Hyundai Equus: V8 luxury sedan specs, MPG and recalls (2011–2016)

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Hyundai Equus was Hyundai's rear-wheel-drive V8 luxury flagship in the US from the 2011 to 2016 model years. The 2011 car used a 385-hp 4.6L V8; from 2012 it had a 429-hp 5.0L V8 with an 8-speed automatic, rated 15/23/18 mpg. Its 2016 MSRPs were $61,500 (Signature) and $68,750 (Ultimate).

Type
Full-size luxury sedan, rear-wheel drive
Price (MSRP)
$61,500–$68,750 (2016 MY) · Final-year MSRPs from Hyundai's 2016 Equus price sheet effective May 19, 2015, excluding $950 freight. Low = Signature, high = Ultimate.[1]
Powertrains
4.6L Tau V8 (2011), 5.0L Tau GDI V8 (2012–2016) · 385–429 hp
Current generation
Equus (US), 2011–2016

Hyundai Equus engines, horsepower and mpg

Hyundai's 2016 spec sheet rates the 5.0L at 429 hp and 376 lb-ft on premium fuel and 421 hp / 365 lb-ft on regular. We did not find a Hyundai torque figure for the 2011 4.6L, so it is left blank.

Hyundai Equus powertrains with Hyundai-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
VersionEngineHorsepowerTorque (lb-ft)TransmissionDriveEPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
4.6L Tau V8 (2011)Signature, Ultimate4.6L DOHC Tau V8[2][3][4]385—6-speed automatic with SHIFTRONICRear-wheel drive16/24/182011 MY[4]
5.0L Tau GDI V8 (2012–2016)Signature, Ultimate5.0L direct-injected DOHC Tau V8[5][6][7][8]4293768-speed automatic with SHIFTRONICRear-wheel drive15/23/182016 MY[8]

Output is as rated by Hyundai; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

What to check on a used Equus

An Equus is a lot of luxury car for the money used, but it is also a complex one. Focus on these points from Hyundai's documents and the recall record:

  • Engine year: 2011 is the only 4.6L/6-speed year; 2012–2016 cars have the 5.0L V8 and 8-speed automatic.
  • Trim: Ultimate adds equipment Signature lacks, including the 12.3-inch digital cluster (2014+), dual rear-seat screens, a head-up display and a multi-view camera.
  • Air suspension: every Equus has electronically controlled air suspension, so check that the car sits level and the Normal and Sport modes work.
  • Recalls: confirm 14V713 (2011 stop lamps), 16V117 (wiper motor) and 23V651 (2014–2015 ABS module) are done, using nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • [2][5][10][6][11][12][13][14]

Hyundai Equus recalls

The NHTSA recall dataset lists three Hyundai campaigns naming the Equus. For 23V651, Hyundai told owners to park outside until the repair is done.

  • 14V713 (2011 Equus built July 31 to November 21, 2010, along with 2009–2011 Genesis): a circuit failure may keep the stop lamps from lighting. Dealers repair the stop lamp switch circuit.
  • 16V117 (2011–2013 Equus built July 10, 2011 to June 12, 2012, along with 2012 Genesis): the wiper motor cover seal can degrade, letting the circuit board corrode, which can mean intermittent or total loss of wipers. Dealers replace the cover and seal.
  • 23V651 (2014–2015 Equus, among 1,649,478 Hyundais): the ABS module may leak brake fluid internally and short, causing an engine-compartment fire. Dealers replace the ABS fuse.
  • [11][12][13][14]

What replaced the Equus?

Hyundai launched Genesis as a separate luxury brand in November 2015. In January 2016 it unveiled the 2017 Genesis G90 as the brand's US flagship; in Korea the same car is called the EQ900. EPA's last Equus is the 2016 model, and the G90 is generally treated as its successor. CarWhere's Genesis hub covers the G90.[15][16][17][8][18]

Hyundai Equus generations by year

Every US Hyundai Equus generation with model years and engines, newest first
GenerationUS model yearsEnginesNotes
Equus (US)2011–20164.6L Tau V8, 385 hp (2011); 5.0L Tau GDI V8, 429 hp / 376 lb-ft (2012–2016)Sold in two trims, Signature and Ultimate, both with air suspension. Launch MSRPs were $58,000 and $64,500 plus $900 freight. For 2012 the 5.0L V8 and Hyundai's own 8-speed automatic replaced the 4.6L and 6-speed, at $59,000 and $66,000. The 2014 redesign brought new displays (a 12.3-inch digital cluster on Ultimate) and retuned suspension.[2][3][5][9][10][4][8]

More Equus research

See how an Equus was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Hyundai build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Hyundai build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Hyundai Equus sold in the US?

