Checkmate! Hyundai Equus Vs. Lexus LS460L - Who NOW Makes The Best Asian Flagship?

We have been telling you for quite sometime now that Hyundai is on a roll and if you didn’t believe it you might just be about to.  Over the last two years almost all of the press has been comparing the Korean brand to Toyota in terms of quality and sophistication.

 The Spies however have been beating a different drum.  We tend to agree the mainstream press might have the idea right, but has the target all wrong.  Hyundai isn’t shooting for Toyota, that target is better served by Kia. Instead they are placing their aim somewhere in the middle ground between Toyota and Lexus.  In this area the quality needs to be similar to the upscale competition but the main advantage is going to be price.

 This, my friends is the exact same tactic used by Toyota to undercut the Germans when they were experiencing quality issues in the early 2000’s.  Come in with similar quality at a much lower price and you will reap a harvest of the uncommitted and disenchanted. So is it any surprise that at the same time that Lexus is under fire for quality and safety issues, Hyundai is doing the same?  I think not!

 This month Car and Driver magazine has posted a comparison the all new Equus to the Lexus LS460L AWD, and guess who comes out on top?  Yes my friends history is repeating it self yet again and proving that it may be easier getting to the top than staying up there.

 Take a read of the article and let us know if there is a new king of the block!

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LACMAN - 1/27/2011 10:03:49 AM

-2 Boost

That digital clock in the Lexus doesnt look all that "high dollar" either when you get finished.

LACMAN - 1/27/2011 10:07:16 AM

-1 Boost

That digital clock in the Lexus doesnt look all that "high dollar" either when you get finished.

LACMAN - 1/27/2011 10:07:19 AM

-1 Boost

That digital clock in the Lexus doesnt look all that "high dollar" either when you get finished.

B7FAN - 1/27/2011 10:58:12 AM

-6 Boost

you know what i like Hyudai and where they are trying to take the company but DAMN!!!!! the Lexus LS has been out since the 90's and has been improved tremendously hyundai just came out with this EQUUS I say compare the 2 after a 3 year test between the 2 in order to see who the top dog is

ThierryHenry14 - 1/27/2011 11:15:48 AM

+12 Boost

Well, the LS is a 20y/o car, the equus is 10y/o, so its not like the equus is a new comer to the game...

enthusiastx11 - 1/27/2011 12:01:24 PM

-5 Boost

that's EXACTLY what everyone said when the LS400 was compared to the 560SEL in 1989. in this case, the comparison is even more valid. the cars are nearly identical in every measurable way. and, more importantly, lexus buyers are VALUE luxury shoppers. this car will appeal to lots of them.

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/27/2011 12:12:26 PM

-2 Boost

LOL, the LS clock is the same one they have been using since the 80's Corolla.

Baby - 1/30/2011 11:37:01 PM

0 Boost

Lexus hands down~ Nice try 009.

blackbr - 1/27/2011 9:54:19 AM

-6 Boost

I think they could sell a lot more Equuae and Genesae if they'd had the forethought to roll out AWD at the same time. If I was shopping for a $60K car I'd definitely consider the Equus despite its derivative styling.

david999 - 1/27/2011 10:13:31 AM

+13 Boost

HA HA. Motor Trend already did a comparison including the Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar and the results were that the Hyundai shouldn't even be there (finished last). Not anywhere near the same league as the Lexus, even though it is over 5 years old in design.

Agent009 - 1/27/2011 10:41:56 AM

-8 Boost

I guess it depends on the criteria.. Performance versus luxury. In this case price weighed in heavily.

enthusiastx11 - 1/27/2011 12:03:28 PM

-12 Boost

what goes around, comes around. one derivative design following another derivative design. and they're both great values. watch out lexus. in a few years, this car is going to be a HUGE threat.

vinman1013 - 1/27/2011 12:33:10 PM

-4 Boost

You mean the Lexus shouldn't be there?

tattedtwice - 1/27/2011 12:43:41 PM

-8 Boost

HA HA. Car and Drive already did a comparison including the Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar and the results were that the lexus shouldn't even be there (finished last). Not anywhere near the same league as the others, even though it was then brand new in design.


http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/07q1/2006_jaguar_super_v-8_vs._2007_m-b_s550_2006_audi_a8l_2007_lexus_ls460l_2006_bmw_750li-comparison_tests

Willis - 1/27/2011 10:29:33 AM

-6 Boost

Better car? Probably the Lexus, by a small margin.

