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2009 Kia Amanti Performance Review

July 19, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the V-6 is quite capable...stymied by a sluggish transmission
Cars.com

the V6 provides more than adequate power in any situation
ConsumerGuide

one of the floppiest rides on the market
Car and Driver

the V6 is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control
Edmunds

The 2009 Kia Amanti offers decent performance—especially for a budget car.

According to Edmunds, "the front-wheel-drive Kia Amanti comes with a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 264 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque." Cars.com reports that "the V-6 is quite capable...delivering energetic acceleration from on-ramp stoplights all the way up to highway speeds, and passing at 60 to 70 mph is nearly as easy." Edmunds notes that "in testing, we found the Amanti capable of reaching 60 mph in 6.9 seconds," which is "fairly swift for a big V6-powered sedan." ConsumerGuide vouches "the V6 provides more than adequate power in any situation." Car and Driver calls it "so-so," however. The EPA rates the Kia Amanti at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. However, ConsumerGuide finds their "test Kia Amanti 2009 averaged 17.8 mpg in city/highway driving," pointing out that the "Amanti uses regular-grade gas."

Edmunds reports that "the V6 is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control." They add, "quick downshifts assure that the power is always on tap for merging onto fast-moving freeways or quick passes on two-lane roads." According to Cars.com, "the drivetrain looks good on paper, but in practice it's stymied by a sluggish transmission...toe the gas for power coming out of a corner, and you'll often catch the automatic loitering in the higher gear you were in when you entered the turn."

ConsumerGuide says that the "unusually soft suspension absorbs most smaller bumps fairly well but can be poorly composed over sharper bumps and potholes in city driving," also noting that "highway speeds bring an undue amount of bobbing over larger road imperfections." Edmunds agrees, pointing out "suspension refinements last year sharpened the handling, but many drivers will still find the ride quality to be overly floaty." The Amanti's handling is clearly tuned for comfort, without a bit of sportiness baked into its steering, suspension, or brakes. Car and Driver observes "high content means high curb weight," making the 2009 Kia Amanti "one of the floppiest rides on the market...a comfortable highway and byway cruiser for nonenthusiasts, but with numb steering, [and] a soft suspension." Regarding braking quality, Cars.com comments "the pedal feels a bit on the mushy side, but it delivers firm stopping power when pushed hard."

Conclusion

The 2009 Kia Amanti doesn't handle as well as many competitors, but the V-6 engine provides ample power.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:the V-6 is quite capable...stymied by a sluggish transmissionCars.comthe V6 provides more than adequate power in any situationConsumerGuideone of the floppiest rides on the marketCar and Driverthe V6 is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift controlEdmunds The 2009 Kia Amanti offers decent performance—especially for a budget car. According to Edmunds, "the front-wheel-drive Kia Amanti comes with a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 264 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque." Cars.com reports that "the V-6 is quite capable...delivering energetic acceleration from on-ramp stoplights all the way up to highway speeds, and passing at 60 to 70 mph is nearly as easy." Edmunds notes that "in testing, we found the Amanti capable of reaching 60 mph in 6.9 seconds," which is "fairly swift for a big V6-powered sedan." ConsumerGuide vouches "the V6 provides more than adequate power in any situation." Car and Driver calls it "so-so," however. The EPA rates the Kia Amanti at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. However, ConsumerGuide finds their "test Kia Amanti 2009 averaged 17.8 mpg in city/highway driving," pointing out that the "Amanti uses regular-grade gas." Edmunds reports that "the V6 is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control." They add, "quick downshifts assure that the power is always on tap for merging onto fast-moving freeways or quick passes on two-lane roads." According to Cars.com, "the drivetrain looks good on paper, but in practice it's stymied by a sluggish transmission...toe the gas for power coming out of a corner, and you'll often catch the automatic loitering in the higher gear you were in when you entered the turn." ConsumerGuide says that the "unusually soft suspension absorbs most smaller bumps fairly well but can be poorly composed over sharper bumps and potholes in city driving," also noting that "highway speeds bring an undue amount of bobbing over larger road imperfections." Edmunds agrees, pointing out "suspension refinements last year sharpened the handling, but many drivers will still find the ride quality to be overly floaty." The Amanti's handling is clearly tuned for comfort, without a bit of sportiness baked into its steering, suspension, or brakes. Car and Driver observes "high content means high curb weight," making the 2009 Kia Amanti "one of the floppiest rides on the market...a comfortable highway and byway cruiser for nonenthusiasts, but with numb steering, [and] a soft suspension." Regarding braking quality, Cars.com comments "the pedal feels a bit on the mushy side, but it delivers firm stopping power when pushed hard." ConclusionThe 2009 Kia Amanti doesn't handle as well as many competitors, but the V-6 engine provides ample power. 2009 KIA AMANTI STYLING | [5 out of 10] Automobile Magazine: "styled like one of Lee Iacocca's K-cars of the 1970s" Cars.com: "looks much statelier than before" Edmunds: "nice touches like tasteful faux wood and metallic accents" Kelley Blue Book: "attractive dash" Reviewers just ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

There is only one full-size competitor that can match the 2009 Kia Amanti when it comes to value and its warranty: the 2009 Hyundai Azera. Coincidence? The experts from TheCarConnection.com think not. Many automotive shoppers don't know that Kia and Hyundai are owned by the same Korean company. The Azera wears a more contemporary (and stylish) shape. Equipment levels, powertrains, and warranties are nearly identical between the two. The Ford Taurus and Buick Lucerne are two other solid front-wheel-drive sedans in the full-size class. The Taurus offers more interior room than the 2009 Amanti, while the Lucerne is available with V-8 power and a number of options not found on the Kia. The Taurus also offers the option of all-wheel drive. The Toyota Avalon remains the benchmark for the full-size sedan class. Over the years, it has become the leader based on its quality, room, and high level of refinement. When driving the Avalon back to back against the 2009 Kia Amanti, it's easy to see the Toyota's greater level of polish.

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See the Kia Amanti in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  sultan #1, Posted: 10/30/2009

    is amanti same as operius ?

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