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Posted August, 2006

Road Test: 2006 Kia Amanti

By Kevin S. Lowery

For years I have been saying that cars like the Toyota Avalon and the Nissan Maxima are getting too “techno-fied” and that some of the features that we think we need often go unused. How many of us can load the CD player while a spouse is entering the coordinates into a NAV system and reprimanding 2.5 children who are fighting in the backseat over a DVD? And how many of us pull off the side of the road when that happens? That’s what I thought.

The Amanti is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Azera and is refreshingly “low tech.” Don’t get me wrong. All the necessities as well as the key features you and I have come accustomed to are on the Amanti. Case in point, the new standard features this year include heated leather seats, a sunroof and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The Amanti offers a pleasing amount of luxury while retaining the value most consumers associate with an automobile in this market segment.

Starting with the exterior, Kia says it wanted to give the Amanti a bold design and keep it from looking like a "cookie-cutter car." They have succeeded. The exterior is very elegant without looking as if it were designed by committee. The headlights are separate and sweep back through the hood, a design cue that is very reminiscent of the Jaguar S-type.

From the A pillar stretching rearward, the car has a fresh design, all the way to the end. The upright grille and Lincoln Town Car-esque proportions tie it all together in a very attractive package. It turned head, and hardly anyone EVER notices a sedan. The proportions are odd, but I can forgive that since design is a very personal aesthetic.

Inside, the Amanti held its own against the competition. It was sleek with subtle trim that accentuated Kia’s desires for strong yet understated styling. The seats were very comfortable, with plenty of room for all body types. The backseat legroom is generous and that is difficult to achieve without sacrificing trunk space. Never fear. The trunk was huge—a Tony Soprano kind of trunk—one that could hold three bodies and the cinderblocks to with them.

Like most vehicles in its class, the Amanti is tuned to provide a smooth, quiet ride with maximum isolation from the road. When I was young people used to refer, reverentially, to the “Cadillac Ride”. It was like riding on a marshmallow ‘Smore. The Amanti is that good.

Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 With only 200 horsepower, it lags behind the majority of its competitors, but there's enough power on tap for most driving situations.

Of course, ours was the top-of-the line, an “optioned” out version. The EPA rates it at 17/25mpg. I would say the Electronic Stability package is important to get. But if you don’t care about fancy digital surround sound with 8 speakers and an in-dash 6-disc You might just want to pass it up. Besides the total without options is $27,695—$29,935 when they’re included.

Its overall refinement level doesn't match the class-leading Toyota Avalon, but for those looking for an excellent value in this segment, the Amanti is a compelling choice. R&D