I absolutely love the idea of the Hyundai Equus.

I think the car isn't the kind of car that I would want to own per se, but I still admire everything about it. I sat inside a 2013 model at the NAIAS earlier this year and if the timing worked out, I wouldn't mind at least test driving it to see how well the luxury blends with the performance.

 

Although Hyundai did pretty well with having the testicular fortitude to bring out the Equus, I still stand by my feelings that they should not continue the model after this generation in the US market.

The brand is a big factor, and I feel it is a doomed project. I may be wrong, but I'm just putting it out there.

Seems to me the better idea would be to put the money that was poured into the North American Equus project and direct it into the mainstream lineup. I think Hyundai stands a much better chance at gaining sales/profit by attacking the market where they have traditionally stood. Trying to infiltrate the luxury bracket seems a bit far out, especially if your products have the flying H logo.

And please stop copying other brand's design language. It's so cheap

 

This is a misnomer, IMO.

Maybe I've just gotten used to seeing the Equus ever since it debuted, but I've been able to see more specific Hyundai design language infused into the Equus than people are willing to admit, especially in the interior, which I think is unique.

If you look hard enough at any car, you're going to find similarities. It's as simple as that. The Equus is no different in this regard.

 

Hyundai has been experimenting with luxury cars for a while now, this Equus is hardly their first effort. They've had time to build on previous and arguably poor efforts like the Amanti and XG350 not to mention a slew of others not offered in NA.

The Equus still has a lot more maturing to do, and will probably take 2 more generations. Same goes for Cadillac. The ATS is their Equus, though to a higher standard of execution. Still the ATS suffers from a few things that need to be refined in future generations before it can truly challenge the most mature in the segment. A Cadillac full size RWD sedan will suffer from the same thing. No way will they fully challenge the new S-class on all levels in just one generation.

 

Umm...but like I said this is Hyundai's FIRST attempt at a Fullsize RWD luxury sedan.

Of course they have a lot of maturing to do. Who said they didn't? The ATS is NOT anything like the Equus. The ATS already beat the 3-series in one test the only thing that needs revising is the CUE system and Transmission. The chassis is highly superior to that of the 3-series.

 

The ATS lacks the polish that can only come from generations of refinement. General consensus is that it has a great chassis, lackluster everything else.

 

I recently reviewed a V6 ATS. Its competency includes more than just a top-handling chassis. It also has an interior that is generally well-done and well-finished, and the overall assembly quality and fit/finish is top-notch, especially compared to older GM products. But the previous poster was right. It is not the same type of car as an Equus by any means....nor was it designed to be.

I think this is a typo....the poster probably meant the Cadillac XTS, which is a flagship like the Equus.

 

It's not a typo. I didn't say the ATS competed with the Equus. The ATS and Equus are two first generation products going after world class competition.

 

OK...I suspected that might be what you were saying, but I wasn't sure. Thanks for clarifying.

 

Well technically the Equus is in its second generation and the ATS marks Cadillac's 4th entry into the entry level RWD compact luxury sedan market with the first being the Catera then first and second gen CTS and now the ATS.

 

maybe we can leave the ATS, CTS out of this thread (pretty irrelevant). thanks.

 

Hmmm

I guess the resale/depreciation on the Equus isn't looking too good.

I mean, I checked cars.com and there are a ton of preowned 2011 and 2012 Equus well under $40k.

 

LS400 was Toyotas first attempt too, and easily beat the competition. Equis is DOA.

 

Both are from the ground up brand new platforms.

 

So is the platform for the new 3-series.