18 Equus Questions

[cliffbig]

I just posted these questions at the Hyundai Think Tank Equus forum, but thought I'd share them here as well.

I have a 2009 Genesis and have put down a $500 deposit for an Equus with Ken Flanagan, Equus Specialist at Ed Voyles Hyundai in Marietta, GA. However, these are questions that have arisen since then. Many of the features I ask about on the Equus are included, for instance, on the BMW 5 series, so it's not unreasonable to evaluate the Equus for their inclusion/exclusion (And I'm getting a price of approximately $65,000 for a well-equipped 530, including the comfort seat package for both front seats, as well as a much more sophisticated audio/nav hard drive system).

Questions regarding the Equus:

(1) Why was the automatic door closing feature removed from the US model? When the Korean model was demonstrated to me at Ed Voyles late last year, it had an automatic door closer that would fully close/secure the door when it was partially closed. An Ed Voyles tech rep told me today that the feature was no longer included in the American version of the car.

(2) Will the Equus devote hard drive space to music storage? The Genesis is one of the few hard drive equipped vehicles without this feature.

(3) Why does the front passenger seat offer so few comfort features, while the rear passenger seat is fully equipped? This is America; we don't generally use chauffeurs, and Driving Miss Daisy is not a representation of current driving habits.

(4) Is navigation interaction improved over the Genesis system?

(5) I drove a 2011 Genesis and noticed that the steering wheel had far less adjustability/range of motion than my 2009 Genesis. Which more accurately reflects the range of adjustment on the Equus steering wheel?

(6) What is the range of vehicle height adjustment on the suspension? The documentation given to the techs indicated that the vehicle height could be lowered/raised slightly for easy of entry, but they didn't know how much adjustment was possible.

(7) Does iPod integration take advantage of voice features? That is, can I choose iPod playlists, randomize tracks, etc. with voice controls?

(8) Is phonebook importation available from the iPhone, and is the phonebook limited to a mere 200 numbers, as the Genesis is?

(9) Is A2DP bluetooth audio supported in the Equus Lexicon? If so, to what degree? Will steering wheel controls affect A2DP-connected bluetooth devices such as iPhones?

(10) Is there iPad integration in the vehicle, both for A2DP streaming and/or for audio/video?

(11) Does the vehicle have any capability of internet connection while parked in range of wireless networks? (Few cars offer this, but I see that LIncoln is including it for uploading Google travel maps to your nav system, etc.)

(12) Does the audio system offer "pause and play" radio features as several General Motors vehicles do, allowing users to back up and replay radio by taking advantage of hard drive space?

(13) Does the Equus offer individual volume control for the center channel, as Acura 5.1 sound systems do?

(14) Will the car use the Equus emblem in place of any/all Hyundai symbols, or will it still be branded with the Hyundai leaning H?

(15) Have persistent and all too common problems with temporary Lexicon failures-to-perform issues (until the vehicle resets after being turned off for five or so minutes) been resolved?

(16) Can user settings (radio stations, phone numbers, etc.) be downloaded to a USB drive and restored after system updates, etc.?

(17) The Genesis' Dunlop tires are considered sub-par by many, and even dealers acknowledge that the tires show unusually heavy wear after only 15,000 miles. Is Hyundai using higher-quality tires on the Equus?

(18) Considering the many Lexicon and tech-related glitches, the short 3-year warranty on the audio system is problematic. Is Hyundai expanding that warranty for Equus tech?

Thanks for any info you can give regarding these questions. My Equus Specialist and the techs at Ed Voyles were not sure of the answers to any of these questions. These are common features on many of the competing vehicles that the Equus hopes to match or surpass, but I've heard nothing regarding these specifics.

 

[MHT]

I just posted these questions at the Hyundai Think Tank Equus forum, but thought I'd share them here as well.

I have a 2009 Genesis and have put down a $500 deposit for an Equus with Ken Flanagan, Equus Specialist at Ed Voyles Hyundai in Marietta, GA. However, these are questions that have arisen since then. Many of the features I ask about on the Equus are included, for instance, on the BMW 5 series, so it's not unreasonable to evaluate the Equus for their inclusion/exclusion (And I'm getting a price of approximately $65,000 for a well-equipped 530, including the comfort seat package for both front seats, as well as a much more sophisticated audio/nav hard drive system).

Questions regarding the Equus:

(1) Why was the automatic door closing feature removed from the US model? When the Korean model was demonstrated to me at Ed Voyles late last year, it had an automatic door closer that would fully close/secure the door when it was partially closed. An Ed Voyles tech rep told me today that the feature was no longer included in the American version of the car.

(2) Will the Equus devote hard drive space to music storage? The Genesis is one of the few hard drive equipped vehicles without this feature.