Sympathy factor? Hyundai hands down.

uaw_lax - 1/27/2011 10:36:29 AM

+12 Boost

equus nice try for the first effort, ill take the ls over pure refinement and better looks.

enthusiastx11 - 1/27/2011 5:25:44 PM

-7 Boost

same situation with the LS vs. the S-class. if you can/will spend more, you get the S. in this case, if you can/will spend more, you get the LS.

enthusiastx11 - 1/28/2011 1:44:19 AM

-7 Boost

garish? the S is stunning except for those LED lights which are too much.

ThierryHenry14 - 1/27/2011 11:18:35 AM

-8 Boost

Realistically, I think the Equus is proving its worth in the US, because it is gaining some attention... I'm sure that is what this car is intent on doing. Thats what the Lexus did when it first came out.

For a 2nd Gen car, the Equus is decent because it has others to bench mark against.

0to60 - 1/27/2011 11:20:14 AM

+9 Boost

I sat in the Equus. It a Hyundai. No comparison.

Lexus - 1/27/2011 11:20:52 AM

+8 Boost

Lexus is where that are at today because they have proven time and time again that they're one of the most luxurious car with best reliability and quality. If you compare to the number they have sales and the year the have been establish their recall number is very small compare to their competitors.

I guess Toyota/Lexus is Not paying all this other automobile website and magazine enough money to get all this bad review. It okay Toyota/Lexus their are still a lot of customers out there who Do NOT belief everything they see, hear or read.

And I'm Not even going to answer 009 question on this post because it's a Stupid question. Hyundai has improve a lot but No where near the proportion like the way the media hype it up to be.

Agent009 - 1/27/2011 1:09:37 PM

-6 Boost

And Lexus is proving it is only as good as it's Toyota underpinnings. Which has been the source of almost all of the latest recalls.

9nine3 - 1/27/2011 2:20:22 PM

-8 Boost

...and they both follow the German lead whether it be BMW or Mercedes.

KeyserSoze - 1/27/2011 12:01:55 PM

-4 Boost

The Hyundai is good for competition and not just against Lexus, but all the other brands!

tattedtwice - 1/27/2011 12:50:14 PM

-7 Boost

Theyre both derivative and bland and boring excuses for flagships, and Im sure 7 series and s-class owners will peer at them both over the top of their gucci glasses, and either laugh or cringe.

That said, if gun were held to head and I had to buy one, I'd take the Equus. Why in hell should I pay tens of thousands more for a car thats no faster and even more boring to look at and drive, just because it's from a "premium" nameplate....

tattedtwice - 1/27/2011 2:31:50 PM

-8 Boost

Personal attacks only show a nerve has been struck..lol.
Everything I said was hyperbole, dude. My point is, they're both boring ass cars that aren't very impressive beyond their spec sheets.

Any carmakers can throw in every toy available, if the car doesnt DRIVE worth a damn, whats the point. And thats where theyre both let downs; one looks like a buick, the other looks like a big camry, and the driving experience reflects that.

Lexus - 1/27/2011 2:57:08 PM

+9 Boost

I guess that is why Lexus won again for selling the most premium brand in the U.S. what is it? 11 years in a row? Yeah eventually they will lose it to someone because no one can be number forever, but for now they're number #1 premium selling brand in the U.S.

And guess what? BMW, MB and Audi are buying shi$$ of ad time during the Super Bowl to beat Lexus, who is leading and who is following? Obviously Lexus is winning when it come to sales in the U.S. FYI a fully loaded Lexus cost almost as much or more than a fully loaded BMW, MB and Audi so don't give me that cheaper excuses

I like all type of cars including one from German, Britain, Italy, Sweden, American and Japan. Give credit where credit deserve.

Denali - 1/27/2011 1:03:23 PM

+7 Boost

Equus is damed good, but beating meaning "outsell" the LS is crazy...LS outsells A8, 7 and XJ combine......FACT

tattedtwice - 1/27/2011 2:40:03 PM

-5 Boost

Bless your ignornant, misinformed heart. Please learn what a FACT is before you start typing. The a8, 7 and xj combined is ~6k MORE than the ls's 2010 total, so clearly it doesn't 'outsell them combined.'

