The Equus is Hyundai's luxury flagship, aimed directly at the top models from other luxury brands, including the Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ, but costing thousands less. The V8 in the Equus, which makes 429 horsepower, is Hyundai's most powerful engine ever -- and more powerful than the engines in the Lexus LS 460 and Mercedes-Benz S550. The Equus' 8-speed automatic transmission enhances performance while still managing to return an EPA-estimated 24 mpg highway.
There are yet other reasons why the Equus stands out from the luxury pack. According to Hyundai, the Equus has more leg, head, and shoulder room, both in front and in back, than the Lexus LS 460. It's also a standout for safety features, and an IIHS Top Safety Pick.