2012 Genesis vs 2011 EQUSS

[hwks1]

Had my Genesis in for it's first oil change so I took the opportunity to drive a 2011 EQUSS......really not impressed.

I was considering maybe upgrading to the EQUSS....but then I drove it. Honestly my first reaction was that EQUSS was not as nice? What's with the plastic bezel on the clock? The headliner is nicer but most of the materials otherwise was equal or not as nice as my Genesis. The leather did not have the same feel as that in my Genesis, the overhead console while near identical in appearance 'creaked' anywhere you touched it. The rear seat overhead lights are cheap plastic.

The drive and ride quality felt about the same but the heavier EQUSS is under powered by the 4.6. Is it me or is the Genesis quieter on the road? That was my initial reaction....I was trying to avoid any bias feelings.

In short I have decided to forget the EQUSS and I would tell Hyundai they have a lot of work to do on that car....it's just not a worthy upgrade from the Genesis

 

[newman]

Had my Genesis in for it's first oil change so I took the opportunity to drive a 2011 EQUSS......really not impressed.

I was considering maybe upgrading to the EQUSS....but then I drove it. Honestly my first reaction was that EQUSS was not as nice? What's with the plastic bezel on the clock? The headliner is nicer but most of the materials otherwise was equal or not as nice as my Genesis. The leather did not have the same feel as that in my Genesis, the overhead console while near identical in appearance 'creaked' anywhere you touched it. The rear seat overhead lights are cheap plastic.

The drive and ride quality felt about the same but the heavier EQUSS is under powered by the 4.6. Is it me or is the Genesis quieter on the road? That was my initial reaction....I was trying to avoid any bias feelings.

In short I have decided to forget the EQUSS and I would tell Hyundai they have a lot of work to do on that car....it's just not a worthy upgrade from the Genesis

I would be interested in hearing feedback from Equus owners who came from a Genesis. Before I owned my Gene I test drove an Equus and loved it. In fact, that moment is what turned around my impression of Hyundai as a manufacturer. I felt that the car had copious power, was silent and very high class.

Now that I have owned my Genesis for a month or so I would be interested to see if my reaction to driving the Equus has changed at all. However, seeing as I avoid my local dealers like the plague it will be sometime before I have the opportunity to try it again!

Cheers,
Newman

 

[hwks1]

I want to step back from my assertion that the Genesis might be more quiet...I think I was expecting so much more from the EQUSS and that led me to judge too quickly. I would say the two cars are equal in quietness. I would also say that the leather is equal...

The EQUSS on par disappointed me. I did notice cheap plastic that I was not expecting from a $60k car. I went in thinking I might upgrade, I left thinking extra gadgets aside it was a poor value. It didn't ride better but the rear seat comfort is a big bonus....too bad about those cheap plastic (I'm talking embarrassingly cheap) reading lights in the back seat and also no 'pass through' to the trunk.

 

[wantonfly]

I'm on the same page with you hwks1. I test drove the r-spec earlier this month, and before I could move forward, I had to take a look at the Equus signature in person. I drove to a dealer in a major city and compared the two cars side by side in the showroom. I would echo your thoughts that the interior of the Equus left me disappointed to the extent I did not want to test drive it. Like you, maybe my expectations were too high. Also, the interior space did not feel much bigger than that of the Genesis'. These factors combined with the price differential solidified my thoughts that the Genesis is better for me. Now I just need to negotiate for an acceptable price, and hopefully become a full member of this forum soon. Oh yeah, thanks to all the posters on this forum; I find opinions here extremely educated and mostly unbiased.

 

[Mark_888]

Had my Genesis in for it's first oil change so I took the opportunity to drive a 2011 EQUSS......really not impressed.

Since you are having so much trouble speeling Equus correctly, I would not even consider it if I were you.

But with regard to leather, my guess is that the Equus leather is just thicker and maybe a little stiffer when new.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Couldn't be happier with mine.
Details/reviews are in various threads here.

