You know a car gets minimal updates for a new model year when the automaker mentions a feature like Hands-free Smart Trunk with Automatic Opening in the first paragraph of a press release.

That’s the main new feature the Hyundai Equus luxury sedan brings for the 2016 model year. Offered as an option for to the Ultimate trim level, the Hands-free Smart Trunk with Automatic Opening enables the owner to open the trunk, hands-free, by simply standing for a few seconds within a few feet of the Equus trunk with the Equus key in their pocket or purse.

Hyundai says the hands-free function is easier to use than many competitors that require the driver to kick near a sensor below the trunk to release it. The 2016 Equus also offers the Hyundai Blue Link safety, service and infotainment telematics system, which includes features like remote start, destination search powered by Google, remote door lock/unlock and stolen vehicle recovery.

The sedan comes standard with one year of complimentary Blue Link Connected Care, a suite of safety and car care features including automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, monthly vehicle health reporting and maintenance alerts.

The Equus’ powertrain carries on unchanged, with the 5.0-liter Tau V8 engine producing 429hp at 6,400 rpm and 376lb-ft (509Nm) of torque at 5,000 rpm. EPA fuel economy is estimated at 15 mpg (15.7 l/100 km) city, 23 mpg (10.2 l/100 km) highway and 18 mpg (13 l/100 km) combined.

The engine is mated to a Hyundai-developed 8-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual shift capability which sends power to the rear wheels.

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