The winding roads of Marin County may be the inspiration for this affordable sports coupe, and the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon does handle curves easily and with good road grip. Though a coupe, it seats four relatively comfortably. After some exterior redesigns last year to its front and rear fascias and dual exhaust tips, the Tiburon remains virtually unchanged for 2008. New this year is a satellite radio option, with a free three-month trial.

The front-wheel-drive 2008 Tiburon comes in three increasingly sporty trims. The base GS is the only one with the underpowered 2.0-liter, 138-hp inline four and 16-inch wheels. The GT, GT Limited, and sport-tuned SE get going with a 3.7-liter DOHC V6 that delivers 172 hp, and all three use larger 17-inch tires. A 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual are the transmission choices on all trims but the SE, which comes only with a 6-speed manual. ABS brakes, dual front-side airbags, a CD/MP3 player, and full power features are standard across the line. Although all feature a rear spoiler, the size and location differs with each model. The GT adds cruise control, while the GT Limited offers leather seats and a sunroof.

The SE features a European sport suspension along with bigger brakes, sport seats with leather bolsters, aluminum pedals, and both stability and traction control. Unlike many sport coupes, the trunk is actually fairly spacious, holding up to 15 cubic feet, and the rear seats split-fold. The previous year's updates have turned the 2008 Tiburon into a sleeker, sexier coupe, with more chrome trim and steeper angles for the front and rear windows. Though it's not quite a power competitor to the Mitsubishi Eclipse, owners still find it fun and responsive to drive. And its long list of standard features, typical Hyundai warranty, and sticker price make it a viable option. Major complaints point out the low-powered inline-four engine and excessive road noise with the SE.