2016 Hyundai Equus Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Every serious automaker has a flagship luxury sedan. At Hyundai, that model is the impressive 2016 Equus. If the word Equus sounds familiar to you, it is because it’s the name of the genus that mammals like horses belong to. That alone makes the Hyundai notable, as every other automaker calls its top model by a meaningless string of numbers and letters. A significant vehicle should have a name.
The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Equus is a very large vehicle. Both Lincoln and Cadillac presently offer their largest sedans on a front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform. By contrast, Hyundai joins the German and Japanese luxury brands by sticking with a RWD configuration. Inside, the car is huge. Although it is a 5-passenger car, the Equus is configured with two rear seats offering limousine levels of comfort. A fifth seat is accessed by putting up the large rear console. Power is important at this luxury level, and Equus’ V8 tops the Lexus LS 460 in power with 429 hp. Vehicles at the top of the market offer more of everything, and the Equus is a shining example of that.
Hyundai created the Equus to raise the bar on the already impressive Genesis sedan. Like the Genesis, the Equus goes with few Hyundai markings and uses its own bird-like symbol. The owner of an Equus also enjoys special treatment from Hyundai, starting with the test drive. Hyundai will bring you an Equus when and where it works for you. Service is similar in that Hyundai will come for the vehicle, so you don’t have to visit a dealership. Of course Hyundai will leave you a vehicle to drive while your Equus is worked on as well.
Like its peers, the Equus is equipped with all the go-fast bits a large sedan might need for on-road driving in the U.S. Unlike some of its peers, Hyundai does not market the Equus as a sports sedan, nor does the company offer a hot-rod version. There is also just one wheelbase, unlike some other brands that offer longer “L” trims.
The 2016 Equus has a long list of standard equipment. We could list it all out for you, but suffice it to say that a careful look reveals there are no omissions. Front seats are heated and cooled premium leather. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is heated. All the infotainment goodies are on tap, including a telematics service—in this case, Hyundai’s Blue Link. Lexicon premium audio and navigation are included.
The 2016 Equus is offered in two trims, Signature and Ultimate. Comparing the two is interesting, because they are mechanically identical, and both have the full complement of safety equipment. The difference between the two boils down mostly to electronics. The Ultimate offers a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) gauge cluster, and the Signature makes do with a more conventional electroluminescent unit with a smaller TFT insert. The Ultimate also comes with haptic dial feedback on the steering wheel (it shakes to let you know your selection was felt), power front-door closure, rear-seat entertainment in front-seat headrests, a power rear sunshade, cooled rear seats with power lumbar support, lighted rear vanity mirrors, a forward-view camera, a heads-up display with turn-by-turn navigation, and a multi-view camera. New for 2016, the Ultimate trim Equus adds a hands-free trunk with automatic opening.
To compete at the top, a luxury sedan needs to have innovative and cutting-edge active safety features, and the Equus offers every safety item as standard equipment. Lane-departure warning in the Equus features not just audible and visual warnings, but the seatbelt offers haptic warnings with a tug. Forward-collision prevention with auto braking and active cruise control are also standard for both trims. Automatic collision notification via the Blue Link telematics system adds a final layer of safety.
One thing to note about the Equus is that it's not offered at every Hyundai dealership. If you are interested in buying one, the best place to start would be the Hyundai website rather than a local dealer. Like Lexus did long ago, Hyundai is making an effort to under-price the top of the luxury market. The 2016 Equus Signature will start at about $62,000. The Ultimate will be priced at about $69,000. Those that can set aside their preconceptions may find that the Hyundai Equus sedan offers world-class luxury and a premium ownership experience at a discount.
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2016 Hyundai Equus Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Lexicon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 17
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.4 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: aluminium · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: wood · Shift knob trim: wood · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: covered · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): front and rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: cargo net · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.54
Engine
Alternator: 180 amps
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rocker panel color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Blue Link · Infotainment screen size: 9.2 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: self-leveling
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 29 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Lexicon · HD radio · Rear audio: separate rear audio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 17
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.4 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear view camera: multi-view · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: cargo net · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminated rear seat
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.54
Engine
Alternator: 180 amps
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust: integrated exhaust · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Rocker panel color: body-color · Side door type: power closing · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: power adjustable headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Blue Link · Infotainment screen size: 9.2 in. · Video monitor location: dual rear · Video monitor size: 9 · Video system: DVD player
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: cornering
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Lumbar Support: power adjustments · Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: vibrating steering wheel · Pre-collision warning system: vibrating seat belt · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat: ventilated · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 29 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse