I recently test drove the 2011 Hyundai Equus and was thoroughly impressed with it. I’m a car guy, so I know quality when I see, feel and drive it. This automobile is the personification of the Wow Factor, which the Urban Dictionary defines as “the distinctive appeal that an object, behavior or person has on others.” Distinctive appeal? Yes, that’s the Hyundai Equus.
Hyundai has made a top-of-the-line luxury car that anyone who is considering purchasing a luxury car has to test-drive before making their final decision. However, most Americans are creatures of habit or are so superficial that they define luxury by certain, limited brand names. It doesn’t matter whether it’s apparel, household items or big-ticket items, there seems to be suspicion attached to a hard-to-believe good deal. Well, if you are all caught up in that type of thing, I can’t help you! All I can do is tell you how great this car is, and you decide what’s more important — the emblem on the front of your hood or a lean, mean luxury machine.
Hyundai’s greatest accomplishment is that they managed to manufacture this luxury automobile for $58,000 that has features that will rival cars with price tags in the six-figure range. I test-drove the Signature version of the Hyundai Equus. It is a full-size, luxury sedan positioned to compete with the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 series and the Lexus LS 460. This automobile was frequently mistaken for the Mercedes S-Class, and I received more attention in this vehicle than any other test vehicle that I’ve driven all year. The futuristic design, the bi-xenon lights, the chrome trim and the standard-equipped, 19-inch wheels combine to make this a beautiful car. Look at the photos.
The interior of the Equus is similar to that of a limousine. In fact, a friend of mine made the comment that President Obama could comfortably ride in this vehicle. I enjoyed the plush, leather interior, the well-lit gauges, the large LCD screen … Actually, almost all of the luxury features that you would find on other full-size, luxury sedans are on the Equus, everything from a microfiber headliner to the Lexicon audio system with 17 speakers and surround sound just screams luxury. You even get an iPad for your owner’s manual.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a real luxury sedan without a great powertrain and a smooth ride. The 2011 Hyundai Equus comes standard with a 4.6 liter, 385 horsepower, V8 engine that accelerates from 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. The six-speed transmission shifts imperceptibly as it goes through its gears. The only way that you know it’s shifting is by the drop in RPMs on the tachometer. The adjustable-height air suspension and adaptive shock absorbers gives the Equus a ride that is comparable to any and better than 95 percent of the cars on the road today.
Once again, if you are a pure driving enthusiast in the market for a luxury car, and you are open-minded enough to consider a luxury brand outside the usual suspects, go test-drive the Hyundai Equus. This automobile is extremely quiet, engineered to perfection, rides like a dream and has all of the features any driver would ever need. Trust me. You will not be disappointed! –al weems
