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STYLING | 5 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
styled like one of Lee Iacocca's K-cars of the 1970s
Automobile Magazine
looks much statelier than before
Cars.com
nice touches like tasteful faux wood and metallic accents
Edmunds
attractive dash
Kelley Blue Book
Reviewers just don't give the 2009 Kia Amanti good marks for styling, which is somewhat derivative, somewhat boring.
Kelley Blue Book comments that the Amanti "certainly knows how to make an entrance...the tall body, big grille and headlight treatment stir up memories of a number of luxury cars." Edmunds says politely, the "exterior styling is not for everyone." They add, "borrowing noticeable cues from other brands like Mercedes-Benz the Amanti's designers ended up with a rather awkward overall look." Cars.com notes that a recent redesign results in "vertical taillights and a taller profile [that] give the rear a much fuller figure." They also insert the contrarian view that "if you wedge the Amanti headfirst into a tight parking spot, the trunk looks a bit like that of any six-figure ultraluxury car."
The interior relieves the exterior's awkwardness with a more tasteful design. ConsumerGuide notes that "gauges are large and easy to read with most commonly used controls falling readily to the driver's hand," although "some testers found the center stack's look-alike controls to be hard to identify quickly in low light conditions." Edmunds reports "nice touches like tasteful faux wood and metallic accents, [and] a leather-covered front console armrest." Kelley Blue Book says "the attractive 2009 Kia Amanti dash employs a split-level two-tone design with a prominent analog clock or optional information screen taking center stage."
Conclusion
The 2009 Kia Amanti lacks originality and excitement on the exterior. Inside, however, the design is much better.
