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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Hyundai Equus

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Hyundai Equus

Overview

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2013 Hyundai Equus Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.4

When Lexus first launched the LS 400 sedan, many (including the German manufacturers) scoffed at the idea of a Japanese luxury car. You know what happened. So everyone, including Lexus, should be watching as Korea's Hyundai offers its $60,000 ultra-luxury Equus sedan. The big, lavishly equipped car takes aim at premium sedans costing tens of thousands more. And if it comes up a little short in ultimate handling ability compared to Germany's best (as indeed today's Lexus LS does), the 2013 Hyundai Equus has the style, performance, luxury and amenities to bring its value pitch to the flagship-sedan category. Interestingly, Hyundai decided against launching a new premium brand (a Lexus or Infiniti), so the Equus shares a badge and showroom with Accents and Sonatas.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you feel you've reached a point where you deserve some pampering but don't feel the need to drop six digits of dollars on a luxury sedan, the 2013 Hyundai Equus may be for you. Hyundai's "At Your Service" program includes free maintenance for five years/60,000 miles.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While the 2013 Hyundai Equus luxury sedan's price may be right, the label is decidedly not designer. For those who place a premium on brand-name recognition, the Hyundai Equus nametag might not (yet) make the grade with the country-club set.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.4
Driving Dynamics

7.0
Comfort & Convenience

8.2
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.6
Value

6.9
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#9

out of 9

MPG

#2

out of 9

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

9.1 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

The only change to the Hyundai Equus luxury sedan for 2013 is a new color combination, White Satin exterior with a Saddle interior.

Driving the Equus

2013 Hyundai Equus Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions No one who studies these things closely will mistake the driving characteristics of the 2013 Hyundai Equus sedan with those of a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But most...

buyers probably won't care much about the difference. The Equus cabin is amazingly quiet and its air-suspension ride is tuned to eliminate road imperfections while still returning a secure feel on winding roads. The Equus holds its line very well in corners and is more than capable of managing its substantial weight on twisty roads. There is a trace more float and road isolation than in the German flagships. Steering feel is good and, though not as responsive as a 7 Series, it's a bit better than the Lexus LS, which is probably right about where Hyundai planners want the car to be.

Favorite Features

POWER RECLINING REAR SEATS
Who wouldn't love the ability to recline in a car with your feet up and watch a movie while someone else drives? The seat massagers, plus heating and cooling, are nice touches as well.

LEXICON 7.1 DISCRETE LOGIC 7 SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM
While the 2013 Hyundai Equus sedan's 17 speakers might seem like overkill, we applaud the superb sound quality of the system, which completes the luxurious in-cabin experience.

2013 Hyundai Equus Details

2013 Hyundai Equus Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Some cars are made to drive, others to be driven in. With the 2013 Hyundai Equus, it's a toss-up. The Ultimate trim features executive-style rear seating for two, with wide, comfortable heated and cooled seats separated by a center console containing a refrigerator and controls for the flip-up rear-seat entertainment system. The passenger-side rear seat features a power-operated leg support. A rear bench seat comes standard in the Signature trim level, which provides ample accommodation for three adults. In either case, you'll find sufficient headroom and legroom for everyone and an interior laced with rich, warm wood and fine leathers.

Exterior

In designing the 2013 Equus luxury sedan, Hyundai took a page from the Lexus script. The Equus has several visual cues from Mercedes-Benz (the grille), BMW (taillights), and Audi (LEDs beneath the headlights). But when all the styling elements are combined, the look actually works. The Equus doesn't look like any other Hyundai, and strikes a pleasing balance between modern character and sedate formality. Highly-styled 19-inch alloy wheels round out the Equus' exterior.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2013 Hyundai Equus Signature sedan, the "base" model in the Equus family, comes with a host of impressive standard features. The most notable include a 5.0-liter V8 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, electronically-controlled air suspension with damping control, a 608-watt Lexicon 7.1 Surround Sound system with 17 speakers, a navigation system, a 12-way power driver's seat with massage system, and heated and cooled front seats. Other touches include a dual automatic temperature control system and 60/40 power-reclining and heated rear seats.

Optional Equipment

There aren't options available for the 2013 Hyundai Equus, just the alternative of the up-level Ultimate model. This adds a goldmine of upgrades, most of which are dedicated to turning the rear seats into a first-class-cabin experience. A 50/50-split cooled and reclining rear seat replaces the bench seat, making the Equus a 4-seater, and the passenger-side rear seat adds leg support and a massage system. Other additions include a rear entertainment center with an 8-inch screen, a rear console refrigerator, a forward-view cornering camera, and a power trunklid.

Under the Hood

The 2013 Hyundai Equus is powered by a sophisticated 5.0-liter V8 engine with variable valve timing and direct fuel injection. It is mated to Hyundai's own in-house 8-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual-shift control. In addition to providing smooth acceleration and enough power to scoot the large sedan to 60 mph in six seconds or less, the potent V8 returns impressive highway mileage numbers on par with both the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes S-Class.

