2006 Hyundai Tiburon Trims and Specs

This base model of the front-wheel drive sports coupe gets new standard 4-wheel ABS brakes and foglights this year, helping to maintain five-star crash ratings, and offering a well-loaded sports car at an affordable price. The 2006 Hyundai Tiburon GS is powered by a 2.0-liter, 138-hp DOHC I4 with variable valve timing and choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed shiftable automatic. Four-wheel independent suspension, electronic brakeforce, 4-wheel disc brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, and dual front and front-side airbags are all standard.

Inside the four-seater coupe, you'll find cloth sport seats up front and features such as power windows, locks, and mirrors, heated mirrors, a CD player, intermittent wipers, keyless entry, a tachometer, and a security system. Cupholders and a front power outlet provided unexpected convenience for a sports coupe, and there is a trunk light in the spacious 14.7 cubic foot trunk, which expands with the 50/50 split-folding seats. A rear spoiler is also included on the 2006 Tiburon GS. Cruise control and a sunroof are optional, and you can also add on larger 17-inch alloy wheels. Drivers say good things about road handling, trunk room, and the sleek Coke bottle styling of the Tiburon GS, but they do feel it's a bit underpowered with the I4, and rear head and legroom is too tight.

Not a turbo, but definitely packing more power than the base model, the 2006 Hyundai Tiburon GT is a front-wheel drive sports coupe with a 2.7-liter, 172-hp DOHC V6 that gets 181 lb-ft of torque and is coupled with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed shiftable automatic. It rides on larger 17-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires and adds a lot more features to the base model. Newly standard this year are ABS brakes, in addition to the dual front-side airbags, foglights, front and rear stabilizer bars, and a fully independent suspension. These help garner 4-star crash ratings to the 2006 Tiburon GT.

Building on the base model, the GT adds a trip computer, cruise control, automatic climate control, leather trim, and a larger rear spoiler. Other features include a full power setup, a CD player, intermittent wipers, remote entry, heated mirrors, and a security system. The coupe seats four, but the backseat is limited in leg and headroom. The trunk surprisingly holds 14.7 cubic feet. Cupholders, a front power outlet, and storage consoles add extra convenience. The 2006 Tiburon GT can be outfitted with leather seats, and other options include a sunroof and a CD changer. Drivers are happy with the handling, power, and eye-catching appearance, and like that it looks expensive, but isn't. The 19/26 mpg is also welcome. The small backseat and noticeable torque steer are the major complaints.

Adding a more upscale attitude to the regular GT, the 2006 Hyundai Tiburon GT Limited is a new trim this year and is basically a GT but with standard leather seats, sunroof, a 6-CD changer, and an upgraded audio system. Under the hood sits a 2.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 that delivers 172-hp and is matched to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed shiftable automatic. Riding on a fully independent suspension, the 2006 Tiburon GT Limited features 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, foglights, 17-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires, electronic brakeforce distribution, and dual front and front-side airbags.

The front-wheel drive coupe does exhibit some understeer, but owners love being behind the wheel and not paying a lot for a long list of equipment. Standard on the 2006 Tiburon GT are power features, cruise control, remote entry, automatic climate control, a trip computer, intermittent wipers, heated mirrors, leather trim, and a security system. Rear seats split-fold 50/50 and are more suitable in this position than to hold adults. A rear spoiler is also standard. Downsides for owners are the wide turning radius and small backseat, but they love the huge trunk, the decent 19/26 mpg, the upscale styling, and the V6 power.

The 2006 Hyundai Tiburon SE is the sporty high-end version of the front-wheel drive sports coupe, packed with all of the features that are options for the other trims. It uses the same 2.7-liter DOHC V6 that gets 172-hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, and sits on 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires. Only on the SE can you get a 6-speed manual transmission. Four-wheel disc and ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce, a fully independent suspension, foglights, and dual front and front-side airbags provide safety along with performance.

Along with a full power setup, cruise control, heated mirrors, remote entry, intermittent wipers, a trip computer, tilt steering wheel, and leather trim, the 2006 Tiburon SE adds aluminum pedals and an oversized rear spoiler -- bigger than the other trims offer. Other standard features include a sunroof, CD/MP3 player, upgraded audio system, and optional leather seats. There is also room for cupholders, a front power outlet, and storage consoles. Front bucket seats are sport-style, with extra bolstering, and the rear seats split-fold 50/50 onto the 14.7 cubic foot trunk. Drivers love the looks, power, and handling, though they do mention some understeer. The cramped backseat and 19/26 mpg disappoints many, but what do you expect from a sports coupe?