2011 Hyundai Equus Reviews

Hyundai Equus

Now, with the 2011 Hyundai Equus bound for the U.S. on display at this year's New York show, Hyundai appears to be setting out to accomplish what Lexus did 20 years ago, only this time around, Lexus finds itself a target.

Hyundai has lined up the Lexus LS 460 in the crosshairs in addition to the Mercedes-Benz S550.
It's worth noting that the Hyundai Equus is not a clean-sheet design. The Equus in most cases offers as much or more interior space than either the Benz or the Lexus, comparable power, high-tech suspension and all the requisite luxury features.

The 2011 Hyundai Equus is all-new.
The result is the 2011 Equus, a large, $60,000 premium sedan that will no doubt raise a few eyebrows from both consumers and rival car companies alike.

The 2011 Hyundai Equus looks to do the same, offering far more space and equipment than other competing luxury sedans. Standard Equus features like a massaging driver seat, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and a 17-speaker surround-sound audio system are usually options on even high-end luxury cars. Hyundai even plans to supply Equus owners with an Apple iPad as a standard feature, which will function as a sort of interactive owner's manual and maintenance minder.

Even with this minor demerit, the 2011 Hyundai Equus is a genuine competitor to other luxury sedans, both midsize cars like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class and flagships like the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class. The 2011 Equus is a large luxury sedan available in Signature and Ultimate trim levels. The Equus Ultimate seats four, as the rear bench seat is replaced with a pair of reclining bucket seats with heating/cooling/massaging functions and a passenger-side power footrest. This rear-wheel-drive car is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. In Edmunds performance testing, the Equus went from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which is slower than other V8-powered luxury sedans. According to Hyundai estimates, the Equus will achieve 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined.

The 2011 Hyundai Equus comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock brakes, electronic seatbelt pre-tensionless, active front head restraints, a lane-departure warning system, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a driver-side knee airbag, front and rear side airbags, and side curtain airbags. If you're wondering whether a value-oriented brand like Hyundai can produce a luxury car, the cabin of the Equus will put your mind at ease.

The Hyundai Equus is a unique option for buyers looking for a luxury large car with ample space and tech features. As Hyundai’s flagship sedan, most reviewers tend to compare the Equus to super luxury cars such as the Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Safety-minded shoppers willing to give up a little interior space and gain a slightly sportier ride would do well to check out the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Starting at right under $49,500, the E-class – like the DTS – is significantly cheaper than the Equus when you compare base models. However, the Equus’ long list of standard features once again narrows the gap for shoppers looking to compare similarly equipped models.

Hyundai Equus: The Details
If you want to simplify the buying process, the 2011 Equus may well be the car for you. Hyundai will sell an Equus without shoppers ever needing to set foot on a dealer lot. Additionally, all service can be scheduled through the iPad that comes standard with each new Equus.

Also unique to the Hyundai Equus is the complete lack of any options, although two trim levels are available. At $58,000 the Signature trim provides virtually every comfort and convenience feature imaginable. Both front and rear seats are heated, while the front seats also offer ventilation, and a driver’s seat massage feature. If the interior features of the Signature-trimmed Equus aren’t as decadent as you’d like, Hyundai will gladly try to gain your interest with the $64,500 Ultimate trim, where the rear seat accommodations get even more opulent. Ultimate models also gain ventilated rear seats and a front-view camera, which eases parking and narrow city street maneuvers.