Hyundai Tiburon GT V6
The 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT was outfitted with a 2.7-liter V6 engine bragging 172 horsepower, and it was available with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 had its last production year in 2008 in the U.S., and its peppy V6 engine—especially when paired with a six-speed manual transmission—performed super smoothly. The Tiburon GT V6 only produces about 172 hp, but this little speedster is sure to satisfy driving enthusiasts because of how fun it is to drive.
Hyundai’s final crack at the Tiburon in the late naughts was a great, spirited little racer, designed for an enjoyable and hands-on driving experience. The short shifter was positioned perfectly for ultimate comfort and speed when shifting, allowing this thing to brake and accelerate out of corners with serious zip, especially with the V6 doing its work all the while.
Need to know if a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 could be the right little coupe for you? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6, and we’ll even take a look at other trims of that model year that were equipped with the 2.7-liter V6 engine.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase price: $5,754
Engine: 2.7-liter V6
Horsepower: 172 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 181 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
0 to 60: 7.3 seconds
With the 2008 GT V6, Hyundai took a speedy little affordable zoomer and transformed it into a powerful, responsive little beast. You’ll be able to find these beauties on the used market in six different colors, from Black Pearl to Regatta Blue. The 2008 GT features 16-inch alloy wheels, an available hatchback style, and, of course, the sassy 2.7-liter V6 engine.
Other standout features of the 2008 Tiburon GT V6 include:
- Optional tilt-and-slide sunroof: Everybody loves a sunroof, and this one sure does do the thing sunroofs do!
- Available with 5-speed or 6-speed manual, or automatic transmission: While the manual transmission is the name of the game for Tiburon enthusiasts, not everyone wants to be so involved. If you still want a fun, affordable little racer, but don’t want to deal with shifting gears, a four-speed automatic 2008 GT V6 will still deliver on the fun.
- A Kenwood stereo with six speakers and a timed rear-window defroster are also standard on any 2008 Tiburon with the V6 engine.
How’s the fuel economy?
As car technology has progressed, the one thing that pretty much any new car has over an older comparable model is fuel efficiency. The V6 doesn’t really help the 2008 Tiburon GT in this respect. You’ll lose about 3 or 4 mpg of fuel efficiency if you choose a Tiburon with the V6 compared to the base trim’s standard 2.0-liter inline-4 engine.
A base model 2008 Tiburon is powered by the four-cylinder engine and still only gets 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.
Which 2008 Hyundai Tiburon models have the V6?
The same V6 engine is fitted in the SE and GT Limited trims, and the standard inline-4 engine powers the slick GS. You can find GS models for well under $5,000 on the used market, but the GTs and SEs will usually go for slightly more. If you like an older vehicle that feels as modern as possible, the SE will likely suit your fancy the most, but it will of course cost you the most as well.
How fast is the 2008 Hyundai V6?
Even with the V6 engine, no 2008 Tiburon is going to break speed records. The GT can reach 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds, but the extra weight of the SE and GT Limited trims drags them down to 8 and 8.2 seconds respectively.
Still, that could be quite a bit faster than the majority of used vehicles in this price range. Let’s take a look at the 0-to-60 acceleration times for some models that were considered competitors of the Hyundai Tiburon in 2008 (and 2009):
- Chevrolet Cobalt SS: 5.5 seconds
- Ford Mustang:6.1 seconds
- Toyota Scion tC: 7.1 seconds
- Mazda RX-8: 7.0 seconds
So while the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 isn’t quite going to match up against the Ford Mustang from the same year, it does come awfully close, and at a much better price than the majority of the competitors listed above.
Key Takeaway The V6 engine gives the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT, GT Limited, and SE more power, greater speed, and improved ride quality—but it’s at the expense of some fuel economy, and it still won’t be able to match up against the top competition in its class.
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Which is better: The 2008 Tiburon GT or SE?
The GT and SE trims of the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon are quite alike, making the choice between the two difficult—although if you’re buying used and looking specifically for a V6, you may need to take what you can find. Both trims come standard with the V6 engine, as well as other features like heated and powered outside mirrors, tire pressure monitoring, and a fantastic ABS system.
But which 2008 Tiburon rocking a V6 is better? If sporty driving and top-quality features are your priority, the SE might be worth the extra effort and cash. If you manage to find an SE, you’ll likely pay a little extra to get track-tuned suspension and upgraded 17-inch alloy wheels.
On the other hand, if you’re going strictly for the best 0 to 60 acceleration time available, the extra weight of the SE will take a second off your time.
Ultimately, both trims are great little cars with many of the same advantages, and pros and cons to each. But if it’s all about the fun, the ideal would be to find an SE or a GT with a six-speed manual transmission.
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FAQs
Does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT come in V6?
Yes—every 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT was equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 engine, with a standard five-speed manual transmission and available four-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.
Are Hyundai Tiburon GTs reliable?
When it comes to used cars that are over a decade old now, not every option you find is going to be the most reliable, but these little Hyundais are still known for being incredibly reliable, and the V6 engine doesn’t change that.
Does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 have AWD?
No, AWD has never been offered on a Hyundai Tiburon.
Does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT come in V6?
Yes—every 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT was equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 engine, with a standard five-speed manual transmission and available four-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.
Are Hyundai Tiburon GTs reliable?
When it comes to used cars that are over a decade old now, not every option you find is going to be the most reliable, but these little Hyundais are still known for being incredibly reliable, and the V6 engine doesn’t change that.
Does the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 have AWD?
No, AWD has never been offered on a Hyundai Tiburon.
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