(3) Why does the front passenger seat offer so few comfort features, while the rear passenger seat is fully equipped? This is America; we don't generally use chauffeurs, and Driving Miss Daisy is not a representation of current driving habits.

(4) Is navigation interaction improved over the Genesis system?

(5) I drove a 2011 Genesis and noticed that the steering wheel had far less adjustability/range of motion than my 2009 Genesis. Which more accurately reflects the range of adjustment on the Equus steering wheel?

(6) What is the range of vehicle height adjustment on the suspension? The documentation given to the techs indicated that the vehicle height could be lowered/raised slightly for easy of entry, but they didn't know how much adjustment was possible.

(7) Does iPod integration take advantage of voice features? That is, can I choose iPod playlists, randomize tracks, etc. with voice controls?

(8) Is phonebook importation available from the iPhone, and is the phonebook limited to a mere 200 numbers, as the Genesis is?

(9) Is A2DP bluetooth audio supported in the Equus Lexicon? If so, to what degree? Will steering wheel controls affect A2DP-connected bluetooth devices such as iPhones?

(10) Is there iPad integration in the vehicle, both for A2DP streaming and/or for audio/video?

(11) Does the vehicle have any capability of internet connection while parked in range of wireless networks? (Few cars offer this, but I see that LIncoln is including it for uploading Google travel maps to your nav system, etc.)

(12) Does the audio system offer "pause and play" radio features as several General Motors vehicles do, allowing users to back up and replay radio by taking advantage of hard drive space?

(13) Does the Equus offer individual volume control for the center channel, as Acura 5.1 sound systems do?

(14) Will the car use the Equus emblem in place of any/all Hyundai symbols, or will it still be branded with the Hyundai leaning H?

(15) Have persistent and all too common problems with temporary Lexicon failures-to-perform issues (until the vehicle resets after being turned off for five or so minutes) been resolved?

(16) Can user settings (radio stations, phone numbers, etc.) be downloaded to a USB drive and restored after system updates, etc.?

(17) The Genesis' Dunlop tires are considered sub-par by many, and even dealers acknowledge that the tires show unusually heavy wear after only 15,000 miles. Is Hyundai using higher-quality tires on the Equus?

(18) Considering the many Lexicon and tech-related glitches, the short 3-year warranty on the audio system is problematic. Is Hyundai expanding that warranty for Equus tech?

Thanks for any info you can give regarding these questions. My Equus Specialist and the techs at Ed Voyles were not sure of the answers to any of these questions. These are common features on many of the competing vehicles that the Equus hopes to match or surpass, but I've heard nothing regarding these specifics.

In short as with the Genesis some things are being left off of the Koean Version of the Eqqus to keep the cost of the car down. When you compare the price of the Equus to the 530 you are getting a whole lot of car for less money. I admit I do not know why putting a few more features on the passenger seat would cause the price to sky rocket but when you keep adding on you would be surprised.
I had a 2007 Lexus LS460 and after all the issues I had with the car I said I would never ever spend that kind of money for a car. Every time I get in my Genesis 4.6 I am amazed that this car has some features that my LS460 did not have and the car cost so much less. I like the Genesis much better than I did the LS460. The only difference that I find between the LS460 and the Genesis 4.6 is the firmer ride of the Genesis but because of the firmer ride I think I have better control of the car. Now when I start to think if only they would have added this feature from the Lexus to the Genesis by the time I am finished the Genesis now has the Lexus price tag.
In my opinion the Equus will be a nice car for the price and as with the Genesis the missing features would not be a deal breaker for me. I may be wrong but you may find that the features you are asking about you may be able to live without.
I purchased the LS460 with in weeks after it was introduced. I am glad that I waited until a few years after it's introduction to buy the Genesis. If money is no object get what you want. There is nothing worse than driving around in a car that you are not happy with. If you get the Eqqus post plenty of pictures.

Good Luck

 

[cliffbig]

In short as with the Genesis some things are being left off of the Koean Version of the Eqqus to keep the cost of the car down. When you compare the price of the Equus to the 530 you are getting a whole lot of car for less money.

Surprisngly, not so much. I priced out a 530 with the features I wanted, including comfort seats for both driver and passenger (my wife is not interested in riding in the back seat, so the Equus rear-seat comfort package has little appeeal for us), nav, iPod interface, hard drive music storage, automatic door closers, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, parking assistant, auto-dimming mirrors, power trunk lid, xm, etc.--and it comes in at just under $65k, the same price being rumored for the Equus Ultimate Package. The BMW also includes 4YR/50Kmi service at no additional charge. The BMW is 10" shorter, but much of that extra length in the Equus is devoted to increased rear-seat space--something that is of less importance to me, since my wife and I rarely travel with any other passengers.

