Equus Earns Top Accolade for Unusual Element

The 2014 Hyundai Equus underwent a refresh in the summer of 2013 that appears to be paying off with the receipt of a major accolade. But what's most amazing is why the luxury sedan won the award.

For 2014, Ward's Auto has proclaimed that the 2014 Hyundai Equus was named to this year’s “Ward’s 10 Best Interiors” list by the editors of WardsAuto.com. The Equus is in some pretty good company, including Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Chrysler 200C, GMC Sierra Denali, Jeep Cherokee Limited, Kia Soul+, Mazda3, Mercedes-Benz S550, Rolls-Royce Wraith and Volkswagen GTI.

What's so special about the Equus? Turns out the editors at Ward's were most impressed with its rear seat. My nine-year-old daughter would agree. She calls the Equus the Korean limo.

“The Hyundai Equus Ultimate has everything you would expect from a $120,000 ultra-luxury car, for about $50,000 less,” said Drew Winter, editor-in-chief, WardsAuto World magazine. “While there is plenty of fine craftsmanship and sumptuous leather to go around, WardsAuto editors were most impressed with the limousine-like rear seating area of the Equus. A button on the rear armrest is labeled ‘relax.’ Push the button and the front passenger seat moves all the way forward while the rear seat reclines all the way back like a business-class airline seat. Even with a sticker approaching $70,000, that’s really special.”

Just think how annoying it must be to Audi to see its cars not on this list while Hyundai is. Frankly, I've always been just a tad skeptical when Hyundai would benchmark Audi and the other Germans. I always felt the Equus got close but never quite succeeded.

Eight WardsAuto editors selected the 10 winners from a field of 41 vehicles with all-new or redesigned passenger compartments. Editors spent two months evaluating the vehicles’ features including ergonomics, driver information, fit-and-finish, materials, value, safety, comfort and design harmony. There was no price cap on entries.

Ultimately, WardsAuto editors are looking for interiors that raise the bar not only for that particular brand but also for that vehicle’s segment.