2016 Hyundai Equus

NEW FOR 2016:

- New colour: Manhattan Brown

For 2016, the Equus gains touchless proximity access for its power-operated trunk. As with the Genesis, you simply stand next to the trunk for a few seconds, and it’ll pop open. It’s a handy – or, rather, hands-free – addition. Hyundai has also given Night Shadow Brown a new name.

Over the past five years, the Equus has quietly marked Hyundai’s presence in the prestige sedan segment. Only a few dozen are sold in Canada every year. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent choice for buyers who value refinement, comfort, and anonymity over flashy styling and badges.

Understated on the outside, but technologically sophisticated on the inside, the Equus offers drivers a comfort-oriented experience thanks to standard air-ride suspension and effortless acceleration thanks to a standard V8 powertrain. Impressively, all Equus models come standard with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go assist, blind spot monitoring, tri-zone climate control, Lexicon-brand speakers (the same as what are used by Rolls-Royce) and a five-year, 100,000 kilometre comprehensive warranty. Other amenities include an available head-up display, 12.3-inch full TFT instrument cluster display, and surround-view camera system.

In addition, the Equus includes concierge service, where the dealer will pick up the car when servicing is required and leave a loaner vehicle, and an iPad with Equus application that also has the owner’s manual in the device.

The Equus rides on a lengthened version of the outgoing Genesis’ platform and comes standard with three-mode air suspension. Powering the Equus is a direct-injected 5.0-litre V8 paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, unlike most of its rivals, the Equus is rear-drive only. Two trims are available: Signature and Ultimate.

Features on the Signature include 19-inch alloy wheels, air suspension with continuous damping control, proximity key with push-button start, hands-free power trunk, tri-zone climate control, leather-wrapped dashboard, wood trim, premium leather upholstery, suede cloth headliner, 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat, 10-way power adjustable front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, memory for seat, mirror and steering wheel, heated leather and wood-trimmed steering wheel, power tilt and telescoping steering column, AM/FM/CD/DVD and satellite radio, 608-watt 17-speaker Lexicon sound system, 9.2-inch display audio system with navigation, trip computer, iPod and USB port, Bluetooth, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera, cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, radar cruise control with stop-and-go assist, 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster display, rain-sensing wipers, wiper de-icer, humidity sensor, laminated glass, sunroof, illuminated scuff plates, electronic parking brake, adaptive bi-xenon headlamps with LED turn signals, LED fog lights, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors with integrated turn signals, dual exhaust, and premium floor mats.

The Ultimate adds head-up display, 12.3-inch full TFT instrument cluster display multi-view camera system, forward-view cornering camera, haptic steering wheel dial control, rear-seat entertainment system with dual 9.2-inch displays, ventilated rear seats, power rear-seat head restraints, illuminated rear-seat vanity mirrors, power rear side sunshade, power rear lumbar support, and soft-close rear doors.