Not sure what I'll get, if I get anything--but the absence of most-current tech improvements on the Equus, combined with the removal of at least one convenience feature, makes me less enthused about the Equus than I was initially.I still have my deposit down for one, but the next few weeks will tell if i follow through with that or pass.

 

[MHT]

Surprisngly, not so much. I priced out a 530 with the features I wanted, including comfort seats for both driver and passenger (my wife is not interested in riding in the back seat, so the Equus rear-seat comfort package has little appeeal for us), nav, iPod interface, hard drive music storage, automatic door closers, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, parking assistant, auto-dimming mirrors, power trunk lid, xm, etc.--and it comes in at just under $65k, the same price being rumored for the Equus Ultimate Package. The BMW also includes 4YR/50Kmi service at no additional charge. The BMW is 10" shorter, but much of that extra length in the Equus is devoted to increased rear-seat space--something that is of less importance to me, since my wife and I rarely travel with any other passengers.

Not sure what I'll get, if I get anything--but the absence of most-current tech improvements on the Equus, combined with the removal of at least one convenience feature, makes me less enthused about the Equus than I was initially.I still have my deposit down for one, but the next few weeks will tell if i follow through with that or pass.

I meant to say features left off of the US version. I thought they were only
bringing the base model to the US with a price tag of appx $55,000.00.

 

[msitter]

Two things that I did not get on the Genesis that my wife got with her BMW were 1) service adviser on speed dial and 2) a personalized service bay exclusively for her BMW. The Genesis has never had a close relationship with the repair facility since it has never had a problem. That said, BMW service is great, never questioning any problem and always returning the car clean but the number of visits to correct little problems is awful. I have not seen an Equus up close but since the 5 series is smaller than the Genesis, I don't see how the 6 cyl, 240hp 530i is even in the same league as the Equus in anything more than price. A more similar comparison is a 750iL, similar size and power output. The problem that I see is that Hyundai is being held to an inconsistent standard, people want all the features of the $100k car. While it would be nice to have every feature invented for every car, they are not all available on any car. At some point the designers and marketing people have to make a decision on the features that fit a price point and will satisfy the largest number of potential buyers. Unlike BMW there is no system to order cars from the factory and wait the 2-2.5 months it takes to arrive so the limit on equipment choice is necessary. My original plan was to get a 550i or a MB E550 but when I saw how many little repairs that my wife's car needs and the fact that they are both $70k when similarly equipped to my Genesis and then the incredible depreciation on both of those(2 yr old 5 series same price as 3 series), the Genesis fit the bill perfectly. If and when I want a bigger car, I will give the Equus a close look.

 

[msitter]

One thing I forgot to mention was the concern about tires. All BMWs come with runflat tires because BMW decided that a spare tire was unnecessary( along with a dipstick for oil checking). They do not wear any better than the crappy Dunlops we get from Hyundai, they ride horribly, they cost about $2000.00 to replace and if you get a flat on one they cannot be repaired.

 

[Seattle Genesis]

I was and may still consider an Equus, but only the 2012 model year. I see alot of American made cars out there that are more advanced in the tech stuff than Genesis, Equus or even BMW and Mercedes. Im not so sure that I can lay out over 50K for a car thats not all that sophisticated. Dont get me wrong. Im not bashing Hyundai. They make a very good car (not including the suspension ). So when 2011 / 2012 cars start coming out I will have to look very very hard at all the available competition and figure it out from there.

IMO !!

Seattle Genesis

 

[ctrcbob]

Cliff,

You put a $500 deposit down on a car that has not been introduced, and that you have eighteen questions about?
????????????????????????????????????????????????

I would just wait for introduction to get the questions answered. If I liked the answers, only then would I buy the car. If I did not like the answers, then I would buy the BMW you talk about. (BTW, I had a BMW and found that the price far exceeded the value - which is a nice way to say it was a POS).

 

[cliffbig]

Cliff,

You put a $500 deposit down on a car that has not been introduced, and that you have eighteen questions about?

Yep. If it's good, I wanted to have one right away. If it's not good enough to be worth the money, I get my $500 back, and the interest the bank is paying on $500 for one month isn't even enough to buy a soda, so I'm not really out anything for the deposit that ensures my place in line. Right now, the only person on the list ahead of me is either the wife or daughter of the owner of the Marietta Hyundai franchise I'm dealing with, if I understand correctly.

I'm aware that I may not get the answers to those questions until the car is actually in house--but if the answers turn out to be satisfactory, I'll be ready to write the check.

 

[danieltoye101@msn.com]

Cliffbig,
I can guarrentee you that if you are one of the 2000-3000 first time buyers of the new Hyundai Equus Hyundai will do everything in their power in making the customers satisfied. They are keenly aware of the mistakes that VW 7 years ago and they are betting their rising reputation on this vehicle. Hyundai is going to treat you like royalty and not just another customer.

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