REPORT: Hyundai Equus coming to the States in July 2010, priced under $60,000

[Sal Collaziano]

Well according to autodata even in this market BMW sold 2,500 7 series in January. That is about what Hyundai hopes the Genesis Sedan would do.

Just out of curiosity - do you know how many 3-Series they sold?

 

[wallymn]

3 series sold 142,490 sold in 2008. Almost 12,000 a month.

 

[mlachner@grupoq.com]

Hi.... Just came back from the HMC WORLD CONVENTION in Jeju, Korea. I had the opportunity to see it in detail inside and out. I also had the chance to drive the car at the proving grounds near Seoul. Drove both the 3.8 and the 4.6, not the Tau though. The car will be able to compete with any luxury brand. I would drive this car anywhere without any regrets and with $$$$$$ in my pocket. The car is amazing, worth to consider.

 

[dataguy]

3 series sold 142,490 sold in 2008. Almost 12,000 a month.

And I think most of them ended up in SoCal. You can throw a rock and have a good chance of hitting either a 3-series or a C-class.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Hi.... Just came back from the HMC WORLD CONVENTION in Jeju, Korea. I had the opportunity to see it in detail inside and out. I also had the chance to drive the car at the proving grounds near Seoul. Drove both the 3.8 and the 4.6, not the Tau though. The car will be able to compete with any luxury brand. I would drive this car anywhere without any regrets and with $$$$$$ in my pocket. The car is amazing, worth to consider.

Welcome! Now wait... 4.6 but not the Tau?

 

[MarkF001]

Welcome! Now wait... 4.6 but not the Tau?

So it's the Mercedis engine that they cann't bring to the States ?

 

[G-Man]

The Equus will be MUCH bigger than the Genesis.



I believe the Equus will have "road presence" - that along with the fact that it's going to have nearly every feature an S550 or 750Li has - it'll be a "statement" car...

It's not that much bigger. It seems bigger on the outside (the sheet metal gives it the appearance of greater volume) but inside it's not appreciably larger.

It's a beautiful vehicle and well appointed (the suede headliner is a bit much). I like the multi-view camera, although I don't know how much I'd use it.

 

[musher51]

Hi.... Just came back from the HMC WORLD CONVENTION in Jeju, Korea. I had the opportunity to see it in detail inside and out. I also had the chance to drive the car at the proving grounds near Seoul. Drove both the 3.8 and the 4.6, not the Tau though. The car will be able to compete with any luxury brand. I would drive this car anywhere without any regrets and with $$$$$$ in my pocket. The car is amazing, worth to consider.

I just got back from a few weeks in Korea, too, and while I saw a lot of Equus on the streets of Seoul, they sure didn't look like the photo gallery at the top of this page! The Equus in Korea is a very staid, boxy looking car, so I have to assume HMC substantially redesigned it for a NA intro. Good thing, too, as I don't think the version I saw in Korea would sell particularly well here.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

It's not that much bigger. It seems bigger on the outside (the sheet metal gives it the appearance of greater volume) but inside it's not appreciably larger.

It's a beautiful vehicle and well appointed (the suede headliner is a bit much). I like the multi-view camera, although I don't know how much I'd use it.

It's wider and longer... More noticeably longer...

I just got back from a few weeks in Korea, too, and while I saw a lot of Equus on the streets of Seoul, they sure didn't look like the photo gallery at the top of this page! The Equus in Korea is a very staid, boxy looking car, so I have to assume HMC substantially redesigned it for a NA intro. Good thing, too, as I don't think the version I saw in Korea would sell particularly well here.

The Equus we're talking about is the newer version. This is the third design of Equus. The boxy one you saw was an older version.

 

[dataguy]

Whether it's significantly bigger or not, it feels much more substantial, looks bigger, and has more interior room that the Genesis both in the front and the back. That's based on the demo model I sat in last month.

The only area that doesn't look bigger is the trunk. Looked relatively similar to the Genesis in capacity, making me think they used the extra inches for the cabin instead.

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[YEH]

Welcome! Now wait... 4.6 but not the Tau?

So it's the Mercedis engine that they cann't bring to the States ?

Probably meant not the 5.0 Tau.

I just got back from a few weeks in Korea, too, and while I saw a lot of Equus on the streets of Seoul, they sure didn't look like the photo gallery at the top of this page! The Equus in Korea is a very staid, boxy looking car, so I have to assume HMC substantially redesigned it for a NA intro. Good thing, too, as I don't think the version I saw in Korea would sell particularly well here.

