2004-2008 Kia Amanti: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2004-2008 Kia Amanti and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Quietness
- Ride
Cons
- Steering feel
Vehicle Highlights
Kia's first large sedan shared its engine with corporate-parent Hyundai's XG350, but had different styling, a 2-inch-longer wheelbase, 4-inch-longer body, and some 350 lb more curb weight. It had a 3.5-liter V6 and 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front and rear side airbags, and curtain side airbags were standard. So were dual-zone climate control, CD/cassette audio, keyless entry, and power front seats. Options included traction/antiskid control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, in-dash CD changer, and driver-seat memory system.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Kia Amanti Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 8 | |
| Controls/Materials | 8 | |
| Interior Room | 8 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 7 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 60 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2004-2008 Kia Amanti. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2004-2008 Kia Amanti.
Year to Year Changes
2005 Kia Amanti:
No significant changes.
2006 Kia Amanti:
Kia's largest car gets additional standard features for 2006. Dual-zone climate control and power front seats are standard and are joined for '06 by leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof.
2007 Kia Amanti:
More power and freshened looks highlight Kia's largest car for 2007. Amanti returned in a single trim level with a V6 engine, but replaced a 200-hp 3.5-liter with a 264-hp 3.8. Power-adjustable pedals were newly available in a freshened interior with a redesigned dashboard. Exterior styling was also revised, as was the suspension. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof were optional; they had previously been standard.
2008 Kia Amanti:
The 2008 Kia Amanti was largely unchanged.
Our road test for the 2004-2008 Kia Amanti includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2004-2008 Kia Amanti and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2004-2008 Kia Amanti is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Amanti felt much like big American cars of old, with a smooth if buoyant ride, soggy handling, and good power. A test model clocked 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds but felt quicker thanks to strong throttle response. Unusually soft springs and shock absorbers smothered most bumps, but allowed copious float and bounce over larger ones. They also resulted in marked cornering lean and noseplow in even mildly aggressive cornering, along with a sleepy reaction to steering inputs. Brakes felt strong, but one test example exhibited overly long brake-pedal travel. Noise isolation was impressive, being on par with many luxury cars. The interior also echoed those of older American cars with a conservative design trimmed in shiny, woodgrain plastic, though other surfaces were covered in unusually high-grade materials. Gauges were easy to see, while most controls were large, simple, and easy to reach. There was plenty of head and leg room for adults on comfortable seats both front and rear, and entry/exit was simplified by large door openings. A number of interior storage bins and a large trunk with noninvasive strut-type hinges combined for good cargo space.
Value for the Money
Amanti's soft, floaty ride and roomy, quiet cabin might appeal to some, though few are likely to appreciate its wallowy handling. Amanti was a two-year wonder with low sales volume, so it's a relative unknown on the used-car circuit. That means finding one-and perhaps finding parts-could be a challenge. Kia's new-car warranty coverage was 5 years/50,000-mi. bumper-to-bumper and 10/100,000 powertrain, but note that only the bumper-to-bumper warranty is transferable to a second owner.
Amanti's soft, floaty ride and roomy, quiet cabin might appeal to some, though few are likely to appreciate its wallowy handling. Amanti was a two-year wonder with low sales volume, so it's a relative unknown on the used-car circuit. That means finding one-and perhaps finding parts-could be a challenge. Kia's new-car warranty coverage was 5 years/50,000-mi. bumper-to-bumper and 10/100,000 powertrain, but note that only the bumper-to-bumper warranty is transferable to a second owner.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Kia Amanti Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 8 | |
| Controls/Materials | 8 | |
| Interior Room | 8 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 7 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 60 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Kia Amanti includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Kia Amanti .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Alarm system:
The antitheft system may not arm (lights don't flash when lock is pressed on remote) and the problem may be the main power window switch. (2004-05)
Cold-starting problems:
Stumble and/or hesitation when accelerating with cold engine requires reprogramming the powertrain control module. (2005-06)
Dashboard lights:
The "distance to empty" display may not always reset after refueling requiring the system to be reset by holding the reset button for five seconds or briefly removing the fuse. (2005-06)
Engine noise:
Whistling or hissing noises from the engine compartment have been blamed on some aftermarket oil filters. (2004-06)
Suspension noise:
Knocking noise from front suspension may be due to upper strut mounting nuts working loose. (2004-06)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $600 |
| Alternator | $270 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $2,600 |
| Brakes | $325 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $830 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $930 |
| Exhaust System | $420 |
| Radiator | $190 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $720 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $1,405 |
Our price chart for this generation Kia Amanti details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| Amanti | $18,000-20,000 | $16,600-18,400 | $11,500-12,800 |
| 2007 | |||
| Amanti | $15,000-16,500 | $13,700-15,000 | $9,500-10,400 |
| 2006 | |||
| Amanti | $12,500-13,800 | $11,300-12,400 | $7,100-7,900 |
| 2005 | |||
| Amanti | $10,200-11,200 | $9,200-10,100 | $5,300-5,800 |
| 2004 | |||
| Amanti | $8,000-9,000 | $7,200-8,100 | $4,100-4,600 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Kia Amanti include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door Large Car | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 110.2 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 196.0 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 72.8 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 58.5 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 4021 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 15.5 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.0 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 43.7 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.4 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 37.2 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
The only powertrain offered was a 3.5-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic transmission. For 2004, the V6 made 195 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque. For '05, it was rated at 200 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque. For 2007, the 200-hp 3.5-liter V6 is replaced with a 264-hp 3.8-liter V6.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 264 | 260 | 5-speed automatic: 19/26 | 5-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc V6 | 3.5 / 212 | 198 | 219 | 5-speed automatic: 17/25 | 5-speed automatic: 17.5 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Kia Amanti include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
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