REPORT: Hyundai Equus coming to the States in July 2010, priced under $60,000

[mgescuro]

Let's explore interiors, shall we??

Hyundai Genesis


VW Phaeton


Audi A8


BMW 7


Mercedes S


Lexus LS


Jaguar XJ

[big swede]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Let's explore interiors, shall we??

Everyone better pick up their game even Audi.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by big swede

Everyone better pick up their game even Audi.

New A8 is en route.
S-class I'm not worried about because that interior can be infinitely upgraded with the designo options.
7-series has a variety of leathers and wood at its disposal. It jsut went through an MCE, but I'm unclear what in the interior changed.
XJ will be all new in < 2 weeks, with a rumored uber-high tech interior that will put even S-Class to shame.

Lexus needs the most help out of the ones here. It's also the one most in danger from Equus, IMHO. The LS really screams "Toyota Parts Bin." It's very frustrating to see the dichotomy in that car. Soooo nice, yet soooo cheap!! I couldn't justify spending the kind of money to own an LS.

[tbirderic]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Let's explore interiors, shall we??

Mgescuro, you forgot the Cadillac and Lincoln equiv.... oh wait, that's right, there is none.

As you, wesconet, Sal, and AndrewGS have all stated, it's a travesty that American car companies do not produce and sell a car in America that competes with the cars illustrated above.

What is particularly galling is that GM has the resources and capabilities to do this. Currently, the best full-size luxo sedans GM makes are the extended Zeta variants; the Park Avenue/Caprice/Veritas. Why these cars are not offered in the US is beyond me. Instead, if you want a large, well equipped GM car, GM expects us to be satisfied with the STS, DTS, and the Lucerne.

I find it sadly ironic that the very country did the most to define the excessively large and ostentatious luxury car no longer produces such a car.

[wescoent]

Nah... let's go there:

Cadillac

[Sal Collaziano]

Haha! Thank you. :p Yeah, we don't agree on everything but we certainly have a lot we do agree on.. I AM a serious Cadillac enthusiast/fan and I'd like NOTHING more (in regards to the automotive industry) for Cadillac to be the "standard of the world" once again. I grew up in Cadillacs and I find it a real shame that I can't drive one anymore. My German friends all have German cars and they're very proud of their heritage and BMWs/Mercedes. For me and my family, we've always had Lincolns and Cadillacs - and to me, if feels like Cadillac is part of my Italian heritage (even though it's just a stereotype). I'd be very proud to drive another Cadillac - I just need to feel it's at least as good as other vehicles out there. It doesn't need to top Bentley or Rolls Royce - just be on par (or CLOSE even) to Mercedes, BMW and/or Lexus. Or now - Hyundai.

To be honest, I even LOVED my 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.. Even though it didn't have all the high tech gadgetry of the S-Class, LS or 7-Series. It was very big, very comfortable and had HUGE road presence. So I dealt with the lack of features for awhile - and I was happy. I sold it because things like navigation, heated and cooled seats and a nicer stereo system were important to me. BUT - I'd probably STILL deal without those things if there were a 2010 Cadillac Fleetwood. It doesn't need to be AS BIG as it used to be on the outside - just as big as a Lincoln Town Car and I could easily deal with it.

That's not saying, however, that I don't feel Cadillac SHOULD have the features their competitors offer. And I do understand that they don't exactly have the money to make that happen right now. I really do.. But I've come to expect "more" these days. After my Lexus LS430, I found out what a truly well-built luxury car was all about. After my BMW 750Li, I learned that a full-size luxury car can drive smoothly, offer nearly every luxury amenity and STILL be very fun to drive (excellent handling). I'm not sure what's in store for me next - but it's depressing almost knowing for sure it won't be a Cadillac...

I KNOW GM has the know-how.. What pisses me off more than anything is - it's all about politics.. That's why we don't have a proper full-size flagship. If I'm wrong, let me know...

Originally Posted by wescoent

Sal, you're such a stereotype. Big Italian guy from Florida with an Escalade and big luxury cars? You'd blend right in at my family reunions.

I also really appreciate that you post here, because you're probably the truest fan Cadillac has here, and indicative of the customer they've thrown away by cheaping out. You appreciate your cars big, comfortable, and flashy, and have the money to back up those preferences. Cadillac used to make MILLIONS off guys like you. Big Fleetwoods, Devilles, and Eldorados of the 50's through 90's.

You want a big, comfortable Cadillac sedan. Does it matter to you if it costs $50k or $100k? Not really. You just want it modern, spacious, and with ALL the latest luxury features.

Your attitude echos the conversations I've had with my cousins at our bespoke family reunions. They're AGHAST that the STS is the best Cadillac can offer, while Hyundai, Mercedes, and BMW, companies known for their little slotcars of the 70's and 80's (or in the case of Hyundai, tin cans) are now cleaning their clock with luxury liners like the S550, 750Li, and Genesis/Equus.

Am I wrong?

[Sal Collaziano]

This is what the BMW 750Li interior looks like.. Scratch the one above...