Lexus - 1/27/2011 2:59:15 PM

+6 Boost

@9nine3

I guess that is why Lexus won again for selling the most premium brand in the U.S. what is it? 11 years in a row? Yeah eventually they will lose it to someone because no one can be number forever, but for now they're number #1 premium selling brand in the U.S.

And guess what? BMW, MB and Audi are buying shi$$ of ad time during the Super Bowl to beat Lexus, who is leading and who is following? Obviously Lexus is winning when it come to sales in the U.S. FYI a fully loaded Lexus cost almost as much or more than a fully loaded BMW, MB and Audi so don't give me that cheaper excuses

I like all type of cars including one from German, Britain, Italy, Sweden, American and Japan. Give credit where credit deserve.

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/27/2011 3:29:26 PM

-4 Boost

"fully loaded Lexus cost almost as much or more than a fully loaded BMW, MB and Audi so don't give me that cheaper excuses"

Lets see how close

Lexus 460 L base price $71,775, optioned out $73,630

BMW 750iL base price $86,400 optioned out $114,025

built on BMW and Lexus website BMW did not have M sport package or Indivivual options.

The BMW comes in $40,395 more, that is hardly "almost as much".

Lexus - 1/27/2011 3:50:52 PM

+5 Boost

Why don't we compare the BMW 750iL with the Lexus LS600 hl fully loaded and see what is the different? ; )

Let see what msn.com auto section said for a brand new Lexus LS600 hl MSRP Price: $111,350 that pretty close to the $114,025 for BMW 750iL with optioned the price you posted.

Lexus - 1/27/2011 4:00:49 PM

+6 Boost

Is this close enough? www.msn auto had the Lexus LS600 hl at a MSRP Price of $111,350, LMAO ha...ha...ha... ; ) I know you love your BMW so do I, but stop making comment like this because you're making the REAL BMW hardcore fans look bad.

I think most, if not all of us up here would love a car that give us the fun, thrill and make you feel Alive when you drive your car from point A to point B. It does not matter what it from.

Give credit where credit is due. I love BMW and I wouldn't mind owning a BMW M3 or the generation BMW M6 in Pearl white.

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/27/2011 4:12:23 PM

-4 Boost

Because the LS600 hl is suppose to compete with the 760Li base price of $137,000 you should have hit me back with the BMW Active hybrid 750iL priced at $106,200.

LexSucks - 1/27/2011 5:04:09 PM

+3 Boost

That's just Car & Drivers opinion. I stopped reading those rags years ago (except for a few yearly articles). Since when does Car & Drivers Opinion dictate Truth? I probably agree with them, but that doesn't mean that the Hyundia is a better car, it isn't. Just like the 1989 LS400 wasn't as good as the 560 SELs and 7-series of that day.

Lexus - 1/27/2011 6:42:38 PM

+6 Boost

@theoptimisticpessimist,

Typical German auto snob I can't agrue and win. And what happen the German was making fun of Lexus win they make their Lexus 600hl and now they're copying it. Ha....ha...ha... Got to love the German and their snob driver who think they're to good for everyone.

enthusiastx11 - 1/27/2011 6:46:19 PM

-4 Boost

you're not arguing effectively. use some facts. don't compare the LS600 (which lexus goes on and on about being 'like a v12') with the 750Li. the LS600 is supposed to compete with the $150,000 760 (which it doesn't since it's priced like and accelerates like a 750).

