Hyundai Tiburon

Hyundai Tiburon: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Hyundai Tiburon in this catalogue is a FWD Coupe offered across two generations and their restylings from November 1996 through September 2009. Choosing one is mainly a question of priorities: the 1.6 MT is the least powerful option at 105–114 hp, the 1.8 MT offers 130 hp, the 2.0 MT combines 136–143 hp with stronger economy figures than the V6 versions, and the 2.7 MT reaches 167–173 hp.

The Hyundai Tiburon in this catalogue is a FWD Coupe offered across two generations and their restylings from November 1996 through September 2009. Choosing one is mainly a question of priorities: the 1.6 MT is the least powerful option at 105–114 hp, the 1.8 MT offers 130 hp, the 2.0 MT combines 136–143 hp with stronger economy figures than the V6 versions, and the 2.7 MT reaches 167–173 hp. Buyers wanting maximum recorded performance should focus on the 173 hp 2.7 MT, while those comparing fuel use should start with the restyled 143 hp 2.0 MT.

Hyundai Tiburon generations: what changed?

The first generation ran from November 1996 to February 1999 as a Coupe with six versions. Its range comprised 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT versions with 114 hp, 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT versions with 130 hp, and 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT versions with 139 hp. Every version was Gasoline-powered and FWD. Manual cars used a 5-speed Manual gearbox, while automatic cars used a 4-speed Automatic.

The first-generation restyling ran from March 1999 to February 2001, again as a Coupe with six versions. The same version names and outputs remained: 114 hp for the 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT, 130 hp for the 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT, and 139 hp for the 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT. The recorded mechanical specifications therefore do not identify a power increase over the preceding first-generation versions with matching names.

The second generation ran from November 2002 to February 2005 as a Coupe with seven versions. Its entry 1.6 MT produced 105 hp, while the 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT produced 136 hp. The major change was the addition of 2.7 MT and 2.7 AT V-shaped six-cylinder versions. Depending on specification, these produced either 167 or 173 hp. The 2.7 MT used a 6-speed Manual, whereas the 2.7 AT used a 4-speed Automatic.

The second-generation restyling ran from March 2005 to September 2009 as a Coupe with six versions. The 1.6 MT was no longer listed. The 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT increased to 143 hp, a gain of 7 hp over the equivalent 136 hp pre-restyling versions. The 2.7 MT and 2.7 AT remained available in 167 hp and 173 hp specifications.

Hyundai Tiburon engine specs and version comparison

All listed engines use Gasoline, distributed multi-point injection and no boost. The table distinguishes repeated names by power and production period.

The power-per-litre comparison is close among the strongest four-cylinder engines. The 114 hp 1.6 delivers about 71.3 hp per litre, the 130 hp 1.8 about 72.4 hp per litre, and the first-generation 139 hp 2.0 about 70.4 hp per litre. The restyled second-generation 143 hp 2.0 reaches about 72.4 hp per litre. The 167 hp 2.7 produces about 62.9 hp per litre, while the 173 hp 2.7 produces about 65.1 hp per litre. The V6 advantage is instead clearest in torque: 245 Nm versus 186 Nm for the restyled 2.0, a difference of 59 Nm.

Hyundai Tiburon performance and fuel economy

The performance case for the 2.7 MT is straightforward. In the second generation, either 167 hp or 173 hp specification reaches 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, while the 173 hp version raises top speed from 220 to 233 km/h. Compared with the restyled 143 hp 2.0 MT, the 173 hp 2.7 MT adds 30 hp, cuts the recorded acceleration time by 1.0 second and increases top speed by 24 km/h. Its combined consumption is 2.4 L/100 km higher.

For an automatic, the restyled 143 hp 2.0 AT records 10.4 seconds, 200 km/h and 8.5 L/100 km combined. The 173 hp 2.7 AT records 8.5 seconds, 218 km/h and 10.3 L/100 km combined. That means 30 extra hp, acceleration improved by 1.9 seconds, an 18 km/h higher top speed and 1.8 L/100 km more combined consumption.

Hyundai Tiburon dimensions, weight and practical specs

Exterior length, overall dimensions, wheel sizes and weight distribution are not measured for any listed version. Ground clearance is 150 mm throughout the catalogue data.

The first-generation manual versions with recorded kerb weights range from 1240 kg for the 1.6 MT and 1.8 MT to 1250 kg for the 2.0 MT. Gross weight is 1600 kg across all first-generation versions. Tank capacity is not measured.

For the pre-restyling second generation, the 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT weigh 1265 kg. The 167 hp 2.7 MT and 2.7 AT weigh 1308 kg, with a gross weight of 1740 kg. The 173 hp 2.7 MT and 2.7 AT weigh 1335 kg; gross weight is not measured. Every version has a 55 L tank, while wheel sizes are not measured.

In the restyled second generation, the 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT weigh 1280 kg. The 167 hp 2.7 MT and 2.7 AT weigh 1328 kg and have a gross weight of 1760 kg. The 173 hp 2.7 MT and 2.7 AT weigh 1335 kg; gross weight is not measured. Tank capacity and wheel sizes are not measured for all restyled versions.

Weight per horsepower helps separate the choices. The restyled 2.0 MT has about 9.0 kg per hp, the 167 hp restyled 2.7 MT about 8.0 kg per hp, and the 173 hp restyled 2.7 MT about 7.7 kg per hp. The 173 hp version therefore has the strongest power-to-weight relationship among these directly recorded second-generation manual specifications.

Reliability, problems and buying limits

Reliability ratings, failure records, service history, engine-swap compatibility, engine mounts, engine-bay clearance and body-kit compatibility are not measured in the supplied data. Price and for-sale information are also not measured. These subjects cannot be used to rank the versions here; condition, maintenance history and asking price require separate evidence for an individual car.

Which Hyundai Tiburon version should you buy?

For the best recorded balance, choose the March 2005–September 2009 2.0 MT. It has 143 hp and 186 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds, has a 209 km/h top speed and records 8.0 L/100 km combined. Against the 2.0 AT from the same period, it accelerates 1.2 seconds quicker, is 9 km/h faster and uses 0.5 L/100 km less combined.

For maximum performance, choose the 173 hp 2.7 MT from either second-generation period. Its 8.2-second acceleration and 233 km/h top speed are the strongest recorded combination. The pre-restyling and restyled versions also share the same 1335 kg kerb weight and 10.4 L/100 km combined consumption, so the supplied figures do not establish a numerical performance or economy advantage for either period.

For a V6 with the lowest recorded combined consumption, choose the restyled 167 hp 2.7 MT. It records 9.9 L/100 km combined, versus 10.4 L/100 km for the 173 hp 2.7 MT. Both reach 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, but the 167 hp version tops out at 220 km/h rather than 233 km/h.

For an automatic focused on economy, choose the restyled 143 hp 2.0 AT. Its combined consumption of 8.5 L/100 km is 1.8 L/100 km below either 173 hp 2.7 AT. For an automatic focused on acceleration, the 2.7 AT is the better numerical match: the 167 hp restyled version records 8.2 seconds, while the 173 hp version records 8.5 seconds.

The first-generation 2.0 MT remains the strongest numerically documented early choice. With 139 hp, 8.6-second acceleration and a 201 km/h top speed, it is 2.2 seconds quicker than the 1.6 MT and 11 km/h faster than the 1.8 MT. Its 9.0 L/100 km combined figure is 0.7 L/100 km above the 1.6 MT but 0.3 L/100 km below the 1.8 MT. On the available measurements, it offers the clearest performance case within the first generation.