Buy/Drive/Burn: Unpopular V8 Sedans From 2016
Commenter Chocolatedeath is absolutely adamant we talk about today’s trio of unpopular sedans. They’ve all got V8s, rear-drive, and found few buyers in their day, but that won’t stop us from choosing one among them to take home.
So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at Chocolatedeath’s car comparison, shall we?
Hyundai Equus
Believe it or not, the Equus debuted a full decade ago at the 2010 New York Auto Show. The second-generation Equus was the first to arrive in North America, and did so for the 2011 model year with a large 4.6-liter V8 engine. Only first-year versions had the 4.6L; after that the top-spec 5.0-liter Tau V8 took its place.
Important engine figures included 429 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque (if filled with premium fuel). The Equus was 203 inches long in sedan guise, but the available limo version was not imported to North America. All-wheel drive was never an option with Equus, and all versions utilized the same eight-speed automatic between 2012 and 2016. Equus was replaced in 2017 by the superior Genesis G90.
Infiniti Q70
The Q70’s design hailed from 2011, when two new versions of the brand’s M sedan debuted as the M35 and M56. Underneath, the new M used an “enhanced” and stretched version of Nissan’s rear-drive FM platform that debuted with the G35 in 2003. With new, swoopy styling replacing the blocky looks of the outgoing M, the new M became the (two inches) larger car it always wanted to be.
There was a slight refresh and name change in 2013 as Infiniti transitioned from various alphabet soup to Q-everything. The M37 became Q70 3.7, the M56 became Q70 5.6, and exterior length remained the same at 194.7 inches. A long-wheelbase version was available from 2014 onward. Four-wheel drive was also optional, making the Q70’s configurations the most comprehensive of our trio. Today’s selection is the Q70 5.6, in standard wheelbase and with rear-drive. A seven-speed auto sends 420 horses and 417 lb-ft of torque to the wheels. The Q70 was cancelled after the 2019 model year without replacement, because Infiniti has never once proffered a large(ish) luxury sedan customers wanted to buy.
Kia K900
At home the K900 was named K9, but for North America a couple zeroes were added to its badge. New for the 2013 model year, the K900 shared a platform with the above Equus as well as the smaller, first-generation Genesis sedan. The 200-inch K900 benefited from a later introduction than the Equus, and used the same GDI version of the 5.0-liter Tau V8.
Much like the Equus, the K900 used an eight-speed automatic transmission, and was available only in rear-drive configuration. Unlike the Equus, the K900 wore big KIA badges on it, which tended to ruin any luxury aspirations. This issue was reflected in Canadian sales figures, which totaled 96 between 2014 and 2018. The K900 was replaced in 2019 by a second generation which looks more upscale and Mercedes-Bentley like.
Two large sedans, one large-medium sedan, limited consumer desirability. Which one gets the Buy in 2016?
[Images: Kia, Infiniti, Hyundai]
Interested in lots of cars and their various historical contexts. Started writing articles for TTAC in late 2016, when my first posts were QOTDs. From there I started a few new series like Rare Rides, Buy/Drive/Burn, Abandoned History, and most recently Rare Rides Icons. Operating from a home base in Cincinnati, Ohio, a relative auto journalist dead zone. Many of my articles are prompted by something I'll see on social media that sparks my interest and causes me to research. Finding articles and information from the early days of the internet and beyond that covers the little details lost to time: trim packages, color and wheel choices, interior fabrics. Beyond those, I'm fascinated by automotive industry experiments, both failures and successes. Lately I've taken an interest in AI, and generating "what if" type images for car models long dead. Reincarnating a modern Toyota Paseo, Lincoln Mark IX, or Isuzu Trooper through a text prompt is fun. Fun to post them on Twitter too, and watch people overreact. To that end, the social media I use most is Twitter, @CoreyLewis86. I also contribute pieces for Forbes Wheels and Forbes Home.
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Looks are subjective. I don't mind the looks so much as the fact that it is a Chinese made vehicle with a premium price. The looks are not polarizing but they are nothing to write home about--meh, meh, meh. Most of today's vehicles have blah styling and are offered in blah colors. Reminds me of the song "Little Boxes" all are ticky tacky like. Not offensive but you could put a Kia name or a BMW/Mercedes name on them at it is hard to tell the difference.
Buy Equus; I just saw a 2017 G90 Premium with the 5.0 V8 and 38k miles offered for $40k. This car had a sticker price of $85,000 three years ago. Drive: Equus, 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, this is a 2.5 ton vehicle. Burn: Infiniti and K9000, both ugly as sin. Another one here who can't understand the Hyundai hate. I'm driving a loaded 2012 Genesis I picked up two years ago with 36k miles for about 35% of list. I just saw a 2013 R Spec with the 5.0 V8 being offered for $14,500 with 65k miles. This has a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds, there's no replacement for displacement.