The Hyundai Equus can be viewed either as an incredible bargain, priced thousands less than other comparably equipped luxury sedans, or as the craziest way to spend approximately $58,000 on a car. Like VW did with the Phaeton, Hyundai has decided to target well-heeled car buyers interested in bargains and not badge prestige. Powered by a 378-bhp 4.6-liter V-8 mated to a 6-speed automatic, this rear-wheel-drive sedan puts a premium on comfort and refinement. Performance is quick, though you’d never mistake the Equus for a performance sedan.
The handling always felt a bit too disconnected for my taste. Even with the suspension switched to Sport mode, the steering firms up but the messages it sends to your fingertips doesn’t change much. It’s best to leave the car in Comfort mode, since the Equus is one prolific highway cruiser. A remarkably quiet cabin and powerful 17-speaker sound system make long drives a breeze. The best seat in the house is probably out back, where the rear bench has tons of legroom and a recline function.
In Ultimate trim, two individual seats replace the rear bench. These are not only heated and cooled, they also come with a footrest and massage function. Oh yes, there’s also a refrigerator. Even in base Signature trim, the cabin has all the leather, wood and luxury items you’d expect. I asked a friend to close her eyes until she was settled in the driver’s seat. When asked to look around and, in 10 seconds or less, tell me what brand of car she believed she was sitting in, her answer was “Mercedes-Benz.” That’s not too shabby for an automaker that began life in the U.S. hawking the lowly Excel hatchback.
The exterior styling borrows a lot of styling cues from other marques, especially Lexus. The Equus isn’t unattractive, but it doesn’t stand out in a crowd – a notable exception being the chrome alloy wheels fitted to my test car. The anti-establishment streak in me likes the lack of emotional baggage that comes with not having a prestige nameplate. In many ways, the Equus does everything you’d want from a comfy luxury sedan. But I’d probably get weary of explaining my fiscal sensibilities to everyone who learned I paid over 50-grand for a Hyundai.
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