 

[jake the snake]

As a 2009 3.8 tech Geny owner waiting to take delivery on my new 2012 Equus, I can tell you that there is a big improvement with the new Equus.

For one, the seats in the Equus are SOOOO much more confortable, cooling on the two front seats and heating on the four. Just the rear room is worth it to me.

Then there is the ride. The 5,0 with the 8 speed is totaly awsome, the air ride is so smooth. The interieur is so quiet that you can now hear every crack in the pavement. You cant hear any wind and if you dont look at the tach, you wont even know that the engine is on.

All the new Gagets, they are great, keep them comming.

Maybe I'm geting old, but a big luxo sedan is what I'm looking for this time.
Maybe next time I will feel more Sportier.

Just my 2 cents

CIAO

 

[NOLa]

Opinions are subjective, but I highly disagree with the OP (big surprise there, right).

I think it is human nature to somehow confirm you made the right purchase or decision with whatever car you wind up buying.

Another case in point is some are saying the 2012 ride is so improved and many others expressed a huge disappointment with the ride still. The fact that Seattle Genesis bought an R-spec still floors me (but I'm happy for him). How can everyone be correct. Is the ride better or not? Depends on who you ask.

I've written my opinion elsewhere, but after my 2 Genny ownerships(2009, 2011), I love my Equus, and having them bring me Genny loaners while the Equus is in the shop confirms it for me every time. I had a 2011 Genny and certainly didn't need a new car, that's how much more I liked the Equus.

I have also posted this elsewhere, but the Genesis has it's niche, and the Equus has it niche, and they are not the same car. Some here, like the OP, simply prefer the Genny, and that's OK. It is a more nimble car than the Equus. I have never found the Equus to be underpowered, and I find the fact that a car takes a minute more to go from 0 to 60 is an absolute non-factor to me.

I really had to remind myself about the subjectivity of opinions when the OP said the ride, quality and noise level was better in the Genny, because I feel the exact opposite. I wouldn't have switched from a 2011 Genny to a 2011 Equus just to spend more money. I have said it before and I'll say it again. The Equus is not an upgraded Genny. They are two different types of cars (IMHO). Just like some here prefer the 3.8, or the 4.6 or the R-spec, some might prefer the Equus. We all have one thing in common...we all took a chance on a high end Hyundai brand.


NOLa

 

[dg_moore]

As a 2009 3.8 tech Geny owner waiting to take delivery on my new 2012 Equus, I can tell you that there is a big improvement with the new Equus.

For one, the seats in the Equus are SOOOO much more confortable, cooling on the two front seats and heating on the four. Just the rear room is worth it to me.

Then there is the ride. The 5,0 with the 8 speed is totaly awsome, the air ride is so smooth. The interieur is so quiet that you can now hear every crack in the pavement. You cant hear any wind and if you dont look at the tach, you wont even know that the engine is on.

All the new Gagets, they are great, keep them comming.

Maybe I'm geting old, but a big luxo sedan is what I'm looking for this time.
Maybe next time I will feel more Sportier.

Just my 2 cents

CIAO

I'm definitely getting old, and I like luxo as well, but a significant part of the cost of the Equus is in back seat amenities. Since I never use my back seat, and the extra gadgetry isn't worth it to me, I can't justify the cost. Even if cost weren't an issue I don't think I'd go for the Equus myself.

 

[musher51]

Since you are having so much trouble speeling Equus correctly, I would not even consider it if I were you.

Anyone else chuckling at the irony in this post? Sorry, Mark...couldn't resist.

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[acoga]

Anyone else chuckling at the irony in this post? Sorry, Mark...couldn't resist.

Ha! My eyes did some kind of weird spelling autocorrect -- I didn't even notice the first time I read it until you quoted it. That IS ironic!

 

[nextcar]

Opinions are subjective, but I highly disagree with the OP (big surprise there, right).

