Hyundai's New Lexus-Fighter Priced $ 7,000 Less Than the Class-Leading LS 460

Hyundai's new 8-cylinder Lexus-fighter, the Equus, goes on sale in December. Out of the gate pricing for the all-new upscale Hyundai starts at $58,000.

Lexus' top of the line 2011 LS 460 starts out at $65,380, approximately $7,300 more than the Hyundai Equus.  Will this price spread allow Hyundai's copycat to steal sales from the Lexus?



Every Equus comes standard with “At Your Service,” Hyundai's revolutionary approach to the luxury ownership experience that provides complimentary valet service and covers all maintenance needs for 5 years or 60,000 miles.  With “At Your Service,” Hyundai Equus owners enjoy no-charge maintenance, including complimentary oil and filter changes, brake pads and rotors, wiper blades, and battery.  Valet pickup and drop-off is provided for all warranty, maintenance and service repairs, and a Genesis or Equus replacement vehicle is provided while the owner’s car is at the dealership.

While the Lexus only offers free maintenance for the first-year of ownership, a loaner vehicle is available during the vehicle's warranty period of 4 years or 50,000 miles. The Lexus distinguishes itself from the Equus, offering lane changing technology, a park assist system and radar-controlled cruise control. Unlike the Equus, the Lexus is also available in a long wheel base model and hybrid model. A long-wheel base Equus is available outside of the U. S.

The Hyundai Equus Ultimate, which starts at $64,500, is equipped with the following features: 50/50 split rear seats (four-passenger seating) with reclining function; passenger-side rear seat: leg support and massage system; cooled rear seats; a rear-seat entertainment system with eight-inch monitor; a thermoelectric rear center console refrigerator; a rear-seat power up/down head restraints with manual tilt; rear-seat illuminated vanity mirrors; forward-view cornering camera and a power trunk lid.

The Executive Class Seating Package for the LS 460 L, which is comparable to Hyundai's Ultimate Package,  includes power butterfly rear headrests; lumbar massage for the rear driver’s side seat; four-zone independent front and rear air conditioning with Lexus' Air Purification system and ceiling climate diffusers; rear-door power sunshades with a fixed rear console and foldout table; and a passenger’s side rear seat recliner with ottoman leg rest. Pricing for the longer edition rear-wheel drive Lexus L model starts at $70,925. To get the Executive Class Seating, one will need to shell out an extra $15,000.