Car Of The year

[Chief]

I see Motor Trend is considering the Equus for Car Of The Year. The comments about the suspension and needing more power indicate it may not be the winner.

 

[Fulorian]

Needs more power? Then I guess Lexus LS, Mercedes S550, and BMW 740i have insufficient power too.

When do you draw the line? You don't -need- more power than about 200 hp for any consumer sedan, after that you're just talking additional hp for the sake of fun/impatience.

 

[robthoke]

Needs more power? Then I guess Lexus LS, Mercedes S550, and BMW 740i have insufficient power too.

When do you draw the line? You don't -need- more power than about 200 hp for any consumer sedan, after that you're just talking additional hp for the sake of fun/impatience.

And what's wrong with that. If the 5.0L engine were available when I bought my Genesis I would have got that engine. I like power and there are times when it is nice to have on tap. I've always bought the largest engine available when I purchased a car. The only exception was our C6 Vette. I only got 436hp because I need an automatic trans. The Equus with the 4.6L engine and 6 speed auto, came in last in the 0-60 times. The 5.0L engine and 8 speed auto has been in development for years and is scheduled to go into the car anyway. It just puts the Equus on equal footing with the others.

 

[Fulorian]

I see Motor Trend is considering the Equus for Car Of The Year. The comments about the suspension and needing more power indicate it may not be the winner.

It should go to the Sonata anyway, not the Equus.

I don't understand how people want Volt or Leaf or Equus to win car of the year - it shouldn't be eligible to win those awards prior to even being on dealership lots. Seems ridiculous to me... how can you adequately evaluate, to that level, a vehicle that hasn't been in use by the public? What if every third one has the engine block fall out within 20 miles?

 

[homeofstone]

Sonata gets my vote. A loaded Sonata is a very nice car.

 

[tjc78]

It should go to the Sonata anyway, not the Equus.

I don't understand how people want Volt or Leaf or Equus to win car of the year - it shouldn't be eligible to win those awards prior to even being on dealership lots. Seems ridiculous to me... how can you adequately evaluate, to that level, a vehicle that hasn't been in use by the public? What if every third one has the engine block fall out within 20 miles?

There many vehicles that have won the "car of the year" award and ended up being total POSs.

Here are just a few of the bombs:
1971 Chevy Vega
1980 Chevy Citation
1993 Ford Probe
1995 Chrysler Cirrus

Its just an "on paper" award. It doesn't take reliabilty into account.

 

[YEH]

I see Motor Trend is considering the Equus for Car Of The Year. The comments about the suspension and needing more power indicate it may not be the winner.

I can see the complaint about needing more power, as for the suspension, it all depends on whether MT tested the USDM Equus w/ the latest suspension tweaks.

MotorAuthority probably has spent the most time w/ the Equus and they say...

The suspension is the most significant upgrade, as noted by Marty Padgett in his "third drive" review, as huge changes were made in the setup from the initial Korean-market test cars that first made the rounds on our roads as exhibition vehicles. Dynamics that rival its German and Japanese competitors coupled with ride comfort suiting a sedan of its size, the 2011 Hyundai Equus is the complete package--at a fraction of the usual price.

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/...ys-best-car-to-buy-2011-nominee-hyundai-equus

From the 3rd Drive...

It's in handling that we had the slightest of qualms with the Equus: those early cars drove with less precision than the Lexus LS, and well off the pace of the BMW and Benz sedans. The Equus has seen some significant suspension tuning in the past three months--engineers describe shock and bushing changes in vague terms--but it's clear from a run across the Skyline overlooking HGM HQ in Palo Alto that the Equus can now rifle off switchbacks as well as or better than the Lexus, with some of the taut ride control of the bigger Bimmers and Mercedeses. The Equus' electrohydraulic steering is pretty lovely, too--it's the ideal blend of motors where they save energy and hydraulics where linear, consistent feel are required. The vagueness at traction limits from prior drives has gone away, and what's left is an appealing driving "smallness" that doesn't go harsh at all, even with 20-inch wheels and tires.

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1049029_2011-hyundai-equus-third-drive/page-2