Hyundai Made This Weird S-Class Rival In The Early 2000s

The subject of Doug DeMuro's latest quirks and features deep dive is the 2002 Hyundai Equus

Updated: 10 Oct 2024

Korean manufacturers have tried on many occasions - with varying degrees of success - to take on Germany’s finest luxury cars. These upstarts are well-known on the whole, but there is one luxury contender that might have passed you by: the first-generation Hyundai Equus.

Built as part of a joint-venture with Mitsubishi (the latter brand’s versions were the badged Proudia and Destiny), it’s a rather more humble setup underneath compared to apparent rivals from Germany: all were front-wheel drive, and most were powered by V6s.

But that’s not to say the Equus is dull - there are plenty of odd features on this UAE-registered version for quirk-hunter Doug DeMuro to sink his teeth into. We’re particularly fond of the foldable middle section of the front driver’s seat - a setup you’ll also find on the Toyota Century. It’s like a ski-flap, but for your legs, giving one of the rear seat passengers room to stretch out fully. Simple but ingenious, no?

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

Honestly, that seat hole is absolutely amazing. Even though in an accident you can kiss your legs goodbye, its looks so comfortable.

Thought about the same. The phrase from MCM “getting chopped” suits pretty good here.
But hey, at least you sat comfortable the last time your legs were attached to your body.

I saw this post early but it said error

Back when I lived in Saudi Arabia, I used to see those Equus occasionally and I couldn’t give a damn about what brand it really was up until now. And after 10 years I learn it’s a Hyundai! :O