I commend car manufacturers who take a risk. From outlandish designs to entering new markets, companies that take a risk (and stand behind it) should be recognized. Of course, not every risk is a success (Amphicar anyone?), but for the most part, going out on a limb in the automotive world gets you noticed and gets you sales.
So, what happens if a company takes a risk and hopes that no one really notices that it was them that did it? Does it warrant the same kind of respect and kudos? And so enters my dilemma with the 2011 Hyundai Equus Signature sedan.
First off, what is it? Well, the Equus is Hyundai's entry into the large luxury car segment. They're taking on the big boys with this one (think Merc, BMW, Lexus), and they've introduced a serious player. With a price that's a good $20k cheaper than their stated competition, with all the amenities to match, the Equus truly is a fantastic edition to Hyundai's family. If only they'd truly embraced it as such.
Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com
It's clear from the moment you see the Equus that it's a luxury saloon-type car. Long and elegant, the Equus sits regally on 19” 9-spoke, chrome alloy wheels—a bit flashy for my taste, but eye-catching enough to garner the right amount of attention on the road. The overall look of the car is one of sophistication and class, which fits the bill perfectly for the class of cars it wants to fit in with; Lexus LS460 and BMW 7-Series.
With a front facade reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz and a rear that makes one think of a Lexus almost immediately, it's hard not to think that Hyundai simply lifted the best bits from all the best cars and smashed them together on the Equus. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery? So, Hyundai has effectively tipped their hat to every other automaker out there whose bits and pieces they pulled together to create the extravagant interior and exterior of the Equus.
So, what bits have they thrown together? Well, for starters, the Hyundai Equus holds a lightweight aluminum-alloy 4.6L V8 under its elegant hood that's good for 385 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. But this sedan is more about the gentle cruise than it is the start off the line. Even though it sports rear-wheel drive (a classically sporty touch), the Equus is long, heavy and doesn't corner that well.
Despite stabilizers in the front and rear as well as a unibody construction, the Equus still feels laboriously large. Even the distance the steering wheel has to travel (all that hand-over-hand action) seems a bit exaggerated and makes the car feel that much bigger. This is not the kind of vehicle you want to throw around the twisties. Because, really, would you want your driver to drift round the roundabout when you've got a venti double whip moka frappacino coconut milk beverage in your hands while you recline in the back seat? I think not.
That's right: Seats that recline in the back. Like any good luxury sedan, the back seat is as comfortable and sumptuous as the front, if not more. With full entertainment control via a pull-down middle armrest, seats that recline, privacy sunshades in all three rear windows and optional massaging, heating and cooling features available on the Equus Ultimate, the back seat really is the place to be.
Up front isn't too shabby either, with heated and cooled 12-way adjustable seats, a heated steering wheel and a navigation/entertainment system reminiscent of BMW's iDrive. The large knob that controls the onboard computer is in a bit of an awkward spot, and could stand to move up a few centimetres to make for easier selections, but otherwise the system works quite well once you get used to it.
The gauge cluster is appealing to the eye and features a 3.5” LCD information screen for fuel consumption readings, audio information, distance to empty and even a compass. Other features include a rearview camera, an electronic parking brake and an auto-hold for stop-and-go traffic and/or lights.
photo : 2011 Hyunday Equus,
Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com
Speaking of gas mileage, despite the 4.6L V8, I still managed to get the LCD to show me 10.0 L/100 km for at least a day after some extended highway driving with the laser-guided cruise control on. Otherwise, the number hovered in the 11.5 L/100 km range, which was still quite impressive for an engine that size and a vehicle that heavy.
The tech gadgetry doesn't stop at the dash. Perhaps the coolest onboard feature of the Equus can be taken out of the vehicle: each car comes with a complimentary 16GB WiFi Apple iPad. With an interactive owner's manual app available, as well as an interactive dealer locator, the iPad acts as the ultimate glovebox accessory. Though, I'm inclined to think it won't stay in there for long.
All in all, the amenities of the Equus abound, and they are of good quality and well placed. Driving the 2011 Hyundai Equus Signature is a bit like driving a luxurious hotel; just as it should be. But I'm still a bit bothered with the whole branding scheme behind this luxury Hyundai.
From the fact that it confuses everyone who's asked “What do you think it is?” to the fact that the name “Equus” is actually a word in the English dictionary meaning of the equine mammal family and yet there's no connection whatsoever to the name (even the new emblem is a phoenix, not a horse or at all horse-related). There's something disconnected about the whole thing and that really ruins the overall fab image this ride could have.
