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Living Large With the Hyundai Equus Ultimate

January 21, 2014 by admin 5 Comments

The Hyundai Equus is the top-of-the-line model in this Korean brands arsenal, a true-blue full-size luxury sedan that is in the same class as the Lexus LS, Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It retails for about $10,000 less than the Lexus and comes in at a price far below its German competitors, offering value in a segment where shoppers seem to care more about prestige and branding than for saving their money. That doesn’t mean that the Equus doesn’t hit many of the high points for the segment it does. Rather, it is a model that seeks to change perceptions about Hyundai and adds the prestige to go with it.

2014 Hyundai Equus
The flagship 2014 Hyundai Equus sedan.

The Equus proportions are in line with the largest Lexus and what the top European brands offer. Its brand name, Hyundai, has long stood for value, with quality and reliability more recent attributes. Combined, these three Hyundai hallmarks have helped the brand enjoy soaring sales even as capacity constraints and stiff competition weighs in.

2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate

The Equus is a thoroughly wonderful sedan. That it is a Hyundai may explain why fewer than 4,000 units have been sold in each of the past two years, a sedan now in its fourth model year for US sales. In 2013, Lexus sold 10,727 LS sedans, up 28.5 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 13,303 of its S-Class sedan, up 8.5 percent. BMW sold 10,932 units of its 7 Series, down 1.5 percent. And Audi sold 6,300 units of its A8, up 5 percent.

Meanwhile, Hyundai sold 3,578 Equus units, down 10 percent for the year. Two headwinds are working against the Equus: its Hyundai association and lack of all-wheel drive availability. Brand conscious folk wont buy the Equus because it is a Hyundai and although its rear-wheel drive layout is quite good, not offering all-wheel drive may also hold down sales.

Beyond the mind-numbing statistics, Hyundais Equus offers limo-like good looks, a quiet and comfortable interior, and the latest technological features that large luxury sedans provide. On that level the Equus matches its competitors, the beginning and ending purchase decision point for one segment of shoppers.

2014 Hyundai Equus

Powerful Engine, Smooth Transmission

Under the hood, a 429-horsepower 32-valve V-8 engine is at work, and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It is the only powertrain coupling available, but it also the only one needed. It is rated at 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. After 304 miles on a single tank I had to head the pump, getting an estimated 17 mpg in mostly highway driving. Chances are if the Hyundai Equus or one of its competitors is on your list, gas mileage is a low priority.

The Equus design does not follow the current Hyundai fluidic sculpture styling convention. It has a distinctive front grille, flanked by HID headlights located above fog lights set within sculpted alcoves. An air intake is found between the fog lights. This model is outfitted with power operated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, 19-inch alloy wheels, and LED tail lights. The only exterior hint that it is a Hyundai is the scripted H symbol centered between the tail lights. No use of Hyundai anywhere instead, the Equus symbol graces the front hood, the wheels and on the steering wheel.

Leather, Wood, and Refinement

Inside, the 2014 Hyundai Equus is lavishly appointed with supple leather on the seats, across the dash, and on the door panels. The headliner is of microfiber suede, and premium wood trim is in abundance. Hyundai equips the Equus with 12-way power front seats, with heating and cooling elements. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel is also heated, itself made of wood and wrapped in leather. The wheel also includes secondary control switches and dials.

2014 Hyundai Equus

A 9.2-inch display screen features a Driver Information System as well as the navigation interface. The screen is clear, easy to read, and simple to control by means of a large dial located between the front seats. That display features the rear view camera as well as a 360-degree view of the sedan. More than once it came in handy when I needed to back into a tight space.

Todays luxury sedans offer a heads-up display (HUD) and the Hyundai Equus has one of its own. You can display vehicle speed, turn-by-turn navigation, and see several warning displays including blind spot detection within plain sight. I appreciated that I could adjust the height of its appearance on the windshield, with Hyundai making it possible to adjust it up and down with ease.

Hyundai Equus: BMW Amenities, Limousine Ride

View manufacturer details and pricing

Not unexpectedly, the Hyundai Equus has its own audio system of note. If you’re going to compete with the top echelon, then your sound system must deliver. The Equus is equipped with a 598-watt, 17-speaker Lexicon surround sound audio system, one that includes a 13-channel digital amplifier, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD radio, and the accompanying iPod/USB and auxiliary input jacks. Lets just say that if you want a symphony experience or enjoy your favorite rock concert, you wont be disappointed.

