2006
Kia Amanti
The Lap of Luxury
Susan Frissell
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SPECS |
As "hot" as they deserve to be, Korean cars have been selling well. Why in 2004 alone, Hyundai Automotive's two brands Kia and Hyundai sold nearly 690,000 cars and trucks in the U.S. In 2005, Hyundai sales outpaced Toyota, Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz in a J.D. Power and Associates initial-quality study, while Kia came in lower but ahead of Nissan and Mazda. So there.
Recommending Korean cars for several years now, friends are beginning to take me seriously. Another plus-and faith in the product-is the 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty on engines and transmissions. Quality improvements and giving the customer what she wants is selling Hyundai and Kia products. A lot for the money and a very comfortable car to ride in and drive have helped to make both manufacturers worthy contenders.
The Kia Amanti-Kia's flagship-received many compliments from passengers this past week. And while it is an easy car to like-quiet, smooth, peppy-driving it is reminiscent of domestic cars from the 1950s and 1960s. The loose power steering is a little unnerving and takes some getting used to after driving other 2006 sedans from various manufacturers.
My first reaction was "Gee, this floats like a boat." While that isn't necessarily a bad thing, put up against today's hug-the-road, sport-inspired sedans, the Amanti seems average. Once a driver becomes accustomed to driving the likes of a BMW or Audi, getting into the Amanti pales by comparison.
But it probably isn't fair to compare the near-luxury Amanti with a much-more upscale (read: expensive) BMW or Audi sedan. Rather, Amanti is competing with the Toyota Avalon and the Ford Five-Hundred. Hovering close to the $35,000 mark for a top-of-the-line Toyota Avalon Limited, the Kia Amanti we drove carried a total MSRP of $29,935. The Five-Hundred base model comes in around $22,795. Some of the features that are standard on the Amanti (side-curtain airbags), are optional on the Five-Hundred.
Standard equipment on the Amanti includes such things as leather seat trim, heated front seats, fog lamps, windshield de-icer, power sunroof with sliding sunshade, power windows, door locks, heated mirrors, 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support, 4-way power front passenger's seat, ABS, dual advanced front airbags, and leather steering wheel with audio and cruise remote.
Our test Amanti came equipped with two options: Electronic Stability Package (Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Brake Assist), $500 and Infinity Sound System (AM/FM/Cass/6-disc CD Audio, Infinity Speakers with subwoofer, 2-position memory for driver's seat, 2-position memory for outside mirrors, 4" monitor with trip computer), $1,000. The Infinity Package is new for 2006. Destination charges run $640.
The engine in the Kia Amanti is a very responsive 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6, teamed with a 5-speed automatic transmission with clutchless manual, Kia's V-6 is so peppy, in fact, that I found myself braking when it lurched ahead to tail the car in front of me. One need not worry when entering an expressway. The Amanti climbs to speed effortlessly (although some may say "adequately" we found it to be enough) and the ride is quiet and smooth. The speedo is clocked for 160 mph.
Amanti's square shape is also suggestive of cars from days past. But the styling is attractive and works. I received several compliments about how it looks, one person comparing it to a Jaguar.
The Amanti's interior is spacious and comfortable. Five people can ride comfortably and there is adequate leg and headroom. For 2006, Kia has added several luxury items as standard equipment including leather seats, heated front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink system and power sunroof.
Copyright 2006. Susan Frissell. WomenWithWheels.com