2016 proves once more to be a 12 months both of entire remodel or the smallest feasible updates. There have been only some automobiles presenting a mid variety of changes, maximum have both gotten a whole overhaul or simply had one or matters tweaked. The Hyundai Equus falls into the second one group, however it’s now no longer a horrific issue like you would possibly assume.
The Equus became first brought in 1999. It’s been a top rate luxurious limo contender ever because day one, competing with the likes of Lexus, Toyota, Audi, Mercedes, etc., at a miles decrease fee factor. It retained its boxy form for 10 years till 2009 while it acquired a massive overhaul which protected a brand new face that has been a lot greater attractive and greater in keeping with a phase which it aims.
Although the brand new vehicle became a welcomed improvement, humans nevertheless didn’t take into account it a extreme contender while it certainly became. It became a no-nonsense vehicle and one which proved Korean automobiles aren’t as horrific as humans idea for maximum of the ones. In truth, they went face to face with European, Japanese and American ones. The 2016 replace isn’t certainly substantial, and you would possibly assume it’s now no longer able to retaining its very own while you pay attention that the handiest replace is a hands-loose trunk which opens while you stand subsequent to it. But is it? Can the Equus nevertheless be as compared with the quality in its phase?
Let’s test the Equus’ middle values. In the coronary heart of the Equus lays the luxurious, consolation, and solidity, affordability comes second, and now no longer the alternative manner around. Many taken into consideration the Equus to be the bad man’s Mercedes S-elegance, Audi A7 or BMW 7-collection however it wasn’t a replacement. It became a brand new and distinctive alternative, displaying that it doesn’t should be from Germany simply to be a pinnacle contender.
2016 HYUNDAI EQUUS ENGINE
Beginning with the higher elements of the auto, we start out with the Equus’ engine, and what an engine it is. It’s a 5.zero liter V8 growing 429 hp and 376 lb-feet of torque and even though it could now no longer be a rival to the halo S65 or further powered 7-collection while you take into account the fee distinction the Equus doesn’t examine with them however instead with the bottom engine alternatives in the ones automobiles. And credit wherein credit are due, it blows them away.
The beastly engine is mated to an eight-velocity computerized transmission and strength is despatched to the rear wheels handiest. The dash from zero to 60 miles according to hour took a first rate 5.6 seconds, making the Equus approximately common overall performance wise. Fuel financial system at the mixed cycle is eighteen miles according to gallon that’s an ok determine thinking about it’s a 5.zero liter V8 below the hood. The actual unhappiness right here is the shortage of elective all-wheel power gadget that maximum competition provide.
Again, riding talents are proper wherein you suspect they’d be, in case you take its fee variety into consideration, but. It gives notable riding dynamics, pinnacle elegance for a luxurious limo, specially at the motorway. Rarely will you discover a vehicle so compliant or comfortable to power in a fee variety as much as the Equus, and it makes the ideal cross-us of a vehicle for each driving force and passengers.
But there’s an issue. Compliant because it is, the suspension lacks a few refinement while as compared to the opposition. Leave it in regular mode and the Equus looks like there’s an excessive amount of of suspension tour and bit much less stiffness we would love to have, this suggests the sacrifice it made to be a snug motorway cruiser. Put it in Sport and also you right now note the outcomes of the suspension stiffening however now you’re preventing with sharp influences which may be felt from the street underneath you. It’s now no longer insufferable however a luxurious limo shouldn’t have those varieties of troubles and evidently Hyundai did now no longer hit that simply proper factor wherein we’ve got the quality feasible option.
As mentioned, the engine isn’t a powerhouse corresponding to the flagship German luxurious limos however it’s greater than proper sufficient to tug the Equus alongside at a greater than respectable pace. It in no way manages to sense like short-breathed and also you’re now no longer left wishing for greater strength. It effortlessly overtakes nearly whatever on the street with subsequent to no effort, and it does it so in a way that handiest luxurious automobiles have.
DESIGN
Exterior look isn’t the equal for everybody so take this subsequent phase with a piece of reserve. While it’s never a horrific searching vehicle, in truth, it appears dignified and elegant, you could note some German factors withinside the Equus. This increases questions. Is the Equus copying the opposition or have they been for see you later in the sport that it’s now no longer feasible to construct a luxurious limo with out at the least a piece of German reminiscence?
The the front headlights resemble the vintage S-elegance a piece and so do the taillights. The grille is distinctive however even the general roofline is definitive of 1 luxurious vehicle. The largest differentiating factors are the flared wheel arches and hips which offer the auto a greater dominant look and deliver it greater street demeanor. Overall the Equus is a notable searching vehicle, however now no longer a in shape for its more moderen sibling the Genesis G90.
INTERIOR
The indoors is a distinctive story. The the front seats are adjustable in each plausible manner and also you take a seat down in them as opposed to on them. It’s a sinking feeling however in an excellent manner. What’s greater, they’re ventilated and warm or cool air can byskip thru them relying for your choice till you place the ideal temperature. In the lower back, there’s immoderate leg and headroom for 2 humans to sense like VIPs. Because it’s a high-quit govt vehicle, the rear seats do the whole lot the fronts can along with warm or bloodless ventilation, and may be moved in each course to present you greater assist or consolation relying for your choice. The truth is that a few humans can have a driving force and that maximum in their time whilst riding will spend at the lower back seat. As a result, Hyundai determined to provide a plethora of functions for rear seat passengers also.
The substances are the handiest disappointing withinside the cabin. When we are saying disappointing we’re of direction evaluating them to different cars withinside the phase. In order to certainly note that but you’ll have to check them lower back-to-lower back. We’re effective no person can inform the distinction in regular situations and for maximum humans this may be greater than sufficient.
If you need to get the quality bang to your buck, pass for the Ultimate trim. It punches above its weight with the aid of using a massive margin, supplying greater functions and devices than you may likely believe and are handiest suited for the opposition’s flagship models.
Overall we’ve got to mention we certainly just like the Equus regardless of its minor flaws. It’s now no longer your ordinary German luxurious limo, and it’s now no longer even seeking to be. For folks who need some thing distinctive however similarly proper charges begin at $61,500 and is going as much as $68,750 for Ultimate trim, which is sort of 50% much less than an S-elegance, 8-collection or A8. You do the math.