Hyundais technology credentials are evident in the Equus LCD instrument cluster. Its a sharply luminous display with a 12.3-inch screen that changes screen color when you change the driving mode (i.e., normal, sport, snow). Trip information is located front and center with the odometer on the left and a speedometer on the right.

2014 Hyundai Equus

Rear seating room is for three, but consider that option carefully. For when there are two people present, the outboard seating positions ratchet up the comfort level by reclining, and can be heated and cooled. You need to drop down the center seat armrest to access these controls which also provide lumbar support, localized heating and cooling, and control of the two front seat back LCD display screens. Both rear side windows have sunshades when the Ultimate package is chosen, providing an additional level of comfort and privacy for rear-seating passengers.

Hyundai Equus or Not?

You may hear that the Hyundai Equus doesn’t have the handling or ride of its upmarket contemporaries. I wont dispute those findings. The Equus reminds me of what the Lincoln Town Car might have become had the Ford Motor Company created a new model. Equus has the price and the package that would satisfy American luxury car buyers, but improved body sculpting, a more forceful grille, and a distinct rear deck would certainly be attention grabbers. As it stands, the Equus is closer in price and style to the Lexus LS than its German competitors, a value-oriented luxury liner that represents a good first shot for Hyundai.

2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate

  • Sticker price from $61,000
  • Price as tested: $68,920 (estimated)
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 5.0-liter 32-valve V-8 engine
  • 429 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
  • 376 foot-pounds of torque @ 5,000 rpm
  • 3.78 inches bore by 3.43 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 11.5-to-1
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 119.9 inches
  • Length: 203.1 inches
  • Width: 74.4 inches
  • Height: 58.7
  • Passenger volume: 109.3
  • Storage volume: 16.7 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: Not Rated
  • EPA: 15 mpg city, 23 mpg hwy.
  • Regular grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 20.3 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 4,616 pounds
  • Vehicle assembly: Ulsan, Korea

More Hyundai Reviews

Premium Compact: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Attainable Opulence: 2015 Hyundai Genesis

Refreshed: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

On the Road With the All-New 2016 Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Equus photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Vehicle Reviews Tagged With: 2014 MODELS, AUDI, BMW, FLUIDIC SCULPTURE, Hyundai Equus, LEXICON, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, rear-wheel drive

About admin

Matt Keegan has maintained his love for cars ever since his father taught him kicking tires can be one way to uncover a problem with a vehicle’s suspension system. He since moved on to learn a few things about coefficient of drag, G-forces, toe-heel shifting, and how to work the crazy infotainment system in some random weekly driver. Matt is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources.

Reader Interactions

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  1. 5 Models at Death’s Door says:
    April 20, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    […] of 1,190 vehicles through July are a reason for concern. The K900 is based on the over-the-top Hyundai Equus. Both models advance European styling, but at a budget […]

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  2. Stretched Sports Sedan: 2016 Infiniti Q70L says:
    April 25, 2017 at 7:26 pm

    […] from the rear compartment are reclining seats. More expensive models as well as the Kia K900 and Hyundai Equus have them. Although the Korean competitors are technically larger sedans than the Q70L, the […]

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  3. Reviewed: 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited — Auto Trends Magazine says:
    May 16, 2017 at 6:48 am

    […] followed by the even larger Equus. Hyundai now sells everything from the subcompact Accent to the Equus sedan under one roof, proving naysayers (myself included) […]

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  4. Are Diesels Forthcoming for Hyundai Kia? — Auto Trends Magazine says:
    October 4, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    […] each have a pair of pricier models that could benefit from diesels. Hyundai has the Genesis and Equus; Kia has the Cadenza and K900. Auto Trends has tested each model — except for the Cadenza — and […]

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  5. Hyundai Genesis Sedan: Grand Finale! — Auto Trends Magazine says:
    September 6, 2018 at 6:38 am

    […] in 2015, Hyundai announced the creation of a new luxury brand called Genesis. The flagship Equus is transitioning to the Genesis G90 and the current Hyundai Genesis will become the Genesis G80. […]

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