At one time, it was the answer to a question no one dared to ask. 'When will Hyundai offer a full-size luxury sedan competing head on with the BMW 7-Series and Lexus LS 460?'
After all, South Korea's largest automaker solidified a solid foothold in the highly competitive U.S. auto market with entry-type, front-wheel-drive offerings priced nearby or slightly below most worthy competitors.
As Hyundai grows and matures as an automaker, it's diversifying a bit from its mass market approach and targeting niche segments.; When Genesis arrived in the 2009 model year, it signaled the company's foray into performance-oriented rear-wheel drive.; The larger Equus, debuting two years later, targets the one percenters (or those seemingly close by) of luxury shoppers eager for comfort.; Equus sales in 2012 settled in near 4,000 units in the U.S., well below the mid-size Sonata's tally of nearly 230,000, but representing many new conquest buyers into the Hyundai family. ;
Kudos to Hyundai for selecting a name containing vowels and consonants rather than an all-too-forgettable conglomeration of alpha-numeric mixes.; Merriam-Webster defines Equus as, 'a genus of the family Equidae that comprises horses, zebras and related recent and extinct mammals.' The signature Equus logo resembles a winged avian, although if one's mind drifts long enough, an equine-inspired Pegasus could be interpreted.
The sole engine, a powerful 5.0-liter, 429 horsepower V-8 is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission.; This horsepower output outshines the Lexus LS 460 with 386 horses and comes tantalizingly close to the BMW 7-Series V-8 turbo (445 horses).; Equus offers rear-wheel drive exclusively.; Most rivals include all-wheel-drive as an option. Hyundai's powerful 5.0-liter V-8 is one of two powertrains offered in Genesis.
With fuel estimates at 15 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, it's the least fuel efficient vehicle in the Hyundai lineup, but on par with most full-size rear-drive rivals. While premium fuel is recommended for optimal output, regular, 87-octane fuel is accepted.
The 2014 Equus brings along several mid-cycle additions. Suspension gets tweaked including a new 'snow' selection, important in Chicagoland's torrid winter season.; This new option joins returning sport and normal modes, all selectable from buttons near the floor-mounted automatic transmission.
Hyundai smartly simplifies purchasing decisions with two well-equipped trim levels (Signature and Ultimate) and no factory options.; Other longer-tenured luxury nameplate could take a page from this 'keep it simple' execution. Selecting from three different interior color combinations and four exterior color choices are the major queries needing answers.
Our Signature tester included a $61,000 starting price with a $61,920 bottom line, the difference being the $920 destination charge. The Ultimate trim tips the scale at $68,000. A rear-drive 2014 Lexus LS 460 starts at $72,140 while the lowest priced V-8-powered 2014 BMW 7-Series checks in above $88,000.
The Ultimate trim includes all standard features found in Signature while adding a heads-up front windshield display, power side window sunshades, power closing trunk lid, dual screen rear entertainment system and cooled rear seats.
At a healthy 203 inches in length, Equus measures three inches longer than the Lexus LS 460 sedan, although LS offers an optional 'extended trim' adding five inches to the regular-length trim.; Leg room in front and especially in back is plentiful, as is headroom. The Equus ride experience tilts towards the luxury handling, not an intense sport variety.
Hyundai benefitted greatly over the years from its 10-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty not only with customer peace-of-mind, but with feedback gleaned from those shoppers. From that information pool, Hyundai created the Equus 'At Your Service' program.; During the first three years or 36,000 miles, all maintenance is fully covered by Hyundai. Equus vehicles may even be picked up at the driver's home or office and extended a complimentary loaner vehicle. Hyundai's Bluelink telematics system, with 30 safety, service and infotainment services, is also added in the 2014 edition.
Other updates include a redesigned instrument panel with two large circular analog gauges flanked by small quarter-sized dials in the lower outside corners. In between is a pleasant, graphic-friendly information tutorial area. The redesigned center console includes a large four-color info screen with rear-view backup feed camera feed and GPS map.
Audio controls and band selections run through the screen, but also via circular dashboard knobs and push buttons below. A large, silver control circle/knob between the front bucket seats is used to select highlighted items.;; Smartly, ventilation controls operates separately from the screen with two narrow rows of push-buttons flanked by dual zone knobs below the bla-inch remote touch screen. The two rows of ventilation push buttons surround a small, elegant analog clock breaking the button monotony.
The straight across, well-padded, black dashboard includes fine stitching, lacking a multi-curved approach found in Hyundai's compact Elantra sedan. The heated, three-spoke steering wheel also gets an update with additional thumb scroll opportunities. The push-button start button resides to the right of the column.
The arm/rest storage bin between the front buckets has two vertical side-by-side doors each opening outwardly either together or separately unveiling the storage area with two additional 12-volt outlets.; The lower center dash includes a pocket area with USP and iPod ports for portable electronics. A retractable cover cloaks the small, deeply recessed area and does not conflict with the nearby perpendicular top concealing the in-line beverage holders.
The opulent second row easily accommodates three riders even with the vertical floor hump. If only two are ticket in row deuce, take advantage of the fold-down arm rest with audio controls.
During its launch in the 2010 calendar year, one notable visual was strangely absent from the elegant front grille; Hyundai's own corporate logo. Many in the automotive press speculated an intentional omission, since history has validated visual uncertainty plays into the marketing hands of the value leader (case in point, Ford Motor Co.'s mid 1970's Granada taking playful, yet intentional aim at the Mercedes Benz 280).; Hyundai's logo is visible on the rear trunk lid, but that's about it. The winged Equus logo resides on the hood above the twin-port grille, the steering wheel hub and exterior wheels. ;
In the past few years, Hyundai's higher volume offerings have incorporated a dare-to-be-different long, light and low "Fluidic Sculpture Architecture."; Hyundai choose a much more conservative exterior template for the full-size Equus, bypassing the flowing touch points for the time being. In fact, Equus keenly resembles the Lexus Flagship LS 460 sedan more than any high-volume Hyundai family sibling, and that's probably not by accident; seems as if the LS served as a worthy benchmark from the beginning.
A new visual exterior nuance for 2014 includes 19-inch multi-spoke, turbine-blade-like alloy wheels.; Chrome framing surrounds side windows while thin chrome trim adorns side door bottoms. Strap-like door handles add some flair, as do dual exhaust tips.
Does Equus measure up to a Lexus LS 460 on every level?; No. But, Equus comes tantalizingly close on multiple plains on a vehicle that had a 20 year head start.; It's a stretch to imagine BMW 7-Series or LS 460 owners jumping ship in favor of a Hyundai-badged sedan; a stretch, but not unthinkable especially if $15,000 in savings is a heavily weighted factor. Equus is better served as an aspirational, move-up vehicle for those who have grown up with and grown to enjoy benefits of Hyundai ownership.
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2014 Hyundai Equus sedan
Price as tested:; $61,920
Wheelbase:; 119.9 inches
Length:;; 203.1 inches
Width: 74.4 inches
Engine:; 5.0-liter V-8
Horsepower:; 429
Curb weight:; 4,605 pounds
Powertrain warranty:; 10 year/100,000-miles
City/Highway economy:;; 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway
Assembly:; Ulsan, South Korea