2012 Hyundai Equus

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Rating7.8

Ranked #4 in 

Fullsize Sedan
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$59,000 - $66,000
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Plush and serene ride

Personalization options are very limited

A new powertrain with 5.0L V8 and 8-speed automatic transmission

Capacious cabin and cargo

Brakes could use some more stopping power

Ultimate trim level standardizes power rear side-window shades

A generous list of features

Specs & Features

$59,000

price

429 hp @ 6400 rpm

horsepower

376 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

5.0L 8cyl RWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Hyundai Equus makes for an excellent contender in the fullsize sedan segment. With 2 trims on offer, the Hyundai Equus has a base MSRP of $59,000, with prices going all the way up to an MSRP of $66,000, competing directly with more expensive rivals such as the Lexus LS 460, the Audi A8 L, and the BMW 7 Series. Only a 5.0L V8 engine is offered, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Together, they produce 429 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. Accelerating from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, the Equus maintains a combined fuel economy of 18 MPG. Hyundai offers the Equus in 4 stunning colors, with the Platinum Metallic being a particular favorite of ours.

Buying Advice

The Equus Ultimate trim is our favorite owing to the ultra-luxury features like the heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, mini-refrigerator, rear-seat entertainment system, power trunk, and more.

Trims

    Signature
    $59,000 onwards
    • 19-inch chrome aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Rear air conditioning with controls
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    • Xm AM/FM/HD/Satellite
    Ultimate
    $66,000 onwards
    • Cooling glove box
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Front bucket seats
    • Keyless entry and keyless ignition
    • Tilt & telescoping steering wheel

Compare to similar cars

Price

$59,000- $66,000

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.75

Horsepower

429 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

376 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$78,750

Gasoline

8.06

372 hp @ 6800 rpm

328 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,180- $30,300

Gasoline

6.47

300 hp @ 6500 rpm

262 lb.-ft. @ 5300 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,555- $38,155

Gasoline

8

263 hp @ 6250 rpm

249 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$73,700- $117,700

Gasoline

8.07

385 hp @ 6500 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$92,550- $159,500

Gasoline

8.58

429 hp @ 5250 rpm

516 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

5

Read Review

$33,195- $36,435

Gasoline

8.16

268 hp @ 6200 rpm

248 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

$28,515- $40,390

Gasoline

7.91

200 hp @ 5100 rpm

207 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm

4

Read Review

2012 Hyundai Equus vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    4.8 sec--
    5.4 sec13.5 sec121 mph
    5.4 sec12.2 sec172 mph
    2012 Audi A8

    Ranked #3

    5.7 sec13.9 sec130 mph
    5.9 sec14.5 sec-
    6.2 sec14.7 sec-

    2012 Hyundai Equus vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      15 mpg24 mpg19 mpg20.3 gal.304.5/466.9 mi.
      21 mpg31 mpg24 mpg18.5 gal.388.5/573.5 mi.
      19 mpg28 mpg23 mpg18.5 gal.351.5/518 mi.
      18 mpg30 mpg22 mpg17 gal.306/510 mi.
      18 mpg28 mpg22 mpg19 gal.342/532 mi.
      2012 Audi A8

      Ranked #4

      18 mpg28 mpg21 mpg23.8 gal.428.4/666.4 mi.

      2012 Hyundai Equus vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        203.1 in.74.4 in.58.7 in.5.1 in.119.9 in.
        206.5 in.73.7 in.58 in.5.8 in.124.6 in.
        202.9 in.76.2 in.60.7 in.5.1 in.112.9 in.
        2012 Audi A8

        Ranked #4

        202.2 in.76.7 in.57.5 in.4.7 in.117.8 in.
        201.7 in.74.6 in.57 in.4 in.119.4 in.
        200 in.73 in.58.7 in.7 in.110.5 in.

        2012 Hyundai Equus vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          16.7 cu.ft.109.3 cu.ft.-
          20.1 cu.ft.102.2 cu.ft.62.3 cu.ft.
          13 cu.ft.94 cu.ft.69 cu.ft.
          2012 Audi A8

          Ranked #3

          13.2 cu.ft.115.1 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.
          16.4 cu.ft.109 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.
          18.6 cu.ft.90 cu.ft.18.6 cu.ft.

          2012 Hyundai Equus vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            -16.7 cu.ft.--
            69 cu.ft.13 cu.ft.69 cu.ft.-
            34 cu.ft.18.6 cu.ft.18.6 cu.ft.183 ft.
            38.4 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.-
            2012 Audi A8

            Ranked #5

            50.3 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.76 ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.20.1 cu.ft.62.3 cu.ft.79 ft.

            2012 Hyundai Equus vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              --4449 lbs.
              1000 lbs.870 lbs.3572 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-4015 lbs.
              --4045 lbs.
              -1056 lbs.4740 lbs.
              2012 Audi A8

              Ranked #2

              -1213 lbs.4409 lbs.

              Top Hyundai Cars

              2012 Hyundai Equus

              Horsepower : 429 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 4.8 sec

              #1

              2012 Hyundai Genesis

              Horsepower : 333 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 22 mpg

              0-60 : 5.5 sec

              #2

              2012 Hyundai Azera

              Horsepower : 293 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 6.2 sec

              #3

              2012 Hyundai Veracruz

              Horsepower : 260 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 7.8 sec

              #4

              2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Sedan

              Horsepower : 206 hp

              MPG Combined : 36 mpg

              0-60 : 9 sec

              #5

              2012 Hyundai Sonata

              Horsepower : 198 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

              0-60 : 7.1 sec

              #6

              2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

              Horsepower : 175 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 10.3 sec

              #7

              2012 Hyundai Tucson

              Horsepower : 165 hp @ 6200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 22 mpg

              0-60 : 9.2 sec

              #8

              2012 Hyundai Elantra

              Horsepower : 148 hp @ 6500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 32 mpg

              0-60 : 8.1 sec

              #9

              2012 Hyundai Accent

              Horsepower : 138 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 32 mpg

              0-60 : 8 sec

              #10