2012 Hyundai Equus Manchester

For 2012, the Equus gains a new 5.0-liter V-8 engine with direct injection. The V-8 makes 429 horsepower and teams with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Power sunshades for the rear side windows are now part of the Ultimate trim level's features. The Equus was designed by Hyundai to offer a modern premium experience, where the owner's manual comes in the form of an iPad and a valet service program will pick up the vehicle for services, providing a loan vehicle until its return.

2012 Hyundai Equus Design

At the front of the 2012 Equus, the grille design we know well from the Hyundai Genesis has been skillfully integrated with the headlight shapes, and carefully beveled front corners allow the light forms to carry around as vivid slashes into the quarter panels. The effect visually shortens the front overhang appreciably, to good effect. It is functional, too, allowing the auto-cornering HID headlights to swivel more effectively as the car turns. The side of the car is distinguished by a contour crease that runs across the top of the front fender and then arcs through the doors before kicking up over the rear door handle to meet the rear light, lending the rear fender a muscular outline as it does. Chrome window surrounds and a bright strip below the doors adds further detail, while large, bright 19-inch wheels cram the wheel housings to emphasize a solid stance.

Handling of the 2012 Equus

The Equus uses a 429-hp 5.0-liter V8 sends power to the rear wheels via a Shiftronic eight-speed automatic transmission.  With multi-link suspension all around, the big Hyundai's chassis handles accurately, abetted by the Continental air-struts and the Sachs electronically controlled damping system. There's a driver-selectable Sport position, which subdues ride motions quite well without introducing much abruptness into the ride, but this is not really the kind of car one wants to fling around. It does very nicely with deliberate inputs at a brisk pace. Drivers will find much to enjoy behind the wood and leather steering wheel and the unusual winged emblem found at its center. The combination of a very stiff structure, elaborate sound-insulating disciplines and an air-spring suspension produces an experience that is at once quiet, smooth and responsive.

Inside the '12 Equus

Inside, the dash comes wrapped in French-stitched leather, and it adorns more places ? most notably the center console surroundings and steering wheel ? than in the Genesis. The interior boasts power heater leather seating, massaging driver seat with memory, wood inserts voice-activated navigation and a luxury audio system. Contemporary instrumentation technology makes for an attractive display, and the main gauges are large and legible. A driver's information display is incorporated into the IP, providing all trip and vehicle status alerts, with accompanying audible warnings when appropriate. Considering how much equipment the car has, the control layout is relatively uncluttered, with easily found switches and a fairly intuitive iDrive-like function controller. As is typical of the class, the Equus mounts some of the more commonly used switches on the steering wheel, further simplifying the layout.

Hyundai Equus Trim Levels 2012

Equus Signature comes with premium leather seating surfaces, Alcantara suede headliner, dual automatic temperature control with air quality system, 608-watt, 17-speaker Lexicon stereo system, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel trimmed in wood and leather, illuminated scuff plates, illuminated door handles and door armrest, and all the bells and whistles you find in similar luxury sedans.

Equus Ultimate features two separate seats in the rear equipped with elaborate massaging technology, power headrests, and footrests. There are also rear in-car entertainment controls and a refrigerated beverage compartment. The Ultimate model also features a forward-view camera to provide better observation when easing out of tight alleyways, and a powered trunk lid.

Conclusions

Safety features that come standard in all models include advanced advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, driver knee airbag, and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags; electronic active front head restraints with power controls; electronic seatbelt pretensioners, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control, Vehicle Stability Management with pre-collision warning, active cruise control with pre-collision intervention, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Smart Cruise Control, tire pressure monitoring system.  For more on this 2012 model, visit the official Hyundai Equus website.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com