2015 Hyundai Equus

NEW FOR 2015:

- New colours: Caspian Black, Casablanca White, Parisian Grey, Santiago Silver

Other than a slight adjustment to the colour pallet’s naming scheme, Hyundai’s flagship Equus carries over into 2015 without any changes.

Following in the footsteps of Toyota’s Lexus brand, the Equus offers up premium amenities and technologies backed by an unprecedented warranty. Did we mention it’s over $25,000 less expensive than the least expensive Lexus LS?

Understated on the outside, but luxurious and technologically sophisticated on the inside, the Equus offers drivers a comfort-oriented experience thanks to standard air-ride suspension and effortless acceleration thanks to a standard V8 powertrain. Impressively, all Equus models come standard with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go assist, blind spot monitoring, tri-zone climate control, Lexicon-brand speakers (the same as what are used by Rolls-Royce) and a five-year, 100,000 kilometre comprehensive warranty. Other amenities include an available head-up display, 12.3-inch full TFT instrument cluster display, and surround-view camera system.

In addition, the Equus includes concierge service, where the dealer will pick up the car when servicing is required and leave a loaner vehicle, and an iPad with Equus application that also has the owner’s manual in the device.

The Equus rides on a lengthened version of the outgoing Genesis’ platform and comes standard with three-mode air suspension. Powering the Equus is a direct-injected 5.0-litre V8 paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, unlike most of its rivals, the Equus is rear-drive only. Two trims are available: Signature and Ultimate.

Features on the Signature include 19-inch alloy wheels, air suspension with continuous damping control, proximity key with push-button start, tri-zone climate control, leather-wrapped dashboard, wood trim, premium leather upholstery, suede cloth headliner, 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat, 10-way power adjustable front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, memory for seat, mirror and steering wheel, heated leather and wood-trimmed steering wheel, power tilt and telescoping steering column, AM/FM/CD/DVD and satellite radio, 17-speaker Lexicon sound system, 9.2-inch display audio system with navigation, trip computer, iPod and USB port, Bluetooth, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera, cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, radar cruise control with stop-and-go assist, 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster display, rain-sensing wipers, wiper de-icer, humidity sensor, laminated glass, sunroof, illuminated scuff plates, electronic parking brake, adaptive bi-xenon headlamps with LED turn signals, LED fog lights, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors with integrated turn signals, dual exhaust, and premium floor mats.

The Ultimate adds head-up display, 12.3-inch full TFT instrument cluster display multi-view camera system, forward-view cornering camera, haptic steering wheel dial control, rear-seat entertainment system with dual 9.2-inch displays, ventilated rear seats, power rear-seat head restraints, illuminated rear-seat vanity mirrors, power rear side sunshade, power trunk lid, power rear lumbar support, and soft-close rear doors.