Hyundai Equus 2011 Review - Impressive new Hyundai won't scare established marques

Over two decades ago Lexus surprised the world, catching the established German automakers off guard with the LS400. All these years later and the Toyota luxury arm has risen from being mocked as a pretender to the court of elite car ownership to a serious rival, thanks not only to its products, but also due to a commitment to service and reliability...
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AutoGuide reviews the latest new cars with test drives, car comparisons and shootouts plus coverage of breaking auto industry news, auto shows, rumors and spy photos. Help shop for your new car with informative car buying tips and car recall news, and be entertained with feature stories, Top 10s and car review videos.
Produced/Shot/Edited by Chris Blanchette

[@kcwicho]

Buying a Hyundai is not a matter of not having money enough to buy another brand. It's a matter of having a lot of common sense and get more quality and reliability spending a lot less. I wonder why those people who hate Hyundai can call themselves 'intelligent' when they have never known or driven Hyundai's. Saddly I was one of them, but since I started driving a 2003 Elantra, I regreted everything I've said about Hyundai's and now I could never change them.

[@ravipeiris4388]

Absolutely beautiful luxury saloon. In other countries, there is no Hyundai badging in the back of the trunk.

[@WorldOfIvillis]

Wow what do you guys know? For you this car may just be another copy but in Korea this car is worthy as much as most other luxury or premium cars that are imported there. The equus was around longer than you guys know, it was only this new version that was able to make it to the U.S. I must agree it has similar styling but if you have never driven or even felt the car how can you assume it is simply cheap and unreliable?

[@mikerules666]

It's hard to believe that this is a Hyundai. I think that all those European car makers had better watch their backs. This car is value priced and ready to make them all jealous. Hyundai has really steeped up their game and made a place for themselves in the world.

[@ForzaItaliaAzzurri7]

The 2013 Hyundai Equus is one of America's best engineered and most reliable luxury sedans of 2013. Engineered by German engineers, the 2013 Equus delivers excellent power, superior driving and advanced technologies. Forza Hyundai Motors!

[@albertjeong]

Very interesting, nicely made review! Maybe one thing you can change is the abrupt change between cameras..

[@matrixloader]

The equus has been sold in s.korea for years, what gen is this car? 4th? 5th? anyway its may be to new for the USA but its still a great car well worth the money.

[@maeng97]

THE EQUUS IS THE NOT THE FIRST LUXURY SEDAN BY HYUNDAI, THEY MADE FOR LIKE TEN YEARS IN KOREA.

[@alexlugovoy]

@ladistar on the other hand they would spend much more for lexus ls, mercedes s class, and bmw 7 series and would get less for their money. Also hyundai would offer greater warranty than any body else.

[@bitemyshinnymetalass1569]

I'm currently seeing these going for around $10k. Is it a good daily driver . ?

[@Jysohn]

Btw... Genesis was not released first. There were previous Equus models released in Korea that were not released in the US before.

[@MrAmalto]

Well I've been in an Equus and its door handles are made with solid, expensive feeling metal- So either the accent has hella nice solid metal door handles, or they're just shaped similarly

[@SupramanTRD]

I love it, mix of mercedes and bentley, for cheaper than a range rover, went in one of these, for the power it has its perfect

[@TerryFilming]

@evolutionj That's accentation. And its not plastic... That the accesory that is painted the same color as the vehicle.

[@JSoulstorm]

Love the car, and I'm a German/Japanese car-nut.

[@evolutionj]

HOLD UP.... at 3:35 He said "You can also raise and lower the car with a push of a button." Hyundai is really stepping their game up.

[@Gangstabob716]

dude, this hyundai is comparable to the maybach when it comes to comfort and performance and for a price like that, its a steal. BMW, Mercedes, and even Lexus does not offer these many options and cost even more....the reason why many people prefer those is mostly because of the name brand and like to show it off

[@misterq0604]

I think I saw the same car the reviewer was testing... LOL. It was around Queen/Bay(?) a month ago or so. The car definitely has presence and I couldn't help but notice it. I first saw one parked around my neighborhood last November. Haven't seen one until recently. I think I've seen total of 5 here. Too bad neither Equus or XF offers AWD. After checking out the car in person, it feels like a waste to spend the same money on E350 4matic, and Benz has to be special ordered to get leather seats...

[@TheReapersSon]

I actually like the design of the car. The lines are quite good and I like the lack of badging. However, while Hyundai shot for a high mark which is good for them considering they've always been considered a low-quality manufacturer, trying to hit as high as a 7 Series ended up being a bit detrimental to the overall effect of the car. Honestly however, I'd still take this if I was looking to spend a bit less, as well as save on maintenance and get a better warranty compared to the competition.

[@iSOBigD]

I don't know about that, the Phaeton has even more features, even the older models...and the W12 can do 200mph...for a while...without overheating...which most supercars can't do. Also for some reason this car has tons of features for just One of the rear seats not both, but realistically you won't have 2 people in the back too often and it's not a $100k car.

