Hyundai Equus — Specs, Trims, Prices & Owner Reviews
The Hyundai Equus was Hyundai's full-size luxury flagship, built from 1999 to 2016 and named for the Latin word for "horse." It reached the United States only with its second generation, going on sale here for the 2011 model year as an audacious attempt to sell an S-Class-sized sedan through Hyundai dealers — complete with valet pick-up service and an iPad in place of a printed owner's manual. Elsewhere it was sold as the Hyundai Centennial, and in Korea it was also offered as a stretched limousine and as the presidential state car.
Model years 2015–2016 · Independent buyer data
Fuel economy: 15 mpg city / 23 hwy
Hyundai Equus: General Information
The Hyundai Equus was Hyundai's full-size luxury flagship, built from 1999 to 2016 and named for the Latin word for "horse." It reached the United States only with its second generation, going on sale here for the 2011 model year as an audacious attempt to sell an S-Class-sized sedan through Hyundai dealers — complete with valet pick-up service and an iPad in place of a printed owner's manual. Elsewhere it was sold as the Hyundai Centennial, and in Korea it was also offered as a stretched limousine and as the presidential state car.
The second-generation VI car abandoned the original's front-wheel-drive layout for a rear-drive architecture developed in-house and shared in spirit with the Genesis sedan. American cars started with a 4.6-liter Tau V8 for 2011, then switched for 2012 to the 429-hp 5.0-liter Tau GDI V8 with an eight-speed automatic — the only engine the U.S. ever received. A substantial 2014 facelift brought revised styling, retuned suspension and steering, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on the Ultimate, a 9.2-inch center screen, power door closure and standard blind-spot detection. Hyundai sold the Equus in just two heavily equipped trims, Signature and Ultimate, with no factory options.
Standout traits are enormous value for the equipment — massaging and reclining rear seats, a head-up display, a 17-speaker Lexicon 7.1 audio system, rear-seat entertainment with twin 9.2-inch screens and a multi-view camera — plus 109.3 cubic feet of passenger volume and a 16.7-cubic-foot trunk. The trade-offs are 15/23 mpg on premium fuel, soft handling limits and steep depreciation. On 4 November 2015 Hyundai announced that its luxury models would move to a new Genesis division; the Equus ended after the 2016 model year and was replaced by the Genesis G90. U.S. prices ran $61,500 to $68,750 before destination.
Hyundai Equus by model year
2015 Hyundai Equus
2015 Hyundai Equus Signature
The Signature is the entry point to the 2015 Equus at $61,500 before destination, and it is essentially unchanged from 2014 — Hyundai listed the car as a carry-over year. Its sole engine is the 429-hp 5.0-liter Tau GDI V8 driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic, rated 15 mpg city and 23 highway on premium fuel. Even at the base price it arrives with a 7-inch TFT instrument display, a 9.2-inch navigation screen, blind-spot detection, front and rear parking sensors and Blue Link telematics.
2015 Hyundai Equus Ultimate
The Ultimate is the flagship 2015 Equus at $68,750 before destination — $69,700 with destination — and it is the trim that earned the car its reputation as an S-Class bargain. Over the Signature it adds a 12.3-inch fully digital TFT instrument cluster, a head-up display, a 17-speaker Lexicon 7.1 audio system, rear-seat entertainment with two 9.2-inch screens, massaging and reclining rear seats with power lumbar, a forward-view cornering camera and power door closure assist. Mechanically it is identical to the Signature.
2016 Hyundai Equus
2016 Hyundai Equus Signature
2016 is the Equus's final model year in the United States, and pricing held exactly where it had been — $61,500 before destination for the Signature. The 429-hp 5.0-liter Tau GDI V8, eight-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic and 15/23 mpg EPA rating all carry over unchanged. Hyundai had already announced in November 2015 that its luxury line would move to a new Genesis division, and the Signature's replacement arrived as the Genesis G90.
2016 Hyundai Equus Ultimate
The 2016 Ultimate is the last and most lavish Equus Hyundai sold in America, at $68,750 before destination. It carries the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, 17-speaker Lexicon 7.1 audio, twin 9.2-inch rear-seat screens, massaging rear seats, forward-view cornering camera and power door closure that made the car famous as a used-luxury bargain. Powertrain and EPA figures are identical to the Signature's.
Hyundai Equus trim levels
| Trim | MSRP | Engine | Power | Drive | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | $61,500 | 5.0L Tau GDI V8 | 429 hp / 376 lb-ft | RWD | 15 / 23 mpg |
| Ultimate | $68,750 | 5.0L Tau GDI V8 | 429 hp / 376 lb-ft | RWD | 15 / 23 mpg |
| Signature | $61,500 | 5.0L Tau GDI V8 | 429 hp / 376 lb-ft | RWD | 15 / 23 mpg |
| Ultimate | $68,750 | 5.0L Tau GDI V8 | 429 hp / 376 lb-ft | RWD | 15 / 23 mpg |
Specifications (2016)
| Engine | 5.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Power | 429 hp |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Seats | 5 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does the Hyundai Equus cost?
The Hyundai Equus has a typical price range of $61,500 - $68,750, spanning 4 trim levels. Actual prices vary by year, mileage and local market conditions.
What fuel economy does the Hyundai Equus get?
The Hyundai Equus achieves 15 / 23 mpg. Real-world figures depend on trim, drivetrain and driving style.
Is the Hyundai Equus reliable?
Owner-reported reliability is rated 7.2 / 10. Recall history: 0 recalls (NHTSA SafetyRatings, VehicleId 10732 — the recallsByVehicle endpoint returns HTTP 400 for the 2016 Equus).
What years of the Hyundai Equus are available to compare?
Cars4Real covers Hyundai Equus model years 2015–2016. You can compare every year and trim side by side with live market prices and real owner reviews.