2011 Hyundai Equus
Hyundai’s reputation - especially as of late - is based on building affordable vehicles with great value and quality. But now the Korean carmaker is taking that formula to the large luxury sedan segment. This is the all-new 2011 Equus, and it will compete with flagships from Lexus, Mercedes and others. That’s an astounding goal, but has Hyundai finally bitten off a little more than they can chew?
When Hyundai introduced the Genesis premium mid-size sedan two years ago, we wondered if the value carmaker could compete in a more rarified class. We quickly concluded that it could. Now, to cement its reputation even further as a premium brand, the carmaker brings to market the full-size 2011 Hyundai Equus. As their new flagship, Equus aims to compete with vaulted saloons like the Lexus LS, and even the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Equus will attempt to do so by delivering all the bells and whistles affluent buyers expect, but at a much more affordable price point. But, right off the bat, targeted buyers may have two reservations. One, the full-line Hyundai badge itself, and two, the car’s overly conservative styling. It looks bland even compared to its hardly earth shaking rivals. Except for a Bentley-like rear end, there isn’t much to attract an exclusive eye to the Equus. Still, the big sedan does exude sophistication with a Genesis-like front fascia and a flowing greenhouse and roofline for an almost presidential profile.
But there’s also a hint of sportiness here, thanks to brawny rear shoulders, 19-inch chrome alloys, and dual exhausts. Things improved when we stepped inside its executive cabin. It’s spacious, with well laid out controls amid nicely done wood trim. But there’s still an air of cost containment, from the plain gauges, to an abundance of hard plastics, to even the unremarkable face of the analog clock. On the other hand, a lot that’s optional on rivals is standard on Equus.
Base Signature trim includes front seats that are very comfortable and supportive, with heat, ventilation, and even driver’s side massage. A class first. Likewise, there’s heat for the wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Other standard luxuries include dual automatic climate, navigation, back-up camera and a 17-speaker Lexicon stereo. And get this, an Apple iPad owner’s manual! Comfort extends to the enormous rear seats with sunshades and the only
standard power recliners in its class. A three passenger heated split bench is standard, with Ultimate Trim dividing it into two individual seats, and adding massage, a console refrigerator, and DVD system.
All seats fold, adding nicely to the Equus’ generous 16.7 cubic foot trunk space. Based on the Genesis sedan platform, the Equus is powered by the same 4.6-liter variable-timing V8, good here for 385 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. Power moves to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode. On the track, our Equus charged from 0 to 60 in a fast 6.1 seconds, and cleared the quarter mile in 14.6 seconds at 99 miles per hour. Equus feels powerful off the line, but not overwhelmingly so. Power delivery builds nicely, and is quite smooth. Shifts, too, were smooth, but a little slow. Driving dynamics are governed by front and rear multilink geometries. And the electronically-controlled air suspension with Continuous Damping Control includes height-adjustable and driver-selectable Sport mode. And through the cones, with Sport mode on, the Equus feels acceptably capable, and trimmer than it actually is.
Understeer is always present, as is a fair amount of body roll. The steering is light and linear, but with little feedback. We give it better overall marks than the Lexus LS, but it doesn’t come close to the caliber of a German sedan. Equus stopping power is solid. With large vented discs at all four corners, the 4,500-pound Equus managed 60 to 0 in a good 127 feet. So, while overall, Equus performance seems unremarkable, as a first effort, it’s still very notable. On public roads, the Equus is more than competent. It’s very quiet and smooth, maybe a little too smooth. There are no ragged edges about this car’s performance.
But then there isn’t much to get excited about either. Government Fuel Economy ratings for the Equus are 16 city/24 highway on premium gas. We achieved 21.6 miles per gallon in real world driving. The Energy Impact Score is a fairly high 18 barrels of oil consumed per year. The Carbon Footprint measures a similar 9.8 annual tons of CO2 emitted.
But here’s the kicker…the Equus Signature starts at $58,000. That’s about $8,000 less than an LS, and $30-grand less than the cheapest S-Class. The Hyundai Equus Ultimate stickers for $64,500. The 2011 Hyundai Equus is an ambitious effort, and it’s a bargain. Still, for clientele to whom status and prestige are just as important as the accouterments, the biggest hurdle for Hyundai may be the brand itself. However, we can easily see other buyers viewing the Equus as a way to play big without breaking their 401(k). And even if this Equus isn’t a hit at the country club, Hyundai has the patience to make sure the next one will be.
