UPDATE: 2026/06/11 11:25 EST BY SEAN MCMANUS
We have added more information regarding the cost of these models in 2026, including a price trends chart and examples of models fetching higher prices at auction.
TopSpeed reviewed the 2016 Hyundai Equus when the sedan was new and compared it favorably with the original Lexus LS. This isn’t an observation to make lightly because a couple of LS superfans are on the staff. While there are some small styling similarities between the South Korean and Japanese sedans, their biggest parallel is that both models demonstrate the plans of their respective brands to occupy a more premium product segment.
If you’re looking for an excellent deal on a used luxury car, a 2014-2016 Equus with the Ultimate trim can be bought for peanuts compared to its original MSRP. It feels at least five times the price, even by 2025 standards. Here’s why we think you would be well-advised to grab one of these sedans before the secret gets out, and the price goes up.
A Look At The 2014-2016 Hyundai Equus Ultimate
2014 Hyundai EquusHyundai
The really cool thing about the Ultimate, and the main reason we’d recommend it over the entry-level model, is the reclining executive chairs in the back. The entry-level trim offers a three-seat bench, which is perfectly acceptable, but it’s nothing you can’t find in pretty much every other sedan. The executive seats in the back make the Equus the perfect ride to take a few colleagues on a business trip, and, most importantly, they make the car feel a lot more expensive than it really is. The Ultimate is the perfect flexing-on-a-budget choice.
2016 Hyundai Equus Ultimate Performance Specs
Engine
5.0-Liter Naturally-Aspirated 8-Cylinder
Power
429 hp
Torque
376 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
The car is still quite nice in the entry-level grade. Three-zone climate control and leather seats come standard, as does a 17-speaker Lexicon sound system and smart cruise control. Additional features for the nicer Ultimate trim include cooled rear seats, power sunshades for the back seats, a heads-up display, power closure for all four doors, and just a lot of neat little touches throughout, such as illuminated vanity mirrors in the back seat.
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It’s More Of A Passenger Car, But It’s Not A Total Bore To Drive
2014 Hyundai EquusHyundai
While reviewing the 2016 model, we noted that the steering felt somewhat numb and the suspension was a bit too soft. It’s not the most driver-oriented car in its segment, and it might not even be fair to compare it to a new Lexus or BMW. However, riding in a luxury sedan is often more about comfort than razor-sharp dynamics. The Equus offers smooth on the road and has plenty of muscle when pulling away from a stop. The 0-60 mph time is around 5.6 seconds.
For comparison, the new Camry is offered exclusively as a hybrid, with a 2.5-liter engine cranking out 225 hp, and a 0-60 time of around seven seconds. There may be more athletic cars than the Equus, but finding one at its price point is a challenge.
Here’s What An Equus Ultimate Will Cost You In 2026
2014 Hyundai Equus interiorHyundai
Luxury cars tend to depreciate faster than almost anything else on the market. There are submarine sandwiches that hold their value better after a year than a typical luxury car. This is bad news for people buying new and hoping to get a fair trade-in value a few years later, but very good news for bargain hunters who don’t mind driving something a few years out of date.
Knowing that a 2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate first hit the market at an MSRP of nearly $70,000, you might not even believe us when we tell you these cars are selling for less than nine grand now. According to the CarBuzz Marketplace, the fair market value for an Equus is roughly $13,000.
When we say “cheaper than a new Camry,” we ain’t foolin’. An entry-level 2026 Toyota Camry starts at $31,000, meaning you could own a couple of examples of the Equus for the same amount of money.
More Miles = Lower Price
Kelley Blue Book assumes an average mileage of around 15,000 miles a year, meaning a 10-year-old Equus would have around 150,000 miles on it. Examples with lower mileage are likely going to cost more. If you don’t mind shopping around and waiting for the perfect deal to pop up, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to find an Equus with well under 100,000 miles for a reasonable price. We recommend waiting for an Ultimate model because, besides the grunty V8, the reclining seats set this car apart and make it feel more expensive.
While this isn’t always the case, buyers can usually find older models for less money since they’ll generally have more miles. This is true in the Equus’ case. Looking at the price trends chart above, we can see the 2012 Equus Signature trim level going for about $8,750 today. The same trim from a few years later is listed at an average of $11,185.
Age doesn’t equal value — mileage and condition carry more weight in that department. For example, a 2013 Equus Signature with only 33k miles sold on Cars & Bids in April 2026 for $18,000. Selling on the same auction site in December 2025 was a 2015 Equus Ultimate with 95,000 miles for $12,100. Both models were in good condition, with the newer example even coming from a dry southwestern state (Texas), but the lower-mileage, lower-trim level unit brought more money.
The Tau V8 Is One Of The Most Underrated Powerplants In Recent Memory
2014 Hyundai Equus engineHyundai
The heart of the Equus is a 5.0-liter V8. It belongs to the Tau engine family, the successor to the Omega line from earlier Equus models. The Tau is arguably one of the most underrated powerplants of the modern era. It may be that this engine was simply cursed, being a direct-injection V8 at a time when automakers were starting to shift toward smaller engines boosted by turbos and electric motors. Case in point, Hyundai’s first hybrid was the LPI Hybrid Avante, released in the Korean market for the 2009 model year, around the same time the first V8 Tau went into development. Alternatively, maybe people just didn’t know they could go to Hyundai for a potent V8, and they didn’t bother looking.
5.0-Liter Tau V8 Engine Specs
Bore
3.78 Inches
Stroke
3.43 Inches
Compression Ratio
11.5:1-11.8:1
Cylinder Block
High-pressure die-cast aluminum
Cylinder Head
Aluminum
A 2015 update to the five-liter Tau saw the compression ratio increase to 11.8:1. Performance specs among the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Equus are identical, though.
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The 5.0-Liter Tau Also Found A Home In Genesis And Kia Models
The 5.0-liter Tau V8 is the Equus’ signature engine, but it also found its way into the 2016-2020 Genesis G80, the 2015-2021 Genesis G90, and the 2012-2021 Kia K900. We can happily recommend any of those cars.
We’ve reviewed them all with strong praise for their brisk takeoffs and luxurious cabins, while noting that none of them are serious competitors to BMW and Lexus when it comes to handling.
Hyundai Equus Alternatives
2013 Lexus LS 600h L painted in brown from the sideLexus
The Hyundai Equus largely rivals models like the Lexus LS (pictured above), Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and other full-size luxury sedans. While the Equus was discontinued after the 2016 model year and fell into obscurity for enthusiasts and those looking for an affordable alternative to a new luxury car, the rest of its competition is still evolving today. That said, we’ll take a look at the current values of each of the Hyundai Equus’ main rivals.
The Lexus LS’s fourth generation was available from 2007 through 2017, with its final facelift happening for the 2013 model year. The 2016 model year (the Equus’ final year) LS 460 RWD is currently worth about $24,400, according to CarBuzz’ price trends data. Mercedes-Benz is always on top in terms of luxury features and status, but the S-Class loses value quickly. Its 2016 S 550 sedan is also worth about $24,500 today, despite its original ~$95k price tag. Finally, we have the BMW 7 Series. It’s still not as cheap as the Equus, but the 2016 750i xDrive is only worth about $20k on the used market today.
Sources: Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Classic.com
