2011 Hyundai Equus: A High-End Value

Hyundai continues to raise the stakes in its climb toward the top echelon of the automotive world.

The 2011 Equus large luxury sedan is the latest bit of evidence suggesting that the Korean automaker is striving for greatness.

Hyundai took something of a gamble a few years back when it released the Genesis, which at the time was its biggest and most expensive car.

The Equus ups the ante by introducing a 4.6-liter V-8 engine that makes 385 horsepower and 333 pounds-feet of torque. That engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai included an electronic air suspension for better handling and a smoother ride.

Fuel economy, relative to the size of the engine, isn’t too bad, rated at 16 mpg city, 24 highway by the EPA.

The Equus shares some design language with the Genesis, but sits on 19-inch alloy wheels and has a body that is 7.2 inches longer.

The list of standard features on the Equus is impressive, and includes power sun roof, rain-sensing wipers, dual heated power side mirrors and outside mirror turn signals. You can also get swiveling xenon headlights that allow you to see around corners.

The Equus, available in Signature and Ultimate trim levels, is as handsome as any luxury model in the interior. It has a sort of understated sophistication that’s not too opulent, but clearly says luxury.

And if we’re talking upscale, you cannot ignore the electronic owner’s manual that is loaded onto an Apple iPad and allows you to schedule maintenance for the car.

Nice touch (no pun intended).

Hyundai says it also offers at-home test drives for potential buyers as well as valet service appointments.

Clearly, Hyundai sees that it is competing in a very tough space among several other luxury sedans, such as the Lincoln MKZ, Infiniti M37 and BMW 7 Series.  So by offering all of these perks and packing the Equus with such great features, it hopes to gain an advantage.

That approach just may work. Hyundai has used it successfully for so many of its other models – putting great amenities into well-designed vehicles and charging very reasonable prices for them.

The Equus test model carried a sticker price of  $58,900, which is truly remarkable for such a well-equipped, beautifully designed machine.