Specifications
- Engine: 4.6-Liter Variable-timing V8
- Horsepower: 385
- Torque: 333 Lb Feet
- 0-60 MPH: 6.1 Seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 14.6 Seconds @ 99 MPH
- 60-0 MPH: 127 Feet
- EPA: 16 MPG City/ 24 MPG Highway
- Mixed Loop: 21.6 MPG
- Energy Impact 18.0 Barrels Oil/Yr:
- CO2 Emissions: 9.8 Tons/Yr
2024 Hyundai Elantra N
Looks Better, Handles Better
When we first sampled Hyundai’s Elantra N, we were impressed. Not only did it live up to the high expectations Hyundai set for themselves with their new N performance brand, but it made a great showroom companion to the funky and fun Veloster N. Well, that was just two years ago and already the Elantra N is getting better!
It’s totally fitting that Hyundai chose the humble Veloster and Elantra to introduce us to their N performance brand, as it mirrored their own humble beginnings here in the U.S. in the 1980s. What started with a single subcompact economy car has grown into a full lineup of cars, SUVs, a pickup truck, and even multiple battery-electric vehicles, one of which recently got the N treatment and set a new benchmark for high-performance EVs.
All that to say, when we had an opportunity to test the recently updated 2024 Hyundai Elantra N sedan, we jumped at the chance.
Now, not to be a downer right away, but there is nothing new to report in the powertrain department, as most updates follow the systemwide midcycle refresh that the Elantra has received for ’24, which mostly highlight styling and tech. But there are other meaningful upgrades, specifically to address the N’s ride and handling. More on that later.
We’ll start with styling tweaks which include a new front with a larger two-piece grille, slimmer daytime running lights, and flat stainless-steel logo. Inside, materials get a premium boost with lots of N logos, some of which are even now illuminated. Both the steering wheel and shift knob are also new in the N, as are the sport bucket seats which are definitely aggressive, though ride quality remains plenty street friendly. Now those N suspension enhancements include new urethane bushings, along with a complete overhaul to the steering system, and additional structural upgrades including engine mounts.
There was a lot of feedback coming through the chassis, encouraging us to push harder and harder.
And they were all readily apparent in our handling course where the N showed great balance, an eagerness to turn in, and fantastic grip. It really is crazy how competent front-wheel-drive cars have become. It’s also more responsive to driver inputs, and there was a lot of feedback coming through the chassis, encouraging us to push harder and harder. You can find a little bit of remaining understeer if you go looking for it, but it’s not the natural tendency at anything less than the absolute limit.
Under the hood is the same 276-horsepower 2.0-liter I4 with 289 lb-ft of torque as last year; and when keeping a hand on that new shift knob for some acceleration runs, the Elantra N didn’t feel overly quick, as it was hard to find a good compromise between a soft launch and massive amounts of wheel hop. Still, we got to 60 in the same 5.4 seconds. The available eight-speed DCT automatic is a few tenths quicker if that’s your priority.
The engine sounds cool, nice and raspy, not high-strung, and the shifter works and feels great, with no missed shifts during our track time. Our best quarter-mile run was 14.0 seconds flat at 101 mph. Not bad for any family sedan. In braking runs, stops from 60 were strong and fade free, averaging a mere 100 feet. There was very little nosedive, as the N had a more of a hunkered down feel to it; and there was also very little ABS pulsing through the pedal.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings with the manual are 21 City, 29 Highway, and 24 Combined. We recorded a good 25.8 mpg of Premium on our mixed driving loop. As for Hyundai’s traditional high value, Elantra N pricing starts at only $34,850, with the DCT a $1,500 option.
If you subscribe to the original Hot Rod ethos of making things go as fast as possible, for as little as possible, Hyundai is glad to have you along for the ride. This 2024 Hyundai Elantra N is a fun-filled modern-day Hot Rod in an economy car disguise. Those that are willing to take their next compact purchase to the power of N will get a driving experience that very few other affordable cars can approach.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 2.0-liter I-4 Turbo
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Horsepower: 276
- Torque: 289 lb-ft.
- EPA: 21 City | 29 Highway | 24 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 5.4 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 14.0 seconds at 101 mph
- Braking, 60-0: 100 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 25.8 mpg (Premium)