EPA lists the Equus for the 2011 through 2016 model years. Hyundai announced pricing in October 2010 and said the first cars would reach select dealers that December.

What engine is in the Hyundai Equus?

The 2011 Equus has a 385-hp 4.6L Tau V8 with a 6-speed automatic. The 2012–2016 cars use a 5.0L direct-injected Tau V8 rated at 429 hp and 376 lb-ft on premium fuel, with an 8-speed automatic.

What MPG does the Hyundai Equus get?

EPA rates the 2012–2016 5.0L Equus at 15 mpg city, 23 highway and 18 combined. The 2011 4.6L is rated 16/24/18.

Is the Hyundai Equus the same as the Genesis G90?

Not exactly. The G90 is a newer model under the separate Genesis brand, unveiled for 2017. It took over the Equus's job as the flagship sedan once the Equus ended after 2016.

What is the difference between the Equus Signature and Ultimate?

Both share the V8 and air suspension. Ultimate adds rear-seat and driver technology, such as dual rear-seat screens and, from 2014, a 12.3-inch digital cluster. In 2016 it cost $7,250 more than the Signature ($68,750 vs $61,500).

Sources

Prices and output are as published by Hyundai for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

  1. 2016 Equus Pricing (effective May 19, 2015, PDF) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/29943-433972016EquusPricing.pdf)
  2. Hyundai Releases Engineering and Feature Information for the All-New 2011 Equus (Aug. 10, 2010) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/10866-HYUNDAIRELEASESENGINEERINGANDFEATUREINFORMATIONFORTHEALL-NEW2011HYUNDAIEQUUS.txt)
  3. Hyundai Announces Pricing for the All-New Equus (Oct. 19, 2010) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/10842-HYUNDAIANNOUNCESPRICINGFORTHEALL-NEWEQUUS.txt)
  4. EPA fuel economy: 2011 Hyundai Equus 4.6L V8 — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  5. 2012 Hyundai Equus Continues to Redefine Intelligent Luxury (June 28, 2011) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/19916-2012HYUNDAIEQUUSCONTINUESTOREDEFINEINTELLIGENTLUXURY.txt)
  6. 2016 Equus Offers Driver-Focused Technologies (May 27, 2015) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/23968-2016EQUUSOFFERSDRIVER-FOCUSEDTECHNOLOGIES%2CPREMIUMDESIGN%2CANDADVANCEDSAFETYFEATURES.txt)
  7. 2016 Equus Specifications (PDF) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/29396-EquusSpecifications2016.pdf)
  8. EPA fuel economy: 2016 Hyundai Equus 5.0L V8 — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  9. Hyundai Announces Pricing for 2012 Equus — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/20869-HYUNDAIANNOUNCESPRICINGFOR2012EQUUS.txt)
  10. Redesigned 2014 Equus (New York show release, Mar. 27, 2013) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/22128-REDESIGNED2014EQUUSOFFERSDRIVER-FOCUSEDTECHNOLOGIES%2CPREMIUMDESIGN%2CSUSPENSIONREFINEMENTANDADVANCEDSAFETYFEATURES.txt)
  11. NHTSA recalls dataset (6axg-epim): Hyundai campaigns naming the Equus — U.S. DOT / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
  12. Recall 14V713: 2011 Equus inoperative stop lamps — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  13. Recall 16V117: Equus wiper motor corrosion — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  14. Recall 23V651: ABS unit may cause engine compartment fire — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  15. Hyundai Motor Launches New Global Luxury Brand, 'Genesis' (Nov. 4, 2015) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/24380-HYUNDAIMOTORLAUNCHESNEWGLOBALLUXURYBRAND%2C%E2%80%98GENESIS%E2%80%99.txt)
  16. 'New Luxury' Takes Shape: Hyundai Motor Unveils Rendering of New G90 (Nov. 10, 2015) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/24409-%E2%80%98NEWLUXURY%E2%80%99TAKESSHAPE-HYUNDAIMOTORUNVEILSRENDERINGOFNEWG90.txt)
  17. Genesis Brand Launches its G90 Luxury Flagship (Jan. 11, 2016) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/24540-GenesisBrandLaunchesitsG90LuxuryFlagship.txt)
  18. Hyundai Equus (Wikipedia) — Wikipedia (secondary reference)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Hyundai Motor America, Hyundai Motor Company or Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai and the model names are trademarks of their owners.