Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate 4-door sedan. I suspect the greatest endorsement of anything is when owners who you know well are happy with their choices. So my High School friend, Norm, told me he bought a 2011 Equus and I was impressed because he’s a Lexus owner and he feels the Equus is better for the money.
Lexus’ marketing slogan is that they are “in pursuit of excellence” but it would appear Hyundai has already “Achieved Excellence”. BMW says they build the “Ultimate Driving Machine”… I’m not buying slogans, but this Hyundai Ultimate is a pretty nice driving machine.
Norm has been very fortunate in business and can own virtually any car he wants, which is another reason why I take his opinion seriously. Why not a BMW 7 series or a Mercedes Benz S Class or a Lexus, I asked?
His reply: “Because this Hyundai Equus is comparable to the Lexus 460 which is much more money.” Norm is so into getting the most value for his buck and in addition to the lower purchase price Hyundai’s warranty is very strong at 100,000 miles for a luxury car.
He was especially impressed with the “Smart Cruise Control” feature. I’m thinking, with all his money how is it he’s never driven a car with Smart (or ‘Adaptive’) Cruise control. He simply hadn’t been exposed to it. I’ve been testing cars for 20 years and press cars always have the best and the newest trick stuff so I have been exposed to the feature for a long time and singing Smart Cruise praises for several years.
You may recall, I made an observation several times that all these neat control features, like Smart Cruise and lane departure warning systems, is but a precursor to cars that will someday drive themselves with very little human intervention. We have the satellites in place that already provide GPS positioning and coupled with various sensors in the car, the computer can maintain a safe distance to cars around you.
Computers already control the gas and brake and eventually will maintain direction and lane integrity as well. Another example of computer control is the parallel parking feature on some cars. It won’t be that far off that “Driving Assist” will take technology to the next level in our driving experience.
General Information:
Parts from the US / Canada 2%, Korea 78%. It is assembled in Ulsan, Korea, Classification is Compact Car. Cars from Hyundai: Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra Touring, Equus, Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Tucson, Veloster & Veracruz.
Opinion:
Do you have an opinion about anything automotive or highway related? Please share it with me.
Handling & Performance:
Equus delivers a smoooooth, quiet and fast ride. It is easy to handle, and the big V8 delivers quick response and acceleration. The bad news is that all those 459 horses consume a lot of fuel.
Styling:
Lovely all the way around.
Fit and Finish:
Excellent.
Cost:
Well, there is no free lunch and this Equus will set you back about $65,000. But when compared with the more recognizable luxury brands, it is far less expensive to buy and also far less to maintain. A friend who owns a BMW 7 Series is a great reminder that such over priced brands are also very expensive to maintain. Every time he goes in for a service to the BMW dealer the invoice is never less than $1,000 whether for a brake job, tune up, oil change – you name it, it will cost at least a grand and usually more. Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover and the like will be terribly expensive to own.
By the way, I speak from experience because I owned a German & Italian auto repair shop for many years. We couldn’t survive on Fiat, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi alone. We also counted on Jaguar and some American cars along with restorations. You learn what it costs to maintain those vehicles and which to stay away from.
Conveniences and comfort:
Special.
Consumer Recommendation:
Hyundai began selling cars in the US in February 1986 and in recent years they have earned the respect of everyone I talk with. I have tested Hyundai cars since 1995 and now I’m impressed with where they have come to. It was no surprise their luxury car offering – Equus is worthy of your consideration. You would be well advised to include it in your search.
All things considered however I would give great consideration to the Cadillac XTS since I have a lot of experience with owning Cadillac’s and would surely include it for consideration.
Recognized Competition:
Hyundai Equus $59,000, Acura RL $52,000, Audi A8 $79,000, Jugaur XJ series $74,000, BMW 7 Series $71,000, Cadillac XTS $58,000, Lexus LS 460 ranges from $68-75,000, Mercedes Benz S-class $93,000.
Good News:
Hyundai’s luxury model at entry level prices (anticipate higher prices in the future), smooth ride and exceptional handling.
Bad News:
Only average fuel economy.
Standard Equipment:
5.0 liter GDI 429 hp dual continuously variable valve timing V8 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission with shifttronic, dual mode Electro-hydraulic power steering, electric air suspension, 19” chrome alloy wheels, Vehicle stability management with pre-collision warning, 9 airbags – front, side (front and rear), driver’s knee, and roof mounted side curtain airbags, lane departure warning system, stability control, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake force distribution and brake assist, smart cruise control, proximity-key entry with push button start, power tilt and slide glass sunroof, auto leveling, front and rear parking assist system with front and rear camera’s, power heated mirrors with turn signals, leather, 12-way power driver seat and 10-way power passenger seat, driver’s seat massage system, heated and cooled front seats, 60/40power reclining and heated rear seats, heated wood and leather wrapped steering wheel, power tilt and telescopic column, Bluetooth, integrated memory system for driver, leather dash with real wood trim, electronic parking brake, Navigation system, Lexicon surround sound audio with 17 speakers, dual climate control with air quality system, power rear sunshades.
Gas Stats:
$3.77/ Gal avg. August 7, 2012
www.fueleconomy.gov
For more information.
15 City and 23 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $58,750.