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/27/2011 7:09:46 PM

-3 Boost

How am I an "auto snob" the majoriaty of U.S. comparison have placed the 600L h against V12 cars (the majoriaty of foriegn test have placed it against diesels). Please point to a comparison test that put the 750Li against the 600l h, I've have only seen the 460 compared to the 750 and 740. You mock me, saying "you're making the REAL BMW hardcore fans look bad" and have yet to produce any evidence to support your argument, in fact I gave you you're strongest evidence against mine with BMW hybrid. BTW if you think I a some blind BMW fan boy you should really look of some me comments about all BMW's.

enthusiastx11 - 1/27/2011 6:48:56 PM

-4 Boost

here's what it comes down to....

if you can spend $100-120,000, you get an S550 or a 750Li.

if you can spend $65-80,000, you get an LS (or a 5-series if performance matters to you).

if you can spend $50,000 or so, go for the equus if you want a large, V8 luxury car.

enthusiastx11 - 1/28/2011 1:48:18 AM

-2 Boost

i happen to thoroughly enjoy my 2011 535i as i have enjoyed the 3 BMWs i've had before it. i'm quite confident in my choice of car. what would you suggest i drive in the competitive set of the 5-series? what do you drive?

enthusiastx11 - 1/29/2011 1:32:40 PM

+1 Boost

non: what do you drive?

KeyserSoze - 1/27/2011 8:59:08 PM

0 Boost

Who cares which one is the cheapest or the most expensive? As long as the consumer wins at the end of day!

nguyenvuminh - 1/27/2011 9:23:47 PM

+5 Boost

I do find 009's insistence on Hyundai being Lexus-killer curious. Is it a case of trying to not repeating past mistake (not taking Lexus LS class seriously back in the 90s only to see it now being spoken in the same paragraph as the S and 7 class?). Or is it a case of seeing genuine competition to the LS? If it's the latter, I think there is still a slight advantage for LS in terms of materials, fit and finish, etc. I think Hyundai is matching LS in terms of features but in terms of overall feel, it's still lagging. I suppose some of you can say the same thing about LS vs the S and 7 class. That's just my opinion anyway.

abcd - 1/29/2011 9:18:14 AM

+1 Boost

I don't think that he cares much about Hyundai, but he definitely cares very much about BMW, Audi, Mercedes and knows very well that "enemy of my enemy is my friend". He wants to avoid putting Hyundai Equus as the competitor for BMW, Merc, Audi while focusing attention on Hyundai vs Toyota or Lexus.

quizz - 1/27/2011 9:58:59 PM

+1 Boost

In the $55K range, nothing comes close.

enthusiastx11 - 1/28/2011 1:50:47 AM

-3 Boost

that would be a great comparison. but the lexus is hardly "stripped out" at $65K. the list of standard equipment is very extensive. for $70k it's loaded with everything you could need.

enthusiastx11 - 1/28/2011 1:50:48 AM

-3 Boost

that would be a great comparison. but the lexus is hardly "stripped out" at $65K. the list of standard equipment is very extensive. for $70k it's loaded with everything you could need.

ctsang - 1/28/2011 10:55:42 AM

+1 Boost

ask the real wealthy Koreans which cars they perfer

knowitall1985 - 1/28/2011 11:55:02 AM

+3 Boost

We will see what happen's over time. My guess is the expensive hun-day will fall apart and resale will suck. What do I know I've only sold luxury cars for 26 years.

rxh8me9000 - 1/28/2011 1:37:00 PM

+1 Boost

And leave it to the readers to complain and waste 2 min of their life writing how much they hate articles like this. Just browse and leave if you dont like it.

NSXR - 1/28/2011 2:07:00 PM

0 Boost

The Equus is having a great run in Korea. I was in Incheon for a day this month, and the ratio of new, black Equus's compared to all late model luxury cars must have been at least 4 to 1. Was it the weather [snowing], I don't know; but the Equus does look stunning in black against the snowy landscape!

inter1121 - 1/30/2011 2:33:39 AM

+2 Boost

I own a Lexus LS460L and I considered trying out the Equus for when my lease expired. I’m really hesitant to call it comparable though. The quality of the car is just noticeably much lower. The wood looks cheap, it’s really plasticky around the center console, the navigation system tech is old, and even the leather seats feel cheaper. The only real way to notice it is if you step inside the lexus and then in the equus, because alone, the equus ain’t a bad car. But when you juxtapose the two, the decision is obvious.

Also, you can get a pretty discounted deal on a Lexus LS 460L with more bells and whistles than the equus while hyundai dealerships have been really shrewd and greedy in their efforts to sell the equus and have often been asking to pay over MSRP for the vehicle, which just defeats the purpose of the vehicle as a discount car. Also, an equus will depreciate a lot faster than an LS 460L.