Hyundai Tiburon

Name: 2002 Hyundai Tiburon
Brand: Hyundai

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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First Take

A redesigned Tiburon recently bowed as an early 2003 model. The new coupe offers a bit more interior space than its predecessor, but head room is meager, and the rear seat is very cramped. The cockpit is now more conventional and has a higher-quality feel. The top-of-the-line GT model offers a six-speed manual transmission with a fairly precise shifter. The GT's 2.7-liter, 181-hp V6 is smooth and refined but not extraordinarily powerful. Base models continue to use a 2.0-liter, 140-hp Four. Handling is fairly nimble, and the ride is stiff but tolerable.

2002 Sports cars & Convertibles Reliability

No Data Available

Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Worse Better

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

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Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2002 Sports cars 4/5-seat Ratings

2002 Hyundai Tiburon

$ NA

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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See All Sports cars 4/5-seat Ratings

Seating

2 front, 2 rear

Drive Wheels

Front

Warranty

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

coupe

5-speed Manual
4-speed Automatic

2-liter 4 (138 hp)

Model History

2003-

Current Generation

Though it's based on the pedestrian Elantra sedan, the Tiburon is fun to drive, with crisp handling, responsive steering, and lively acceleration. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine lacks refinement, however, and the shifting is a bit sloppy. As is typical for a sporty coupe the rear seat is tight and headroom is limited. The 2003 redesign brought a powerful V6 GT. The engine is smooth and refined, but not eager to rev. The base models continued with the four-cylinder. The car feels nose-heavy, and the handling is not very involving for a sporty coupe.

1997-2002

1997 Redesign Year

The Tiburon was introduced in 1997, filling a void in Hyundai's lineup created by the departure of the Scoupe two years earlier. Even though it's based on the pedestrian Elantra sedan, the Tiburon is fun to drive, with crisp handling, responsive steering, and lively acceleration. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine lacks refinement, however, and the shifting is a bit sloppy. As is typical of a small sporty coupe, the ride can be noisy and the rear seat is tight. The front seats are reasonably well shaped, but very firm and mounted low. There is little head room. For 2000, the Tiburon received freshened exterior styling and some new interior details.