I think it is human nature to somehow confirm you made the right purchase or decision with whatever car you wind up buying.

Another case in point is some are saying the 2012 ride is so improved and many others expressed a huge disappointment with the ride still. The fact that Seattle Genesis bought an R-spec still floors me (but I'm happy for him). How can everyone be correct. Is the ride better or not? Depends on who you ask.

I've written my opinion elsewhere, but after my 2 Genny ownerships(2009, 2011), I love my Equus, and having them bring me Genny loaners while the Equus is in the shop confirms it for me every time. I had a 2011 Genny and certainly didn't need a new car, that's how much more I liked the Equus.

I have also posted this elsewhere, but the Genesis has it's niche, and the Equus has it niche, and they are not the same car. Some here, like the OP, simply prefer the Genny, and that's OK. It is a more nimble car than the Equus. I have never found the Equus to be underpowered, and I find the fact that a car takes a minute more to go from 0 to 60 is an absolute non-factor to me.

I really had to remind myself about the subjectivity of opinions when the OP said the ride, quality and noise level was better in the Genny, because I feel the exact opposite. I wouldn't have switched from a 2011 Genny to a 2011 Equus just to spend more money. I have said it before and I'll say it again. The Equus is not an upgraded Genny. They are two different types of cars (IMHO). Just like some here prefer the 3.8, or the 4.6 or the R-spec, some might prefer the Equus. We all have one thing in common...we all took a chance on a high end Hyundai brand.


NOLa

although i haven't driven the Equus, what NOLa says makes sense. the Equus is a bigger, heavier car with a softer air suspension, so it makes sense that it's a more comfortable ride.
as far as noise level, it might be a bit better as well. but, when the genesis is already so quiet, as numerous magazines (including consumer reports) with their instrumented measurements to back it up, there aren't many cars out there that can be quieter.
there may be a few cars that are slightly quieter, i'm guessing an S class or 7 series or Equus, but i doubt it's a dramatic difference.

 

[YEH]

Here's CR's video review of the Equus.

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/09/test-complete-video-hyundai-equus.html

 

[hwks1]

I have never found the Equus to be underpowered, and I find the fact that a car takes a minute more to go from 0 to 60 is an absolute non-factor to me.

NOLa

I admit my choice of words were an over statement... the 4.6 Equus us not under powered but it doesn't move the car as spritely as the 4.6 Genesis...its a heavier car. I suspect the 5.0 will be much better for the added weight of the vehicle

 

[Mark_888]

Anyone else chuckling at the irony in this post? Sorry, Mark...couldn't resist.

OK, because of my mistake, I promise I will not consider buying a car named "speeling".

 

[NOLa]

I admit my choice of words were an over statement... the 4.6 Equus us not under powered but it doesn't move the car as spritely as the 4.6 Genesis...its a heavier car. I suspect the 5.0 will be much better for the added weight of the vehicle

I would absolutely agree with you on the 4.6 Genny. When you press the pedal, it feels like that car just goes with no effort. I wrote in a previous post that I even drive the Equus different from the Genny.

NOLa

 

[dbthompson]

OK, because of my mistake, I promise I will not consider buying a car named "speeling".

Aww, Mark, when I read "speeling," I thought you were making a double-irony point. Just a typo, eh?

 

[Mark_888]

Aww, Mark, when I read "speeling," I thought you were making a double-irony point. Just a typo, eh?

My browser doesn't have a spell checker, and I can't get ieSpell to work on Win 7.

 

[mikec]

I have never found the Equus to be underpowered, and I find the fact that a car takes a minute more to go from 0 to 60 is an absolute non-factor to me.

I hope the Equus is a little faster than that - an extra minute to reach 60 MPH? I assume you meant extra second. or extra moment. Otherwise it'd be way slower than my 78 horsepower Corolla!

mike c.

 

[NOLa]

Just a generalization, mikec.

NOLa