Hyundai has lined up the Lexus LS 460 in the crosshairs in addition to the Mercedes-Benz S550. On paper at least, the Equus is neck-and-neck with both of its main bogeys.
Its 4.6-liter Tau V-8, for example, is slightly more powerful than the LS and the S550 with 385 horsepower at your command, though it falls significantly short on torque, with just 333 pound-feet available. With a ZF six-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, Hyundai stakes a claim of less than 6.4 seconds to 60 mph, but that puts the big horse a full second behind its Japanese and German competition, despite the fact that all three cars report curb weights within 300 pounds of each other depending on trim. At least Hyundai can say it's kept up on the mileage, matching the LS 460's 16 mpg city and 19 mpg highway and besting the S550.
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As if often the case with luxury cars, though, the real measure comes in the handling department. These cars are expected to have dual personalities, excelling in both sporty and chauffeuring conditions. To that end, Hyundai has fitted the Equus with an Electronically-Controlled Air Suspension that's height-adjustable and backed up by electronically-adjusted dampers. Select "Sport" mode and the suspension firms up in anticipation of vigorous cornering. Switch back to "Normal" and the five-link front and rear suspension relaxes to absorb any pavement imperfections you may encounter. Near-perfect 52/48 weight distribution promises neutral and predictable handling, though we won't know for sure until we've had a chance to drive one.
Ride quality is just the beginning, though. A luxury car must feel luxurious from the moment you open the door. To achieve this, the Equus is decked out in leather with fine hides wrapping the seats and dash. Fine wood trim offers classy accents and an alcantara headliner finishes the soft, coddling package.
Of course, for any of that to win your dollar, Hyundai has to get you behind the wheel first. Here lies the Equus' biggest advantage -- a mid-$50,000 starting price that undercuts the Lexus by $10,000 and the Benz by a whopping $35,000. To further pique your interest, dealers selected to carry the Equus will offer special "Product Champions" to work exclusively on the Genesis and Equus who can bring the car to you for a test drive rather than dragging you into a dealer. If you do set foot in the dealer, you won't find the Equus sitting next to a bargain-basement Accent. The Genesis and Equus will sit in a special store-within-a-store section of the dealer by themselves.
On paper, the Hyundai Equus is every bit the luxury car its rivals are. At a steep discount compared to the competition, it's easily the most compelling offer...on paper. The $55,000 question, though, is how it will perform when pitted against them in a real-world comparison. We'll get you an answer on that as soon as we can get a harness on one.
By Scott Evans
It's a good ride. It has the proper equipment and modern style that you just got to love. Not to mention a very satisfying performance.