That's the 1st gen - which is a 10 yr old design co-developed w/ Mitsu.

The Equus we're talking about is the newer version. This is the third design of Equus. The boxy one you saw was an older version.

The new Equus is 2nd gen, but if you count a mild refresh of the 1st gen, would be the 3rd "design" of the model.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Thank you for the correction/clarification! That's what I meant to say...

The new Equus is 2nd gen, but if you count a mild refresh of the 1st gen, would be the 3rd "design" of the model.

 

[santosonly]

As I said I hope I am wrong, I am not the target market for the Equus, I think my father would be. When I asked him if he would buy a Hyundai if it had all the features of his BMW (750L) at half the price, he laughed. He said he couldn't see driving that to the golf club or the harbor... I asked him to poll his friends at the club, (not scientific) and will let you know what the results are.

I should say that in his circle Lexus is looked down on and Infiniti isn't considered a luxury brand. I have learned to rent a Caddy when visiting so as not to upset the locals .

I agree and much respect to your Dad and his friends. But how sad that many spend their own money on what other people like/expect. My answer to that is folks can spend / waste their money on what is pleasing to others, meanwhile I will take the difference and spend it on what I want. I do understand that certain circles don't buy their cars based on the objectivity of product surveyors like Consumer Reports / JD Powers and Associates, etc. No, they base it on the much higher value system = what their friends dictate to them to buy, (please forgive the touch of sarcasm). If my friends think that for me to be accepted I have to own a MB, then they will have to buy if form me. Until then, if I have to spend my own money, I will buy what I like.

Finally, on a recent cross country trip from Florida to Missouri, when parked near other luxury cars, it was the Genesis, not the BMW / MB that garnered the most attention, excitement, and questions. This is where those who make purchases to stay in the "click" lose on both ends. They spend more money on a car that blends in so much so, that it is not even noticed, (except by those whom have peer presured them into getting what they approve of). If Hyundai's success continues, those spending money on higher priced cars simply for the "snob" factor will be viewed as odd and unwise. It's like the theory of evolution, just because it's popular, doesn't make it right. With the Equus / Genesis Prestige, (or whatever they are calling it these days), coming out soon, the only way I would buy a S-Class or another 7 series is if they come down in price. Otherwise, besides the "snob" factor, it won't make sense.

 

[wallymn]

I agree and much respect to your Dad and his friends. But how sad that many spend their own money on what other people like/expect. My answer to that is folks can spend / waste their money on what is pleasing to others, meanwhile I will take the difference and spend it on what I want. I do understand that certain circles don't buy their cars based on the objectivity of product surveyors like Consumer Reports / JD Powers and Associates, etc. No, they base it on the much higher value system = what their friends dictate to them to buy, (please forgive the touch of sarcasm). If my friends think that for me to be accepted I have to own a MB, then they will have to buy if form me. Until then, if I have to spend my own money, I will buy what I like.

Finally, on a recent cross country trip from Florida to Missouri, when parked near other luxury cars, it was the Genesis, not the BMW / MB that garnered the most attention, excitement, and questions. This is where those who make purchases to stay in the "click" lose on both ends. They spend more money on a car that blends in so much so, that it is not even noticed, (except by those whom have peer presured them into getting what they approve of). If Hyundai's success continues, those spending money on higher priced cars simply for the "snob" factor will be viewed as odd and unwise. It's like the theory of evolution, just because it's popular, doesn't make it right. With the Equus / Genesis Prestige, (or whatever they are calling it these days), coming out soon, the only way I would buy a S-Class or another 7 series is if they come down in price. Otherwise, besides the "snob" factor, it won't make sense.

I completely agree, If you "winged" the Genesis I know my father's circle of friends would love the car.


I think as the "newness" wears off Genesis will get a little less attention from passer byes, the most common question I got was "Nice car - what is it?" as people learn what the car is, interest will naturally fade...

 

[LLT]

My next vehicle will most likely be the LS. I can't say that I'd even consider the Equus unless it's at least $15-20k cheaper. I care less about the "statement" and more about the experience. While Hyundai sends out pretty license plate frames and token roadside cards (I think both are nice gestures, for the record) - Hyundai is not on the Lexus level of service as of yet, nor can they be so long as the same people selling and servicing Equus' are also selling and servicing Accents. My Hyundai dealer even sells Chryslers -- and it shows.