Originally Posted by mgescuro

New A8 is en route.
S-class I'm not worried about because that interior can be infinitely upgraded with the designo options.
7-series has a variety of leathers and wood at its disposal. It jsut went through an MCE, but I'm unclear what in the interior changed.
XJ will be all new in < 2 weeks, with a rumored uber-high tech interior that will put even S-Class to shame.

Lexus needs the most help out of the ones here. It's also the one most in danger from Equus, IMHO. The LS really screams "Toyota Parts Bin." It's very frustrating to see the dichotomy in that car. Soooo nice, yet soooo cheap!! I couldn't justify spending the kind of money to own an LS.

[Sal Collaziano]

Honestly, I'd have NO problem at all if Cadillac would just COPY someone else's interior. So it may not be original - at least it would be nice...

Originally Posted by wescoent

Nah... let's go there:

Cadillac

[bigbuck16]

The MKS interior is good enough to compete with the big boys.

[Sal Collaziano]

Originally Posted by bigbuck16

The MKS interior is good enough to compete with the big boys.

I like the MKS interior except for the center stack. Take the center stack from the CTS and you've got a world class interior.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

I like the MKS interior except for the center stack. Take the center stack from the CTS and you've got a world class interior.

Eh... MKS has a couple of cheapie bits here and there.

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

Haha! Thank you. :p Yeah, we don't agree on everything but we certainly have a lot we do agree on.. I AM a serious Cadillac enthusiast/fan and I'd like NOTHING more (in regards to the automotive industry) for Cadillac to be the "standard of the world" once again.

For me and my family, we've always had Lincolns and Cadillacs - and to me, if feels like Cadillac is part of my Italian heritage (even though it's just a stereotype).
.

It's funny... our vehicle preferences couldn't be more different. I really don't like large vehicles at all, whereas I'm sure you're not a fan of little ones, yet here we can have a pleasant discussion on how to improve a brand.

My family is the same way... we've ALWAYS had Lincolns and Cadillacs, and only in this latest generation have we begun to switch to Mercedes-Benz and other brands. My dear old uncle just traded out of his 1999 Cadillac Seville, into a Mercedes CLS550, because the new STS looks too tall, he says.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by Xenon

Hey, that reminds me of a certain Cadillac equipped with a Northstar that does similar things. What's pretty sad is that soon enough Hyundai will be more prevalent in the luxury sector than ANY domestic automaker will be.

Ok, fine.

Here's what I see.

As we all know, there is in this market a useful to recognize line between import owners / intenders and domestic.

Irrespective of exactly which models where and how, anything this vehicle accomplishes is going to be coming way more out of the import group.

Most likely would be current Hyundai owners that have a good feel for the brand and want to move up.

Don't forget they pick up a 10% VAT subsidy coming out of Korea and that this vehicle's sales have been somewhat erratic where offered previously.

So the point is at the Corporate level, they could blow them all out all the time and still end up with a sizable profit improvement and overall victory.

Subsidized leases and purchasing options to one degree or another as needed are probably going to make or break this program in this market such as it is.

If they can get three or four strong critical reviews done quick then they'll have a chance - to accomplish 'something'.

You are correct on your other post. Come what may, they sure got a pair.

[Sal Collaziano]

Hey, the CLS550 is a really nice looking car.. My wife wanted one of those as well - but when we test drove it, we felt it was a little too narrow..

I must admit that while I do love large cars, driving a 3-Series loaner every so often has changed my perspective a bit. I had a 5-Series last week and I was impressed by it. But - the 3-Series REALLY impressed me. It's NOT that small inside.. Not cramped at all. I don't know how BMW does it - but they do a good job of making a small car very comfortable. And the way it drove and handled - it's really just amazing.. If I were single, I think I'd have a 335i with the $7k worth of Dinan mods to make it an M3 killer. :p

I'd even consider a 135i but I would look absolutely ridiculous in it. :p

Originally Posted by wescoent

Eh... MKS has a couple of cheapie bits here and there.

It's funny... our vehicle preferences couldn't be more different. I really don't like large vehicles at all, whereas I'm sure you're not a fan of little ones, yet here we can have a pleasant discussion on how to improve a brand.

My family is the same way... we've ALWAYS had Lincolns and Cadillacs, and only in this latest generation have we begun to switch to Mercedes-Benz and other brands. My dear old uncle just traded out of his 1999 Cadillac Seville, into a Mercedes CLS550, because the new STS looks too tall, he says.

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Let's explore interiors, shall we??

Hyundai Genesis


VW Phaeton


Audi A8


BMW 7


Mercedes S


Lexus LS


Jaguar XJ

For my tastes, the Hyundai wins hands down...to me it looks refined and elegant and very upscale yet subdued and tasteful...unless all that wood is plasticky!

[Sal Collaziano]

The wood is real...

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

For my tastes, the Hyundai wins hands down...to me it looks refined and elegant and very upscale yet subdued and tasteful...unless all that wood is plasticky!