2011 Hyundai Equus: Another step in the right direction
Hyundai has its ambitions. Not just to become one of the top three automobile companies in the world, but also to make a name for itself in the luxury car category. The new Equus certainly seems to give some added credibility to the Korean manufacturer, which has improved by leaps and bounds in the last decade. Hyundai has finally shaken its image as the brand you resort to if you can’t afford much else. Indeed, the quality of Hyundai’s current line-up has been impressive.
With this achievement behind them, Hyundai management decided to go after the entry-level luxury vehicle market with the Genesis. This foray into new territory was nothing short of spectacular. The Genesis won the titles of North American Car of the Year and AJAC’s Car of the Year. With a smooth-running V8, great performances, driving pleasure and overall quality, specialists were impressed. This success prompted Hyundai management to offer North Americans its most prestigious sedan, the Equus.
The Equus’s arrival has been scheduled and re-scheduled on several occasions already, but each time it was determined that the vehicle was not ready yet. It’s expected that this model will gain a foothold on our continent, given that it is the most luxurious version of the Genesis, which has received its fair share of accolades. However, the Genesis’ platform has been elongated and modified for the Equus to better suit a high-end luxury sedan.
A plethora of gadgets
Some buyers judge luxury vehicles by the quality of their fit and finish, and the number of accessories and gadgets they have. And it must be said that the Equus scores well in both regards. In fact, the fit and finish on our test vehicle was impeccable, as were the seats and the quality of the wood accents – and, of course, the paint, which lacked any semblance to an orange peel. The vehicle also comes equipped with all the accessories you’d expect in this category, and then some!
Consider the Ultimate, the four-seater version. The back seat is like a luxury armchair with leg support, reclining seat back and a multiple-setting massage feature. To activate the leg rest, you press on a button on the console between the two back seats. This moves the front passenger seat and tilts it forward, thereby making the vehicle a three-seater. A very comfortable three-seater! Once you’re set up with living room-like comfort, you can enjoy a video on the screen located at the end of the central console. The rear passenger sitting on the left side may not get a leg-rest, but he or she can still watch the movie, while reclining and enjoying a massage. The Signature version is also well-equipped, but it’s a five-seater with a bench seat in back.
Naturally, the driver and front passenger have not been neglected either. They get comfortable bucket seats that you can adjust in an infinite number ways with buttons that indicate the main adjustment points. Just like in the back, the front seats are heated and cooled. And to meet the standards established by other luxury vehicles, several of the car’s settings can be controlled via a large button on the central console. The Equus, however, also has a unique gadget: a camera that captures everything happening around the front of the vehicle whenever it is stopped or moving very, very slowly. It goes without saying that it has a rear back-up camera too. As for the audio system, it’s a Lexicon, the same as what you find aboard Rolls Royces.
Comfort and more comfort
The Genesis made a name for itself as a car that’s pleasant to drive and offers a certain degree of agility. In the case of the Equus, the emphasis has been squarely placed on luxury and comfort. This car is targeting anyone who wants to be surrounded in luxury while driving in a silent vehicle featuring powerful but oh-so-smooth mechanics.
Finding a good driving position is easy thanks to the electrically adjustable steering wheel (height and depth are both adjustable). Plus, it’s heated. The 4.6-litre V8 does a superb job. Its 385 horses can do the traditional 0-100 km in 6.6 seconds, which is more than satisfactory for a car of this size and level of comfort. What’s more, its maximum speed is 238 km/h. The six-speed manumatic transmission is very smooth, though I wonder if any of the Equus’ potential buyers will ever use it in manual. But since it’s a matter of keeping up with the Jones, it’s offered.
When it comes to this vehicle’s road handling, its strengths include a comfortable suspension, terrific soundproofing and multiple electronic driver-assistance systems. That’s not to say that the suspension is marshmallowy and that the driver is completely unconnected with the road (à la the Lincolns of yesteryear). The suspension is sufficiently firm in regular mode, and the air suspension can be adjusted in Sport mode to give the driver a little more firmness. This setting is also supposed to adjust the assist of the steering, but if it does, the difference is not very noticeable. Ground clearance can be moved up about 12 cm with the touch of a button. Also, the steering is not overly assisted, but the electro-hydraulic power steering system makes it a little artificial.
In short, this sedan can handle just about any road just fine. AWD is not available.
This Korean car features a lane-departure warning system. However, it’s not on by default; you have to turn it on yourself, which is a good thing. Once activated, the driver seat belt tightens and a beep sounds every time you cross the white line. In all, the Hyundai Equus has all the musts of the category, and does an honourable job in terms of performance and road handling. Its silhouette is much like its road handling: just fine. The body design is sober, without any major visual irritants. There’s just the front grille that could spark some discussion.
Hyundai doesn’t have any short-term ambitions for this model. They’re happy to be getting their foot in the door for now, and they’ll see what happens after that. It certainly won’t be easy to rival competitors like the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Pricing has yet to be determined, but it should range between $65,000 and $72,000. Distribution will initially be limited to major cities, with only select dealers allowed to sell it. Call it “testing the waters.”