By
LATEST ARTICLE
First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus
While the lion's share of media attention regarding the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus will go toward... Read More
First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus
While the lion's share of media attention regarding the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus will go toward... Read More
- N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
- 139ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
- 0COMMENTS POSTED
2,110 views
TheCarConnection.com has driven the Kia Amanti and reports in this Bottom Line on the driving experience, as well as how it stacks up to other large sedans. TheCarConnection.com has also researched road tests from respected sources to bring you opinions and details where they help you make the most informed shopping decision on the Amanti.
Likes:
- Value, value, value
- Strong warranty protection
- Roomy interior
- Quiet interior
Dislikes:
- Awful styling
- Suspension floats
- Vague steering
The 2009 Kia Amanti quite simply isn't an exciting car to look at. As a design, it fails miserably; it's a bit of a mockup of the previous-generation Mercedes E-Class, with some elements of Lexus and Buick thrown in. However, the 2009 Kia Amanti is a capable large sedan and, despite its homely looks, a strong competitor against full-size Buicks, Fords, Mercurys, and the Toyota Avalon.
Thankfully, the inside of the 2009 Kia Amanti is better designed than the outside. The interior is well finished and roomy enough for three adults to sit in the backseat without feeling cramped.
The front-wheel-drive 2009 Amanti offers only one powertrain: a 3.8-liter V-6 with 264 horsepower matched to a five-speed automatic.
On the road, the 2009 Kia Amanti rides softly. The Amanti sometimes seems to float over the road, and the steering complements this suspension tuning by being just as vague. The intent is to deliver a quiet, isolated ride, and this car hits that target. In other words, if you like sporty driving, there are other cars you should consider. The EPA numbers are 19 mpg city, 26 highway.
Performance in the IIHS crash results earns this sedan a "good" rating. Anti-lock brakes, side, and side curtain airbags are standard. The 2009 Amanti does not, however, include stability and traction control as standard equipment.
The Amanti has two big things going for it: its attractive price and confidence-inspiring warranty. Like every Kia, the 2009 Amanti is backed by a five-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, plus a ten-year/100,000-mile warranty on the powertrain. This excellent coverage goes a long way toward addressing quality concerns over this Korean car—which are fewer as Hyundai/Kia develops a stronger reputation for quality and reliability.
