Hyundai · 1999–2016

Hyundai Equus

The Hyundai Equus (Korean: 현대 에쿠스; RR: Hyundai Equus) is a full-sized, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by Hyundai Motor Company from 1999 to 2016. It was produced over two generations in a four-door, five passenger configuration. The nameplate derives from the Latin equus, meaning "horse." A second generation was released in 2009. As of August 2014, it was sold in South Korea, Russia, China, United States, Canada, Central America, and South America — as well as in the Middle East under the Hyundai Centennial (현대 센테니얼) nameplate. On November 4, 2015, Hyundai officially announced it would move the Genesis model to Hyundai's new luxury vehicle division, Genesis Motor. The 2016 successor to the Hyundai Equus was rebranded as Genesis G90 (EQ900 in Korea until 2018).

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Hyundai Dynasty · Successor: Genesis G90

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First generation (LZ/YJ; 1999)

In 1999, Hyundai Motors and Mitsubishi Motors presented their full-size sedan. Hyundai said that it was making a full-size sedan to compete with Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series in the Korean market. In reality, it was competing against its domestic rival, the SsangYong Chairman. Hyundai had great success with the Equus in Korea, but very few were exported to other countries. One was exported for the 2001 New York International Auto Show to gauge the reaction of U.S. consumers. Hyundai identified the car to the U.S. consumers as the Hyundai LZ450 luxury sedan but it was not sold in the United States. The first generation was designed by Mitsubishi Motors, who had their own version called the Proudia. It was jointly manufactured by both companies. The first-generation model was introduced in 1999 as a front-wheel-drive car measuring 5.1 metres (200.8 in) long and 1.9 metres (74.8 in) wide. A long-wheelbase limousine model was available exclusively for the Korean domestic market, and at ₩92,510,000 South Korean won for the 2008 model with a V8 and no options, was the most expensive model in the company's lineup. The first-generation Equus extended-length limousine was also mechanically related to the Mitsubishi Dignity limousine for the Japanese market. The first-generation Equus were sold in South Korea, China, and the Middle East. A very limited number, badged as the Centennial, were made available for some western European markets in the early and mid-2000s. At first, there were two engine types: a 3.5 Sigma V6 and 4.5 8A80 (Omega) V8 engine. After a few months, the 3.0 Sigma V6 engine type was added. Two versions were available: a sedan (3.0, 3.5 and 4.5) and a limousine (3.5 and 4.5). In Japan, under the name of Mitsubishi Dignity (limousine version) and Mitsub

Second generation (VI; 2009)

=== Initial version === The second generation Equus, codename "VI", was unveiled at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. Unlike the old Equus, the VI has a rear-wheel drive architecture, a longer wheelbase, and a different engine. The VI is based on an all-new platform, developed in-house by the Hyundai Motor Corporation. The South Korean domestic market Equus was available as a 3.8L "Prime" and a 4.6L "Prestige." It is the most expensive model in the company's lineup. It launched in the People's Republic of China in August 2009. The Hyundai Equus was listed in the '10 exciting cars for 2010' from Forbes. The US model was announced in 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and was unveiled in 2010 New York Auto Show. Early US model includes the same 4.6L V8 engine as the Genesis except with 10 hp (7 kW) more than the current version. This puts the total engine output at 385 hp (287 kW) with 333 lb⋅ft (451 N⋅m). The North American Equus features a badge attached on the hood as opposed to the hood ornament, the grille features a horizontal grid pattern like its Genesis sibling as opposed to the vertical one on international models, and an included iPad device with an Equus user's guide application pre-installed as opposed to a traditional owner's manual. It was the first Hyundai with an Electronically controlled air suspension (EAS) and Continuous Damping Control (CDC). It was also the first Hyundai with Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) collision avoidance system that manages electronic stability control, the electronic parking brake, radar smart cruise control and the seatbelt tensioning system for optimal safety. Equus Limousine. The long-wheelbase version Equus was unveiled in September 2009. It is 300 mm (11.8 in) longer than the sedan version. Engine choices include Lambda 3.8L

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Hyundai Equus

Manufacturer

Hyundai

Production

1999–2016

Assembly

South Korea: Ulsan (Hyundai Motor Company Ulsan Plant), Russia: Kaliningrad (Avtotor: 2013–2016)

Class

Full-size luxury car (F)

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (1999–2009), Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (2009–2016)

Body style

4-door sedan

Successor

Genesis G90

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q482701CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_EquusCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1365999331 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyundai_new_equus(KDM)_(5).jpgPublic domain · Photo: 問題無い en:user:Cherry Blossom OK · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — http://equus.hyundai.com/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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