[@luggage12345]

I feel like Hyundai Sonata has a newer look. But don't get me wrong this car is truly amazing.

[@cirodom]

I fell in love with this car, but in Brazil it is expensive at around $ 200 million U.S. dollars

[@ilwol1004]

Couldn't agree more.. Equus looks bigger If the phaeton was designed to be look larger...it would be a perfect car

[@dushyantx]

3.50 I caught myself smiling.

[@techdude6693]

Damn, this tops at around 65K, you could easily spend more on a E550 or 550i, so not a bad price at all

[@ladistar]

It's a great car, but for that price point people are going to be asking themselves, "why am I spending 60-70k on a Hyundai?" not hating at all, but it's a legitimate concern that Hyundai needs to answer in branding itself.

[@Jysohn]

@TheBjjones Hyundai has come very far in their designs. I personally like the design better than most Lexus models, as this car's design is simple yet elegant. Lexus cars to my perspective can be very similar to previous models, whereas this design is completely different to the previous equus models. The newer design available in Korea at the moment is more better looking than the one shown here

[@TheJohancha86]

@heyga hyundai is 44 years in making cars. First one came in 1967.

[@ActionBasterd630]

i see this car every day its is a great looking car

[@marshknute]

@hugostv This and the Genesis sedan are the only Hyundai's which can be considered copies. I bet you can't name a single car that looks like the Elantra, Sonata or Veloster. In fact, all of their new cars (save for the Equus and Genesis sedan) have adopted a style that is unique to Hyundai.

[@brownthug2b]

wall street i swear the royal york hotel is in toronto?

[@cardude1992]

i dont know about a 7 series or an s class but i would choose this over a lexus ls.

[@Djonemore]

Hyundai Logic: 70K luxo.. Uses same interior door handles as in a Accent.

[@loufalce]

Its beautiful, the interior is a knockout, but its still a Hyundai.

[@mrzack888]

never thought i'd consider a Hyundai....

[@hollbri2]

the hyundai genesis has much bettervalue than any german car-and the new grandeur will be the best choice in its class!!

[@cirodom]

Um espetáculo, pena que no Brasil, esse carro é um absurdo de caro!

[@ChrisARC]

They do that to keep the price down.

[@RaewonJ]

Did you guys buy this car and keep saying that sucks

[@kdu8004]

It's not even good enough to compete with an LS. Maybe the infiniti Q from the late 90's

[@datrumate7375]

All that and its cheaper in price than most other sedans in its class

[@cirodom]

Eu me apaixonei por esse carro, mas no Brasil ele é caríssimo em torno de U$ 200,000 mil dólares

[@TerryFilming]

Biggest lie ever, in Brazil the average cost of a Volkswagen Golf is 45,000 Brazilian Real Money. 45000 Real = 21380 USD.

[@SlowN55]

0:29 Lifts empty cup Sips the air from the empty cup.

[@cardude1992]

honestly if hyundai made a luxury division of their own like lexus is for toyota and sold this car than it would've cost way more. i think this is a great since you are paying for exactly what you are getting,

[@Androbot2012]

I would buy a VW Phaeton but Equus is pretty good

[@ilwol1004]

Better than phaeton... anyway those large crom kills my eyes grear looking car though

[@minibus1351]

Equus came out wayyyyy before the Genesis. Equus name for Hyundai is about a decade old.

[@TheBjjones]

@robins1818 The Equus is a decent luxury sedan, especially considering it's cost. But when you compare fit and finish, attention to detail along with overall quality, Hyundai still has quite a way to go until they can match or overtake Lexus.

[@al821]

about 100 mil USD

[@chimaeraSPK]

When he was drinking that tea, he looked like some old stuck up English bloke.

[@Jysohn]

you say*

[@brandonguimarey]

So you much rather spend $65,000plus on a Hyundai? That doesn’t sound very smart in my opinion. It is a great car I won’t doubt that but I feel you can get a BETTER quality car with a sticker price like that.

[@TerryFilming]

No, first, go look on Business Insider. The VW Golf is 21,000.

[@ktonlai]

@mkyumae14 ive been inside the car, it looks better in black but the beige does not work at all, too many tones, none matching

[@yaknow11]

@surethang27 Well said, these Euro car lovers better have an electrician nearby.

[@JackandDiane1994]

What? $200 Million? $200,000,000?

[@TecnamTwin]

The performance that you get with the almost 400 hp V8 is embarrassing.

[@FoodyTunes]

...um that's Toronto... "to the Bay Street offices!" Why does AutoGuide hate Canada?

[@yaknow11]

@aadeebindy Now that's poetry :->

[@milek021]

For example what? Of course with ALL those things U get with Equues "just" for 65k$ ?! You own this car, or do You know anything about it, ever drive some new generation Hyundai ? I don't think so, it's just You looking at this awesome car but that Hyundai badge is problem for You because it's not German MB or BMW, it's not American, British, Japanese, but it's "JUST" Korean?!? I "have" money for good car, I was driving bmw M5 as my FIRST car, and now I'm HAPPY with my just Korean Hyundai ix35.