5.0-liter V8
429 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
376 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/23 mpg

Pricing Notes

The 2013 Hyundai Equus Signature starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $60,150. Stepping up to the Ultimate trim level brings the price to $67,150. Both numbers are well under any of the Equus sedan's competitors in the flagship-sedan category. These rivals include the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. If you're looking to get the best deal on your Equus, be sure to check out KBB.com's Fair Purchase Price before going to the local Hyundai dealership. As for resale value, the 2013 Hyundai Equus fares well against its competition, with projected values on par with its European rivals.

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2013 Hyundai Equus Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.1

Out of 10

Based on 16 Ratings for the 2011 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.2/10

Quality

9.4/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

9.2/10
Comfort

9.4/10

Styling

9.1/10

Simply the nicest car I have ever owned

By HyundaiFan (NH) on Friday, May 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Quality,features, value, poweful engine"

Cons: "No softclose doors, no massage in front passenger"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned Audis, BMWs and several other brands. I intended to buy an Audi A8 or BMW 7, but the Hyundai value was simply too good to pass. Yes there are some features on the other cars that I wanted but they were not worth $40K more. The car is very comfortable and wonderful to drive. It has a powerful engine and drives so smoothly. Over the past three years, I have become a huge fan of Hyundai but would never have considered a luxury car. I have bought two Sonats's for my children and they are exceptional. That experience led to me considering the Equus. It is the best buying decision I have ever made on a car."

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Shockingly great car - best i've ever owned

By spinningbull (CA) on Saturday, May 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 10,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fast, Fun, Comfortable, amazing price"

Cons: "MPG, No paddle shifters, very big"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Absolutely amazed by my Hyundai. The comfort and quality of the interior rivals the best of the european super luxuries - we have a mercedes as well, and the inside of my equus is quite a bit nicer. Performance is outstanding. Fastest car i've ever owned. It handles so well I often don't realize how fast im going. I've caught my self going over 100 by mistake a number of times - just by passing on the freeway! while 0-60 is in 5s, it's the 70-100 number thats surprising. I'm not kidding, in the time it takes to pass a car on the freeway, I've caught the car lowering (yes, it lowers at 100mph). I've owned it for a year, and the concierge service has been fantastic. it's been in twice fro oil changes - both times it was picked up at my office, and returned detailed. Dynamics "only" got a 9 out of 10 for a few nit picks. There is a bit of a lag in the initial kick when accelerating. I've learned to adjust, and the manual mode on the 8-speed trasmission helps. No paddle shifters! Wah. I know, its a GT not a sports coupe, but everyone else has them! :-) I'd love to see more control of the suspension programs - and the ability to adjust would be great. Still love the car, one of my favorite of all time."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Love this car!

By Crystal (CA) on Wednesday, February 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,800

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Luxury car, more affordably priced"

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"My Equus is a great ride, super powerful, and handles well for its weight and size. It has all the luxury of BMW or Lexus for a price that's considerably less. Eye catching exterior, and the interior is well appointed, spacious, and extremely comfortable. I can't think of anything it lacks that I might need. Only minor issue is with the trunk occasionally stopping midway up. Driving this car makes me feel good, and when I get to where I'm going, I can't wait to go again."

9 people out of 9 found this review helpful

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Best deal on a luxury car - bar none

By P&M (NH) on Thursday, November 29, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 3,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Drive, seating, luxury features"

Cons: "No active passenger seat, AWD"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Debated on BMW 7 series and Audi A8. I through out the Lexus almost immediately - did not like the seating. The BMW and Audi have some fantastic features not found on the Equus but they were nearly 50% more. The Equus is incredibly comfortable, loaded with features, extremely powerful engine, and more."

24 people out of 24 found this review helpful

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More bang for the buck

By POP (GA) on Sunday, September 16, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 900

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "The list is too long to fit in the space provided"

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I traded a 2011 BMW 535i for the Ultimate.I was in the dealership to help a daughter trade for a Sonata and walked out with both the Sonata and the EQUUS.The salesman let me take a test drive while waiting on the paperwork to be completed on my daughter's new Sonata. It made the BMW, which I thought was a great car,seem very over priced. I have had the EQUUS now for a month and have no regrets.It is smooth, quiet and powerful. One could not ask for more in a luxury car. It has features only to be found in cars in the $75,000 and up price range."

16 people out of 16 found this review helpful

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Beware of Equus customer service

By LAdriver (CA) on Monday, August 20, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 250

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Just got my Equus 8/17/12. Traffic part of navigation was not working out the door. Called Sirius customer service, who told me they could not fix it, and that in 7-10 business days, someone would call me to address the issue! Next, I called the Equus service line. Was told by the first agent, Kristin, this was not Hyundai's problem, nothing they could do! I spoke to supervisor Mike, who told me basically the same thing. Three days later, I called Hyundai again, supervisor Maryanne said the same thing-not Hyundai's problem. Actually Maryanne spent more time making excuses for Sirius than anything. She told me I should wait to hear back from Sirius. When I pressed her on whether she thought Sirius' response to me of 7-10 business days to get a call back was reasonable, she told me she could not say, as she was not an expert in that product! I expect Hyundai to stand behind their product, especially the Equus. Instead, every person I spoke with at Hyundai has immediately passed the buck to Sirius and refused to help. I would expect them to replace the unit or lean heavily on Sirius to fix this timely. No such luck and no one at Hyundai seems to care."

30 people out of 40 found this review helpful

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