Hyundai->ke201 unveiled an updated version of its Equus luxury sedan ->ke3333 at the 2013 New York Show. After teasing it for a few weeks, the updated Equus wowed the world today in the Big Apple.

According to Hyundai, the 2014 Equus will receive more than 30 new and enhanced features on both the exterior and the interior. These updates will include higher-quality materials, tweaks to ride and handling, an updated driver information display and new safety features.

On the exterior, the 2014 Equus receives a new front bumper fascia and grille design, new side mirrors and taillight graphics, plus a new set of wheels combined with revised suspensions. The interior receives a completely redesigned instrumental panel and center stack, plus a new series of updates for the materials, rear seats and steering wheel.

Updated 03/28/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.

Updated 07/12/2013: Hyundai announced prices for the 2014 Equus, which goes on sale this week. Click past the jump to see how much it cost when compared to the 2013 model.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Hyundai Equus.

2014 Hyundai Equus

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Hyundai Equus
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 429 @ 6400
  • Torque: 376 @ 5000
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

For the 2014 model year, Equus has received a series of updates that transforms the look of the luxury sedan. Updates include a new front grille with thinner chrome bars, while the former chrome accents have been removed in favor of a modern premium appearance.

The company also installed redesigned headlamps with new jeweled design elements and chrome contrasted with black-out finishes. The side mirrors have also been redesigned, while the taillight graphics received a more horizontal theme.

Exterior dimensions:

Wheelbase

119.9 inches

Length

203.1 inches

Width

74.4 inches

Height

58.7 inches

Track, front

63.8 inches

Track, rear

64.1 inches

Overhang, front

34.6 inches

Overhang, rear

48.6 inches

Coefficient of drag (Cd)

0.27


Exterior features:

-New 19-inch, turbine-blade polished silver wheel design

-New front bumper fascia and grille design

-New side mirrors and tail lamp graphics

-Standard LED fog lamps

-New Night Shadow Brown exterior color

Interior

For the interior, the 2014 Equus received a redesigned instrument panel and center stack, more premium materials and new button iconography for quicker and easier feature recognition.

The steering wheel received an improved control layout with new low-sheen button designs and icons. The rear passengers receive a new rear console and button layout, with available dual 9.2-inch, high-resolution, adjustable seat-back video screens to enjoy movies, audio, HVAC or seating functions.

As standard equipment, the 2014 Equus includes a larger, 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD center cluster display for Signature models, a large 12.3-inch, fully-digital TFT LCD center cluster display for Ultimate models, and a larger, standard 9.2-inch center instrument panel LCD display.

Interior Dimensions:

Head room

Front (with sunroof)

38.7 inches

Rear

37.6 inches

Legroom

Front

45.1 inches

Rear

38.8 inches

Shoulder room

Front

59.1 inches

Rear

58.0 inches

Hip room

Front

55.5 inches

Rear

55.1 inches

EPA passenger volume

109.3 cu. ft.

EPA cargo volume

16.7 cu. ft.

EPA total volume

126.0 cu. ft.


Interior features:

-Completely redesigned instrumental panel and center stack

-Redesigned center console and shift lever design

-Revised steering wheel control layout with vehicle settings

-New ivory leather interior environment

-New, ultra-premium genuine wood trim selections

-Redesigned rear seat center console controls

Drivetrain

Under the hood, the 2014 Equus keeps the usual 5.0-liter Tau DOHC V-8 engine that delivers a total of 429 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 376 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. The engine is offered with premium technologies, like Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT), a tuned variable induction system and low-friction diamond-like coatings (DLC) on piston skirts, rings and tappets.

The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual shift capability and delivers a fuel economy of 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.

Though Hyundai has not released a 0-to-60 mph time, last year's model had the same output and hit 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. We anticipate the 2014 model to come in near that time, maybe a few tenths of a second quicker.

Drivetrain Specifications

Trim

Signature

Ultimate

Type

DOHC 32-valve Tau® V8, Dual CVVT (Continuous Variable Valve Timing), Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), Tuned Intake System (TIS)

DOHC 32-valve Tau® V8, Dual CVVT (Continuous Variable Valve Timing), Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), Tuned Intake System (TIS)

Materials

Aluminum block and head

Aluminum block and head

Displacement

5.0 liters / 5,038 cc

5.0 liters / 5,038 cc

Bore and Stroke

96.0 mm x 87.0 mm

96.0 mm x 87.0 mm

Valves per cylinder

4

4

Compression Ratio

11.5:1

11.5:1

Horsepower

429 / 421 @ 6,400 rpm – Premium / Regular

429 / 421 @ 6,400 rpm – Premium / Regular

Torque

376 / 365 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm – Premium / Regular

376 / 365 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm – Premium / Regular

City MPG

15 MPG

15 MPG

Highway MPG

23 MPG

23 MPG

Combined MPG

18 MPG

18 MPG


Suspension and Brakes

For the 2014 model year, the Equus receives revised suspension for enhanced ride comfort and handling. There are two new driving modes -- Normal and Sport -- each offering a more differentiated ride and handling character. In Sport mode the model offers more controlled damping and in Normal mode it gets slightly enhanced ride comfort.

Other systems include an electro-hydraulic steering, electronic parking guide assist and Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system which continually monitors road and driving dynamics and optimizes damping force accordingly.

The 2014 Equus is offered with standard 19-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance tires, sized P245/45R19 up front and P275/40R19 at the rear.

Prices

The 2014 Hyundai Equus will be put on sale this week. Prices will start from $61,000 for the base Signature version and from $68,000 for the Ultimate version. This represents an increase of $1,750 over the previous year.

Base Pricing

Trim

MSRP

Signature

$61,000

Ultimate

$68,000


Competitors

So far this year, Equus is the number-one shopped premium luxury sedan, well ahead of its usual competitors, and for sure, with the improvements it received for the 2014 model year, things will get even better.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class is entering a new generation for 2014. The S-Class comes in with a slightly updated exterior look, improved interior and a modified engine lineup. There are four levels to choose from, but the S 500 is the only one that we consider a competitor to the Equus. This features a 4.7-liter V-8 with 455 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. This allows the S 500 to hit 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds -- a lot faster than the Hyundai -- but it will certainly be at least $30,000 more than a similarly equipped Equus.

2013 BMW 7 Series

The 7 Series has also been redesigned for the 2013 model year with changes to the exterior and interior, as well as a lineup of new and upgraded engines. The engine lineup will include a 3.0-liter straight-six gasoline engine that develops a total of 258 horsepower, a 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line engine that delivers a total of 320 horsepower and a revised 4.4 liter V-8 engine that delivers a total of 450 horsepower.

Conclusion

Hyundai Equus is a relatively young model on the market; still, it managed to become a leader in the premium-luxury market, outselling models with a long tradition. We are pretty sure that the updates offered for the 2014 model year will help it to become even better.