2012 Hyundai Equus in Raleigh, NC - $15,995

Hyundai Motor America introduced the redesigned 2014 Equus premium luxury sedan in a North American debut at the New York International Auto Show last year. Boasting enhancements to exterior and interior design, vehicle dynamics, material selection, driver technology displays and advanced safety features, the 2014 Hyundai Equus is available in Signature and Ultimate trim levels.

For the 2014 model year, the Equus features exterior enhancements that convey a premium-sport design message, starting with a new 19-inch turbine-blade alloy wheel design in a polished silver finish that relays motion whether parked or on the open highway. The front grille chrome bars are thinner, with sharper contrast to the blacked-out portions of the grille for a sportier look. The front fascia also has been redesigned, with the former chrome accents removed in favor of a modern premium appearance that includes lower fascia opening strakes. The headlamps offer jeweled design elements and include chrome contrasted with black-out finishes for a distinctive appearance. New LED fog lamps are now standard. Side mirrors have been redesigned for enhanced aerodynamics and tail lamp graphics move to a more horizontal theme.

Power for the Equus sedan is generated by a 5.0L Tau V8 prime mover that is joined to an eight-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC and manual shift mode.
Driving dynamics have been revised to minimize traditional ride and handling compromises, with Normal and Sport modes each taking on a more differentiated ride and handling character. The air suspension was recalibrated: Sport mode receives more controlled damping, while Normal mode receives slightly enhanced ride comfort while retaining a well-controlled handling demeanor. The front suspension bushings were also revised to enhance suspension function. For those customers that experience adverse weather conditions such as ice and snow, a new Snow mode function was added to the drive mode system, for both safety and ease of control in challenging road conditions.

On winding country and mountain roads, the Equus benefits from the precise wheel articulation delivered by its five-link front and rear suspension geometry. This geometry is maximized through Continuous Damping Control (CDC), which continually monitors road and driving dynamics and optimizes damping force accordingly. The standard 19-inch alloy wheel and tire package with staggered width tires (P245/45R19 front P275/40R19 rear) offers excellent grip and precise control.

Inside the passenger cabin, Hyundai engineers wanted the 2014 Equus interior to perfectly complement the enhancements to its exterior. Thus, the themes of premium and performance again greet the driver behind the wheel. The entire instrument panel and center stack have been redesigned with more premium materials and an ergonomically-correct layout, with new button iconography for quicker and easier feature recognition. The center console and shift lever reveal more premium material selection and contemporary premium-luxury design cues. Steering wheel control layout has been improved, with new low-sheen button designs and icons.
Similarly, rear passengers will enjoy a new rear console and button layout, with available dual 9.2-inch, high-resolution, adjustable seatback video screens to enjoy movies, audio media, HVAC or seating functions. Rear passengers can even search restaurant locations and provide navigation system directions directly to the driver’s navigation screen.

Dimension & specifications
Wheelbase: 119.9; overall length: 203.1; width: 74.4; height: 58.7
All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 5.0L V8 – 429 hp at 6,400 rpm and 376 lbs-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 15 city/23 highway
Cargo capacity: 16.7 cubic feet

Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side-impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags, driver seat knee airbag, rear outboard side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, traction control, vehicle stability management w/pre-collision warning, smart cruise control with start/stop functionality, front/rear parking assistance system w/rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning system, blind spot detection, body-side reinforcements, engine immobilizer, anti-theft system, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitoring system, navigation system, Xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps, adaptive front lighting system, automatic headlights with daytime running lights, LED front fog lights, rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, windshield wiper deicer, premium first aid kit, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, automatic power door locks, push-button start, and HomeLink integrated transceiver. Ultimate adds multi-view camera system, and heads-up display.

Warranty
Basic: 5-year/60,000 mile
Powertrain: 10-year/100,000 mile
Corrosion: 7-year/unlimited
Roadside Assistance: 5-year/unlimited 24-hour

Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2014 Hyundai Equus sedan starts from $61,250 for the Signature and $68,500 for the Ultimate. Destination charges add $920.