[@Xentradi97]

The rise and recognition of Hyundai/Kia seem to represent the sentiment of general public who are sick and tired of bourgeois attitude and behavior of Wall street and recent debacle of economy by White collar criminals and CEO's who offer little of value and yet demands high salary. No doubt top German luxury car are more refined. But are they really worth the money you pay for it? I guess that's the question this car raises.

[@observant98]

Jeffrey...Wall Street offices....Coming out of the Royal York Hotel in Toronto he should have said take me to the Bay Street Offices. Did you see the Ontario license plates on the car. Then we have to listen to that fast talking used car lot salesman who never sold a high end luxury car in his life. Never the less, a fine automobile.

[@gohst9015]

If he was going to wallstreet he'd be driving a s class or maybach u don't ever see cars under 70k

[@WorldOfIvillis]

You know, your statement would be less of a contradiction if you had used correct grammar.

[@Jysohn]

@zeetitz Sure the Equus is probably not as Good as other luxury European cars yet, but wait a few more years. Hyundai will release a new Equus or a new model that will be as good as, or even better than European luxury cars.

[@GuyOnYouTube]

I don't really see who this car is targeting. This is more of a "bragging rights" car than anything made for consumers. It is marketed as a car to have a chauffer drive you around, but anyone that can afford a chauffer's salary isn't going to buy a HYUNDAI... And the cockpit where someone would drive themselves looks boring and bland and cheap. Certainly not my cup of tea. I think its a great car for the money - but exactly who's money?!?!

[@Jysohn]

U are judging a book by its cover

[@mrsantosjon]

Its funny when i see alot on the road and it aint Koreans, I live in Texas Haha..

[@Jysohn]

@bigdi77 What are you talking about? Hyundai doesn't copy Lexus, and Kia doesn't copy Audi either. Wth have you been looking at? Hyundai cars look nothing like Lexus cars. Psssht! Kia copy Audi?! R u srs? Kia has their sporty look they follow and they looks nothing like the Audi models. Type up the Kia Opirus. As you probably may already know, Hyundai owns Kia, and the Opirus is the Equus grade of Kia. Search the newest model up and tell me is it looks ANYTHING like an Audi.

[@reign1222]

Maybe its the styling but it just looks like a german car wanna be. You know a mercedes, you know a bmw, but this seems to not have an identity.

[@brandonguimarey]

Poor man's luxury car!

[@Jysohn]

@NeutralGenericUser How can unsay this is ugly? You've definitely got a bad taste of cars. The Veracruz? Yeh I admit that it's quite ugly. But this car? What are you on about? Have you been in the car before? I'm guessing you haven't. You're judging a book by its cover. Besides, it was your choice in buying the Veracruz in the grid place right? You can't just judge other cars from Hyundai just coz you got a crap car.

[@cirodom]

A show, a pity that in Brazil, this car is an expensive nonsense!

[@MissCarmenxoxo]

Not about that life

[@Gramatan3000]

Little more than a Genesis.\

[@JUNOMAN]

Before all of ya'll talk shits about korean products, the tv and cell phone u use like the "samsung" and "lg" its made in korea.... Think about it

[@evolutionj]

Why is there a random bulging piece of cheap chrome and plastic sticking out under the head lights? It looks like a little mustache.

[@andrewygkim]

@CarsAmerican one of the reasons I don't buy American cars it's because of the reliability issue and American cars are a piece of junk compared to Asian and European cars

[@Mattixxg]

@freebird20002012 Like how the GTR is RAPING everything in its class. DId you know it was designed to compete against the regular 130k Porsche 911 turbo. GERMAN. Now, with the 2012, they dont even compare it to that model any more. Its the GT3 and much more expensive and powerful porches lol..its hilarious. The gtr is such a beast that magazines had to find something that didnt make the 911 look like shit. Go ahead adn look into it.

[@chisaoboy]

Eh

[@MrTheMiguelox]

lie, that's not the price of a golf, that's the price of the GOL, with is a piece of shit, not comparable to golf

[@mrsantosjon]

That is somE goof looking car lol

[@Androbot2012]

i know LOL hahahhahahha

[@leader550]

a copy

[@Jysohn]

First **

[@bigdi77]

I hate hyundai they always copying lexus and kia copys audi smh

[@freebird20002012]

i drove in a mercedes e350 and bmw 528xi, they both suck...horrible ride, noisy, shaky interiors. and reliability? forget it. kraut mobiles break more often than yank tanks. thanks i will take a glorified toyota anyday.

[@NeutralGenericUser]

This car is so friggin ugly. Inside and out. Not to mention that Hyundai's power train sucks! This is coming from a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz owner.

[@MegaReaper999]

Lol, I think we don't need that Window shade, because the paparazzis will be gone when they see the hyundai badge. no need for the shade

[@sedag100]

Another asian copy to the great European cars. It's not near those rivals quality and exclusive standard, this is just another crappy asian car. Scrap this ugly beast!!

[@ktonlai]

i'm a huge fan of hyundai, but they need to work on that interior.... its butt ugly