A fastback-inspired sports coupe for the average consumer that won't leave your wallet out to dry, the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon gets exterior updates and new trim designations this year. The front-wheel drive coupe is now available as a base GS, with a 2.0-liter, 138-hp I4 engine and choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed shiftable automatic. The GT is a holdover from last year, with a 2.7-liter, 172-hp V6 and the same transmission choices. The SE option package form last year is now a trim, with the same V6 engine and a new 6-speed manual with a new shifter knob.

All trims comes with the full power setup, dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, and dual exhaust pipes. All have a rear spoiler, which grows as you move from the GS through the GT into the SE. Wheels also get larger, with 16-inch for the GT and 17-inch for the SE. On the outside, the 2005 Hyundai Tiburon is much sleeker, with a sharply sloped windshield and roofline leading to a high back end. New front and rear lamps, a new grille, new mirrors and foglights, and a flashy horizontal body-length indent, and three gills behind the front wheels make the Tiburon look more expensive than it is. Though the interior is tight, especially in the back, the rear seats do split-fold 50/50, opening onto a spacious 14.7 cubic foot trunk.

The 2006 Tiburon earns four and five-star crash ratings, but ABS is only optional with the GT and SE, and traction control is not offered. Leather seats are an option on the GT, which already comes with leather trim, and the SE steps up the features with an MP3 player and aluminum pedals. Drivers are amazed at how much you get at an affordable price, and say the Tiburon is fun to drive, with smooth handling and an eye-catching new appearance. Some downsides include the fuel economy, though it's about normal for a sports coupe. Drivers also dislike the understeer, the lack of rear leg and headroom, and the tendency for road noise.