Hyundai's rapid climb up the social ladder can't be good for Lexus, which did the same thing 20 years ago and now has a direct competitor for its pretty, well-crafted LS sedan.
Like the Equus, the LS is still a little benign compared with uberluxury sedans like the Jaguar XJ, a stunning piece of glitz with much less rear-seat head room than it once had.
The big German sellers are in the same size class, but it's hard to think of someone stepping down from the BMW 7-Series or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class into an Equus if they're at all brand-snobbish--and the same holds true for the Audi A8, which has fab features like Google Earth maps, but a completely forgettable look.
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 2012 Hyundai EquusBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Audi A8Browse Used Listings |  2012 BMW 7-SeriesBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Jaguar XJBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Mercedes-Benz S ClassBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2012 Hyundai Equus sounds like a warning shot--not literally, of course--over the bow of Lexus and Infiniti. |
The 2012 Audi A8 models might still be fighting for the most prestige among flagships, but they're in the top tier from inside, thanks to their impeccable cabin, innovative cabin tech, and a lean, athletic driving feel. |
The 2012 BMW 7-Series is the Bavarian automaker's flagship model, and it cleverly wraps vast interior space, industry-leading tech, and the expected BMW fleet-footedness. |
Cutting its ties with its illustrious and not so charmed past, the 2012 Jaguar XJ now rocks a swinging style that really suits its dynamic handling. |
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a wide range of personalities--all of them superbly comfortably, some of them outrageously powerful. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $59,000 | $78,750 | $71,000 | $73,700 | $91,850 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 14 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 13 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 12 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Gas V8 | Gas V8 | Turbocharged Gas I6 | Gas V8 | Gas/Electric V6 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Large Cars | Large | Large | Large Car | Large |
| Style Name | ||||
| 4-Door Sedan Signature | 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan 740i RWD | 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan S 400 Hybrid RWD |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| 4 Door Sedan | Sedan | 4-Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic w/Manual Shift | Automatic w/Manual Shift | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2012 Hyundai Equus vs. 2012 Audi A8 | 2012 Hyundai Equus vs. 2012 BMW 7-Series | 2012 Hyundai Equus vs. 2012 Jaguar XJ | 2012 Hyundai Equus vs. 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class | |
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