Snapshot:
Large sedan, front-wheel-drive, V-6 engine with 5-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment list like a luxury sedan but moderately priced. Impressive warranty.
How Much?:
Price for a 2004 Kia Amanti in the US is $24,900.
The Inside Story:
Kia takes a lengthy leap into the large sedan class with a very roomy interior marked by a limo-like roof that makes clambering into the rear seat easier, adds headroom. Power assists include doors, windows, mirrors, 8-way driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, custom sound system with 6-disc in-dash CD, steering wheel-mounted audio/cruise controls, eight airbags.
Under the Hood:
The one engine available in a 2004 Kia Amanti is a 194 hp DOHC V-6 with 194 hp plus a healthy 216 lb.-ft. of torque. EPA mileage in the base engine is 18/26 city/highway.
Transmissions:
The only transmission in the 2004 Kia Amanti is a 5-speed automatic.
Warranty:
5 years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper. 10 years/100,000 miles powertrain.
Should You Buy a 2004 Kia Amanti?:
With a grille like a Chrysler 300 and a roofline like a Town Car, the 2004 Kia Amanti is a little short on originality. Still, this is a serious competitor in this class when that vast features list and long warranty is considered. Kia clearly believes the buyer of a large car should get a car that needs no extras. A concept that, to us, makes a great deal of sense. And at the price, the Amanti certainly is a deal. You won't mistake the 2004 Kia Amanti for a sports sedan but that's not the point here; Amanti buyers won't be the sporty type. Not behind the wheel, anyway.
