2011 Hyundai Equus Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Hyundai Equus review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 Equus, and includes Hyundai Equus safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Hyundai has been flirting with the North American luxury car market for years, and finally gets serious with the rear-wheel drive, V8-powered, Equus flagship sedan. On paper, the Equus appears to have the Lexus LS squarely in the crosshairs but at a price that shaves nearly $10,000 from the Lexus’s window sticker.

The 2011 Hyundai Equus is sold in Signature and Ultimate trim levels, starting at a price just under $60,000. The car is extremely well equipped, as expected of a full-size luxury sedan. Highlights include “ultra-premium” leather seats with driver massage feature, power reclining and heated rear seats with a center control console for the climate and entertainment systems, a Lexicon 7.1 Discrete Logic 7 surround sound system with a total of 17 speakers, an Alcantara suede headliner, an automatically defogging windshield with a humidity sensor, and power sunshades for the backlight and the rear side windows. Signature models also have an adaptive front lighting system that illuminates around corners, front and rear parking sensors, a smart cruise control system with lane departure warning technology, and a pre-collision warning system.

The Equus Ultimate costs an additional $6,500 and adds a power trunk lid and forward view cornering cameras. But the main reason to choose the Ultimate model is for its executive-class rear seating arrangement. This includes individual power ventilated rear seats separated by a fixed center console, a leg rest and massage feature for the right rear seat, a rear entertainment system, rear illuminated vanity mirrors, and a refrigerator for chilling the Dom Perignon, which you can easily afford because you bought an Equus.

Every Equus is equipped with the same 4.6-liter “Tau” V8 engine that is installed in the smaller and less expensive Genesis Sedan, bolted to a smooth-shifting Sportronic six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability. The engine makes 385 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque while burning premium fuel, which is delivered to the rear wheels. The EPA expects the Equus to get 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 19 mpg.

A luxury car of this caliber would not be credible without the latest in safety features, and while the Equus is missing a handful of items it’s got the bases covered and then some. Nine airbags are standard, along with stability control, traction control, and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. A smart cruise control system is standard, and its radar unit feeds information to a pre-collision warning system about closing rates to traffic and obstacles ahead. A lane departure warning system, a reversing camera, adaptive front headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and front and rear parking sensors are also standard. The Equus Ultimate also has cornering cameras for safer turns in tight quarters. So, what could possibly be missing? A blind spot detection system.

The Equus is loaded with safety technology, yes, but you want to know if the car is crashworthy when the various onboard systems cannot prevent a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not tested the Equus, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did, and the car receives a Top Safety Pick rating for its top scores in the offset frontal impact, side impact, rear injury prevention, and roof crush strength tests.

As a new model showcasing the best engineering and technology available to Hyundai, the Equus hasn’t established a reliability track record. J.D. Power and Associates is predicting average reliability for the car, based on the historical performance of all Hyundai models. To help assuage concerns in this regard, the Equus is equipped with one of the most comprehensive warranties in the business, with the powertrain covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles, and the rest of the car guaranteed for five years or 60,000 miles with free roadside assistance during that span of time.

The world may be divided into the haves and the have-nots, but we also think that it can be categorized into drivers and the driven. It would be easy to say that sports cars favor the drivers with thrills and adrenaline while luxury vehicles, with their serene ride quality and fun comfort and entertainment features, are advantageous for those who are driven. The truth is, however, many of the vehicles we love are enjoyable for both the drivers and the passengers. However, as much as the passengers will revel in the cool stuff they’ll find in the cavernous cabin, we’ve found that the 2011 Hyundai Equus falls short in delivering confidence-inspiring amusement for the driver.

Both the chauffer and the chauffeured will be happy with the supple and brawny power emanating from the Equus’ V8, and with the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission that manages the muscle with finesse. Rather, the complaints lie with the suspension, which has a difficult time sorting out the pavement it rides over, transmitting harsh vibrations into the rarefied cabin. The chassis also isn’t particularly adept at managing weight transitions on twisty roads, with plenty of lateral body movements to keep you from really enjoying the journey. Even if you’re not a driving enthusiast, this fussy, schizophrenic aspect of the Equus’ ride and handling detracts from expectations of serenity and bliss.

Unquestionably, the otherwise promising Equus delivers on good looks and a terrific value equation. We think that with inevitable improvements and tweaks during the next couple of years, the Equus will grow into the high-stakes luxury sedan arena. For now, however, it misses the mark. Even if you’re just riding in the opulently comfortable back seat.

By launching the Equus, Hyundai is attempting to pull off the same trick Lexus did more than 20 years ago: sell a credible large luxury sedan at a huge discount with no trade-offs. The car sure looks terrific, and the standard feature count certainly spells value compared to established models, including the Lexus LS. But will mega-buck luxury seekers buy a car like this wearing a badge like this?

By Christian Wardlaw