2009 Kia Amanti Jacksonville FL

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.

Every 2009 Kia Amanti includes plenty of standard features: AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system, air conditioning, cruise control, and a tilt steering wheel. Aside from a stand-alone sunroof and a 17-inch wheel/tire option, the only way to upgrade the Amanti is to request option groups. These include the Electronic Stability Control Package with electronic stability and traction control systems; a Premium Package with one-tone interior trim, black leather seat trim, power-adjustable pedals, brushed-aluminum interior trim, and 17-inch tires with seven-spoke chrome-finished alloy wheels; and a Leather Package with leather seat trim, heated front seats, memory driver's seat, power heated mirrors, an upgraded Infinity audio system, and a larger in-dash monitor with trip computer.

The Bottom Line: The 2009 Kia Amanti is a solid choice with a growing reputation for quality.

Other Choices
If you're interested in the 2009 Kia Amanti, also consider:

- Toyota Avalon
- Hyundai Azera
- Buick Lucerne
- Ford Taurus

Reason Why:
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.

Buying Tip
Don't let the lack of a navigation-system option on the Amanti get you down. The market is flooded with great aftermarket systems that cost a fraction of most factory options.

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Review was originally published at TheCarConnection.com
© 2009 TheCarConnection.com