The 2012 Equus is Hyundai for the second year in the premium luxury segment. When the Korean automaker's first Equus debuted last year, more than a few eyebrows. The public and some of the more wealthy German and Japanese car manufacturers in the segment were used to seeing from Hyundai to produce good fuel-efficient cars more than the status quo are offered at a given price. But a luxury car of the caliber of the Equus "was unexpected.

In his second year, the Equus continues this theme, and gives a Hyundai luxury sedan with more goodies than the usual $ 60,000-plus price tag of the vehicle against which it competes. A new 5.0-liter V-8 engine offers 44 hp more Equus, bringing the total to a leading 429 horsepower. The new engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that allows for better acceleration, and the most impressive performance with an upgrade for the Equus still has the previous model fuel.

The top-of-the-line Hyundai is available in two models, the Signature and Ultimate. The Equus takes on the usual standard bearers with excellent interior materials and fit and finish to impress. The cab is roomy and quiet as any. Japanese and European cars are similarly equipped tens of thousands of dollars more.

Body Style: Sedan

Engine: 5.0-liter V-8

Transmissions: 8-speed automatic

Models: Signature Equus, Equus Ultimate

In just his second year available, the Equus has a new engine, Hyundai's most powerful ever. While the previous 4.6-liter V-8 produced a competitive 385 horsepower, the one knock on the first Equus, apart from luxury brand heritage, was that the performance is still a bit shy of the European competition. Hyundai has no chance with the follow-up, delivering a blistering 5.0-liter V-8 capable of 429 horsepower.

In addition, an in-house developed eight-speed automatic transmission fitted to the new engine to improve acceleration and fuel economy comparable to the original Equus account. Further changes are satin-finish chrome exterior accents, and standard rear-window sunshades on the Ultimate model.

The Equus is a big sedan with simple, attractive but conservative styling. Absent are the more aggressive lines of Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design featured on some of the other cars in its lineup, but who do not like the aggressive lines of the 7-Series and S-Class is hot to the Hyundai luxury offerings.

The cab interior is spacious and luxurious Equus. High-quality interior materials are used. Thick acoustic glass ensures a quiet cabin, even at higher speeds. The front seats are heated and cooled with a massage function on the driver's seat. Rear seat passengers are far from ignored, as are heated rear seats and lean. Climate and audio controls are front and rear, and premium audio is equipped with a Lexicon 17-speaker sound system. The Ultimate Equus model replaces the rear seat for two heated, cooled and massaging chairs.

Air suspension with variable settings ensure the Equus to absorb road imperfections and if the next luxury sedan, but in sport mode, the large frame squat down and adds significant dynamics on the other stately ride. Cornering is sufficient, but is not something to brag about or be embarrassed by. The main complaint of the model last year was that the Equus is not the acceleration of some of its competitors, a situation put right with the new engine and eight gears to offer.

Four-wheel discs with ABS plus Brake Assist and stability control are standard. There are nine airbags: two front, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact, roof-mounted side-curtain and a driver knee airbag. The Equus' VSM manages various safety systems at once.

EPA Fuel Economy

15 mpg city/23 mpg highway