2012 Hyundai Equus review

The 2012 Hyundai Equus returns for another model year, but does it luxurious price-tag overstep Hyundai’s more austere brand image? Or does the 2012 Equus offer enough value to see it compete honestly with some of the luxury segments traditionally more prestigious vehicles?

For many, the perception of Hyundai as anything more than a budget automaker has yet to materialize fully. Despite its more humble, and mediocre, beginning, the Korean automaker is slowly growing into a brand that is garnering more excitement, legitimacy, and sales than ever before. So what better way to continue along this hard-fought path of brand-building than to develop a car that very few thought they ever would, but perhaps more poignantly, though they ever could. That’s exactly what the 2012 Hyundai Equus is. Rather than bore us to death with some velvet-tinged press release, the Equus is a three-dimensional statement to the automotive world that affordable luxury can exist outside of Europe and Japan (we’ll throw the American luxury brands in there to be nice as well). What seems appropriate to ask now, however, is: Can a Hyundai seriously demand a $60,000 or more sticker price? The answer just might surprise you.

A Hyundai? Seriously?

If the perception of rest of its vehicle lineup is (wrongly) consigned to the automotive equivalent of a fast-food dollar value menu, then stepping inside the 2012 Hyundai Equus will provide you with the proverbial grass-fed, Kobe beef hamburger and truffle-oil laced fries your automotive taste buds crave. Rather than being impressed, our first reaction upon opening the vehicle door was more disbelief than sheer awe. Truthfully, we began to second-guess whether we were in a Hyundai at all. And the fact that there is little to identify the vehicle as such (the Equus features its own distinct winged icon and badging) is very telling that Hyundai clearly does not want customers associating the Equus with Elantras and Accents.

While generally straightforward and conservative (almost to a fault), the Equus’ cabin is spacious, comfort-riddled, and yes, luxurious. By trying to keep things simple, Hyundai is undeniably playing it safe. But in a segment that values refinement over flash, we don’t blame them. Still, the goal here is to convince buyers of the company’s premium credentials and the Equus does that. It’s just a shame the material quality comes up a bit short in some areas. While the requisite luxury materials are present and accounted for, like wood and brushed aluminum accents, it never truly feel as top shelf as others in the segment.

Despite some question marks regarding quality, the Equus does provide an impressive amount of space for driver and passengers alike. Up front, seating is comfortable with pleasantly bolstered and cushioned leather seats. Finding a comfortable position shouldn’t be difficult either, with 12-way driver and 10-way passenger power seats, dual climate control, as well as heated/cooled front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Of course if the standard Signature trim doesn’t satisfy your need to be pampered , the range-topping Ultimate trim ($66,000) does away with the three-seat rear configuration in favor of two reclining bucket seats, complete with passenger side power foot rest, a refrigerator located in the rear center console, massage functions, and a rear-facing DVD system. With the Ultimate trim, the Equus is really geared more towards being driven than driving the vehicle yourself.

Sound trumps tech

Typically, for automakers, the best place to showcase their full arsenal of tech features is in a flagship vehicle. The 2012 Hyundai Equus is no different. Here, you’ll find a remarkable amount of technology packed into its spacious cabin.

Surprisingly, the most impressive piece of tech inside the 2012 Hyundai Equus is its 17-speaker Lexicon audio system, formerly found inside renowned ultra-luxury automaker, Rolls-Royce. Everything about the Lexicon system is a treat to the ears. The audio levels resonate sharply inside the cabin and deliver a fluid, balanced, and dynamic sound rarely experience outside ultra-premium vehicles. Bottom line, it’s the best sound system we’ve come across, period.

Making use of the excellent sound system, drivers are treated to a number of audio sources. In addition to HD Radio, Satellite Radio, and a six-disc CD changer, drivers can cable their iPod’s directly to the vehicle via USB or stream music via Bluetooth. So those wanting to make use of internet radio apps such as Spotify and Pandora can do so with relative ease. And while we envision the typical Equus to occupy an older demographic, that doesn’t mean they won’t appreciate the wealth of new-fangled audio options at their disposal.

Naturally, our Equus Signature trim came equipped with navigation. Overall we found the nav system to be fairly hit or miss. From a design perspective the 8-inch LCD display is large and easy to view in both daytime and nighttime lighting. However, if we’re going to compare image quality to other luxury vehicles in its class, it simply doesn’t stack up to what’s on offer in the Lexus ES, BMW 7-Series, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Although, to be fair, at $60,000 for the Signature trim and $66,000 for the Ultimate, the Equus represents undeniable value at a lower price point than its more prestigious competition. Furthermore, a lack of 3D maps prevents the Equus system from battling the segment’s big-boys and is light years from matching Audi’s navigation system that incorporates Google Earth images.

Thankfully, controlling the Equus interface proved less hit or miss. There is Bluetooth support for hands-free calling, and pairing your smartphone is easy, allowing drivers to download their contact lists and dial by simply speaking aloud a contact’s name. Rather than utilize a touchscreen, the Equus navigation and media interface is controlled almost exclusively via a centrally-mounted control knob, which is surrounded by corresponding buttons for Map/Guide, Navi/Menu, Info/Phone, and various audio sources. Invariably, most will likely take to the controller, like we did, while others will long for a touch-based system. Interestingly though, most luxury automakers have been forgoing touchscreens in favor of dial or knob-like controller interface for some time now and Hyundai apparently felt the need to echo that trend in its flagship sedan.