Sorry, I think Hyundai has come a long, long way - but they're not ready to compete with the Lexus LS / S Class / 7 Series. Kudos to them for trying though.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

My next vehicle will most likely be the LS. I can't say that I'd even consider the Equus unless it's at least $15-20k cheaper. I care less about the "statement" and more about the experience. While Hyundai sends out pretty license plate frames and token roadside cards (I think both are nice gestures, for the record) - Hyundai is not on the Lexus level of service as of yet, nor can they be so long as the same people selling and servicing Equus' are also selling and servicing Accents. My Hyundai dealer even sells Chryslers -- and it shows.

Sorry, I think Hyundai has come a long, long way - but they're not ready to compete with the Lexus LS / S Class / 7 Series. Kudos to them for trying though.

I agree.. While Hyundai's vehicles have come a long, long, long way - their sales and service experiences are (in my opinion) bad. "Bad". Actually "bad". I really hope they do something about this very soon because these vehicles are really, really nice. Look at the Genesis.. Such a great luxury car - but many people won't even consider it because of the service they'd receive.

I'm sure many people here will disagree with me - because many people DO receive good service from Hyundai - but that's not what most people experience. My wife wanted a Lexus mainly because of service. She loves her RX350 but her first choice was actually a Buick Enclave. She even pretty-much decided on the Hyundai Veracruz before a negative sales experience. She loves the way she gets treated by the Lexus service department - no matter what extra it costed. She likes the Lattes.. She likes the marble floors. She likes the massaging chairs.. Whatever.

 

[ajls09873]

Hyundai already developed 5.5 Tau engine. Probably, it will installed in Equus limousine model.

"Hyundai has been developing the bulletproof presidential limousine (such as the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard and a BMW Security 760Li), based on the 2nd generation Equus limousine"
http://www.motorauthority.com/hyundais-equus-to-be-first-korean-made-bulletproof-car.html

Maybe This vehicle will be a most low-priced 'bulletproof' limousine.

 

[jpq1999]

I agree.. While Hyundai's vehicles have come a long, long, long way - their sales and service experiences are (in my opinion) bad. "Bad". Actually "bad". I really hope they do something about this very soon because these vehicles are really, really nice. Look at the Genesis.. Such a great luxury car - but many people won't even consider it because of the service they'd receive.

I'm sure many people here will disagree with me - because many people DO receive good service from Hyundai - but that's not what most people experience. My wife wanted a Lexus mainly because of service. She loves her RX350 but her first choice was actually a Buick Enclave. She even pretty-much decided on the Hyundai Veracruz before a negative sales experience. She loves the way she gets treated by the Lexus service department - no matter what extra it costed. She likes the Lattes.. She likes the marble floors. She likes the massaging chairs.. Whatever.

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My wife has "badge envy", and drives a MB convertible. It drives her crazy that my car has gotten 1000 times the looks/stop and ask what it is/etc. I think I have figured out that the Genesis is a "guy car". Our women friends "like" my car and love hers, while 100% of the people that have looked or stopped to discuss the Genesis were guys.

My wife thinks there's too many things going on in the Genesis ("gadgets" like bluetooth/the radio control/cameras/shades, etc). I, of course, thinks she's nuts.

 

[genlux]

According to the recent Edmunds.com report, the Equus is likely to start around $48K in the USA.

"Krafcik won't get specific on price, but says enough for us to guess that the 2011 Hyundai Equus will start at $48,000 and top out at about $58,000."
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=152806

What I am wondering is if the base engine for the 2011 Equus in the USA will be the V6 or will they make the 4.6L V8 (375hp) with the six speed ZF as the base model starting at $48K and add the new 5.0L V8 (420+hp) with 8-speed transmission as the higher priced model option. The Edmunds.com ride along report suggests that the 4.6 V8 Equus should go 0-60 in around 6.1 seconds.
I had a chance to sit in the Equus in a dealer showroom recently and I loved the interior. I can't wait for reviews to come out.

 

[blasterguam]

What I am wondering is if the base engine for the 2011 Equus in the USA will be the V6 or will they make the 4.6L V8 (375hp) with the six speed ZF as the base model starting at $48K and add the new 5.0L V8 (420+hp) with 8-speed transmission as the higher priced model option.

If I was a bettin' man I would say they'd use the V6, if only to help with their compliance with CAFE standards, and at the same time capture few more customers.