2007 Kia Amanti Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

More power and freshened looks highlight Kia's largest car for 2007. The 2007 Kia Amanti again comes in a single trim level with a V6 engine, but replaces a 200-horsepower 3.5-liter with a 264-horse 3.8. The only transmission is a 5-speed automatic. ABS is standard, as are front and rear side airbags and curtain side airbags. Traction control and antiskid control are optional. Power-adjustable pedals are newly available in a freshened interior with a redesigned dashboard. Exterior styling is also revised, as is the suspension. Available options include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof. This evaluation of the 2007 Kia Amanti is based on preview test drives.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Cars comprise the biggest passenger sedans and wagons. Large, inside and out, they offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands.

Our Best Buys include Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Magnum. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego.

News

We hear a redesigned Amanti is coming for model-year 2009 or 2010 as a somewhat sportier, retrimmed sister of parent Hyundai's Azera. Kia hooked up with Hyundai before the Amanti was launched and the two companies began coordinating product lines. The current Amanti will thus be the last Kia with a platform unique to that brand.

The redesign should bow at about the same time as Hyundai's planned midsize rear-drive V8 sedan. Sources say Kia will offer a version of this new model with sportier lines, firmer suspension and perhaps a little more power.

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2007 Kia Amanti Road Test

Pros	Cons

Quietness	Handling

Ride

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Amanti	Class Average
7	6.1

More than adequate power in any situation. Smooth, responsive engine nicely complemented by refined transmission.

Fuel Economy

Amanti	Class Average
5	4.5

Test Amanti averaged 20.2 mpg. Kia recommends premium-grade fuel for Amanti.

Ride Quality

Amanti	Class Average
6	6.8

Unusually soft suspension smothers most smaller bumps, but allows an undue amount of bobbing over larger road imperfections, especially at highway speed.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Amanti	Class Average
4	5.9

The softly-sprung Amanti suffers from excessive lean in corners and vague, indirect steering. From behind the wheel Amanti feels like a larger, heavier vehicle than it is.

Quietness

Amanti	Class Average
8	6.9

Impressively hushed. Amanti's engine produces a refined muted growl when pushed, but is otherwise unheard. Wind and road noise are also well squelched.

Controls

Amanti	Class Average
8	6.5

Gauges are large and easy to read and most-used controls fall readily to hand. Though not quite on the premium-car level, Amanti's cabin is nicely finished with soft, high-quality materials.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Amanti	Class Average
8	7.9

Ample head and leg room, even for taller adults. Amanti's generously sized seats are nicely contoured and especially comfortable. The standard power driver's seat and tilt steering wheel help tailor a good driving position. Outward visibility is good, though very tall drivers may find the inside rearview mirror mounted low enough to interfere with forward view.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Amanti	Class Average
7	7

Adequate leg and head room even for 6-footers. Comfortable seats are nicely contoured. Large doors help make entering and exiting easy.

Cargo Room

Amanti	Class Average
5	5.5

Big trunk is usefully shaped and has a large opening. In-cabin storage includes map pockets in each door, a two-level console bin, and a good-size glovebox.

Value within Class

Amanti	Class Average
6	7.2

This often-overlooked large sedan combines luxury-level passenger accomodations with attractive pricing. Handling is sloppy, however, and the overly soft ride will be a deterrent to many shoppers. But for those who fondly recall the large American cars of the '70s, this may be your car, even if it happens to come from Korea.

Total Score

Amanti	Class Average
64	64.3

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		56
Average Score		64
High Score		71

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2007 Kia Amanti Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 02/02/2007

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$25,495	$23,250	$680

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.8-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, curtain side airbags, front-seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, 4-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, analog clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, 225/60R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Leather Pkg.
Base	$2,500	$2,215
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), power-adjustable pedals, Infinity AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, trip computer.

Premium Pkg.
Base	$1,300	$1,050
Information display, unique interior trim, 235/55R17 tires, chrome alloy wheels. Requires Leather Pkg., Electronic Stability Pkg., power sunroof.

Electronic Stability Pkg.
Base	$500	$445
Traction control, antiskid system, brake assist. Requires Leather Pkg., power sunroof.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
Base	$900	$730
Requires Leather Pkg., Electronic Stability Pkg.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Cargo mat
Base	$55	$40


Special paint
Base	$200	$180


235/55R17 tires
Base	$350	$270
Requires Leather Pkg., Electronic Stability Pkg., power sunroof.

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2007 Kia Amanti Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Kia Amanti 4-door sedan

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.

Engines

	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.8 /231

Horsepower @ rpm.	264 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	260 @ 4500

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	19/26

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Kia Amanti 4-door sedan

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%. Side-impact 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%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	10/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	5/60,000	--

Corrosion	5/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/60,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: South Korea

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2007 Kia Amanti
Trim Level: Base
Arrival Date: 09/06/2007
Engine: dohc V6
Bodystyle: 4-door sedan
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: No
Base Price: $25,495
Price as Tested: $30,425
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 8165
Mileage at End of Test: 8458
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 16.51 gals.

Major Options: Electronic Stability Package (Traction Control, Brake Assist), Leather Package (Leather Seat Trim, 2-Position Memory for Driver's Seat and Outside Mirrors, Heated Front Seats, Infinity Audio System, 9 Speakers, 4 in Monitor with Trip Computer, Power Adjustable Pedals), Power Sunroof w/Tilt, Wheel Package

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 17.75 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Chuck Giametta Auto geeks talk wistfully of fine steering wasted on a sloppy suspension or of a balanced chassis yearning to be exploited by a powerful engine. The Amanti may be the first case of great seats in search of a good car. Cushioning and coddling the Koreans can deliver. We'll have to wait for the 2009 Genesis rear-wheel-drive V8 premium sedan from Kia's parent Hyundai to see if they can add rewarding road manners to their repertoire. Who's betting against it?

Tom Appel Kia built a better Buick, but it's an Eighties Buick, and even the real cushmobile maker has moved on. Amanti, much like the similar Hyundai Azera, takes the easiest route towards mimicking luxury, lots of sound deadening and a soft suspension. And while this big Kia is well isolated from the outside world, it handles like an '84 LeSabre and wallows copiously over even smaller bumps. Amanti presents better inside, with attractive upscale trim and good quality workmanship. Pricing is attractive too, with our well-equipped test car listing for a smidge over $30,000. There's an audience for this car, albeit an older, very traditional one. Amanti is the Buick of yore, available at Kia dealerships today.

< 2007 Kia Amanti Photos

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Also in the 2007 Kia Amanti Review:

Kia Amanti

Kia Amanti Road Test

Kia Amanti Prices & Equipment

Kia Amanti Specs & Safety

Kia Amanti Photos

Kia Amanti Full Review

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