fours like the RSX Type-S or Celica GT-S. The character of this V6 isn't particularly sporting or eager, but it's confident, composed and produces a sweet note from the dual exhaust. It's easy to break the optional P215/45R17 Michelin tires loose on launch, but torque steer wasn't particularly apparent in our initial drive. Down a straight road, the Tib's ride is composed and quiet over most surfaces. It's in corners where the Tiburon's limitations become apparent. With the weight of the V6 on its nose, and rather slow, numb rack-and-pinion steering, the Tib's front wants to plow furrows like a Farmall. The four-wheel disc brakes (ABS optional) can be used to balance the chassis somewhat, but the athleticism of the RSX or Celica just isn't there.
Our expectation is that the rising tide of Hyundai quality is lifting the resale of all its models and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Having a V6 gives the Hyundai a unique character. It's smooth, refined, and makes great sounds, but the engine was really designed for sedans and SUVs, and that original intent shows in its powerband. After a brief surge of torque, output plummets. Taking it to redline is pointless. Thankfully, the six-speed gearbox has well-spaced ratios that make short shifting worthwhile. While the displacement argument is a strong one, having a V6 is not necessarily an advantage in this market. Modifying a V6 is much more expensive than a four. Want to change cams? You'll need four. A header? Two. Plugs, wires, injectors? You'll need six of each.
Despite the weight, the Tiburon is loaded with promise. The suspension is very firmly damped, seemingly a rear anti-roll bar away from being brilliant. In stock form, however, understeer is relentless, with the front tires carrying nearly all the handling burden.