Lastly, the 2012 Hyundai Equus sports a handful of safety tech that should help keep you and your passengers safe. On top of a lane departure warning system that monitors whether or not you’re drifting out of your designated lane and seeks to alert you via an audible warning, a rearview camera provides superimposed graphic guidance when backing up, and works in conjunction with front and rear parking sensors that give also emit an audible beep when approaching too close to an object. After all, you don’t want to ding that $60,000 Hyundai, do you? There is even a front-facing camera on the Ultimate trim that helps display cross traffic, which is ideal when exiting a parking garage or coming out of driveway. Unfortunately, the Equus doesn’t feature an active blind-spot detection which is disappointing considering the how common it has become both in and outside the luxury segment.

Automotive amnesia

Whether it’s in motion or at a standstill, identifying the Equus as a Hyundai isn’t remarkably difficult, but it isn’t exactly easy either. As we briefly mentioned, the Equus carries its own distinct badge. Although, why Hyundai would bestow a winged, bird-like figure as the Equus logo is curious given that Equus roughly translates to horse in classical Latin. Nevertheless, Hyundai’s choice of name is almost as curious as its choice of design.

The biggest fault we find in Hyundai’s flagship luxury sedan is just how derivative it is of the European brands it aspires to. In reality, the Equus borrows a lot of themes and styling cues from its competition and that’s truly putting it nicely. If there is any one automaker that should feel most aggrieved it would be Mercedes-Benz, and perhaps even Lexus. While the 2012 Hyundai Equus is seemingly handsome enough, with its aggressively chromed-out front grille, sharp LED-laden headlamps, and sculpted front-fascia, we can’t help but feel totally bereft of any excitement or emotion towards its overly conservative and bland styling.

We understand being charged with developing Hyundai’s brand cache; while also separating itself from the stables more value-driven vehicles; and tackling the luxury segment’s elites is no easy task. But in truth, Hyundai could have done a lot more here. The Equus is unable to formulate any character or identity of its own, and — based on looks alone – its muted design proves too apathetic to bring it even close to some of the sharp designs on display from the likes of Audi, BMW, Lexus, etc.

One parched powertrain

Sending power to the Equus’ rear wheels is a 5.0-liter GDI Tau V8 that produces 429 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is new for the 2012 model year. At this bracket, fuel economy is not likely to be high on a potential buyers list of priorities, but nevertheless EPA estimates rest at 15 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined. Interestingly, while most cars are busy becoming more efficient year in and year out, the 2012 Equus is slightly less so, due to the switch from its original 4.6-liter V8 to the upgraded 5.0-liter.

The sound of (road) silence

Hyundai might be seeking to make a loud statement in the luxury field with the Equus, but on the road its flagship sedan creates nary a whisper. Comfort being the key component it is in the segment, we’re really impressed with just how isolated from noise the cabin is. The Equus incorporates an air suspension to help keep the ride as cloud-like as possible, but here Hyundai has also managed to keep things relatively tight so that the suspension never becomes too pillowy. In addition, drivers have the option of adjusting ride height for different driving conditions, as well as an optional sport mode that seeks to firm up the ride.

On the highway we found the Equus proves a rather competent cruiser, while on less forgiving roads the combination of soft chassis and air suspension mitigated an overwhelming amount of road imperfections. Handling and steering is also impressive, with the Equus utilizing an electrohydraulic system as opposed to the all-electric variety. Generally, we found the steering provided a great degree of feedback and allowed for more precise, tight control at lesser speeds, while maintaining a consistent feel throughout. And given the Equus size we found that to be quite admirable. Compare the vehicle to some of its rivals, however, and the Equus’ lack of pedigree begins to surface; it never feels as athletic as a Lexus LS or as agile as a BMW 7 Series.

Finish line

The 2012 Equus is an interesting car, and it certainly begs some interesting questions: Can Hyundai deliver a luxury-soaked sedan that can compete with some of its more prestigious rivals? Can you truly wrap your mind around a $60,000 Hyundai? And, perhaps more importantly, is a $60,000 Hyundai even worth it? The answer to the first question is a resounding yes. The Equus is not without its faults: contrived design, questionable material quality, thirsty V8, and average tech, but it does offer remarkable value and comfort for a lot less than its competitors. Truthfully the Equus doesn’t do anything remarkable, save for its excellent sound system, but it does enough right to provide a real and viable alternative to the industries mainstays.

That being said, there are those out there who don’t feel Hyundai have established the brand cache to demand such a large sum for a vehicle quite yet, but if that’s truly the case, then a couple more generations of Equus should resolve that thinking. In short, if you’re searching for a convincing luxury experience on a budget we highly recommend the Equus, but if prestige and performance are of more concern than value and price, we suggest you look elsewhere.

For more pictures check out our 2012 Hyundai Equus photo gallery.

Highs

• Amazing value for the dollar
• Excellent sound system
• Comfortable and quite road manners

Lows

• It’s a $60,000 Hyundai
• Tech options are robust, but less sleek than competition’s
• Unconvincing and derivative design

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com