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2008 Kia Amanti Full Review
Date Published: 4/15/08
Also in the 2008 Kia Amanti Review:
5.
6.
Kia Amanti Full Review
7.
8.
9.
2008 Kia Amanti Review
The 2008 Kia Amanti is largely unchanged. Amanti returns in a single trim level with a 264-hp 3.8-liter V6 engine. The only transmission remains a 5-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front and rear side airbags. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, a driver-seat memory system, and a sunroof are optional.
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, Dodge Magnum, and Toyota Avalon. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable.
New for 2008 is the Pontiac G8.
The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable replace the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, and both models have more power and have been restyled for 2008.
Our Best Buys include Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, and Toyota Avalon. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable.
New for 2008 is the Pontiac G8.
The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable replace the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, and both models have more power and have been restyled for 2008.
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.
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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2008 Kia Amanti Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Quietness | Steering/handling |
| Ride | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
The V6 provides more than adequate power in any situation. The smooth, responsive engine is nicely complemented by a refined transmission.
| Base | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.3 |
The V6 provides more than adequate power in any situation. The smooth, responsive engine is nicely complemented by a refined transmission.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, a test Amanti averaged 17.8 mpg in city/highway driving. Amanti uses regular-grade gas.
| Base | Class Average |
| 4 | 4.2 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a test Amanti averaged 17.8 mpg in city/highway driving. Amanti uses regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality
Amanti's unusually soft suspension absorbs most smaller bumps fairly well but can be poorly composed over sharper bumps and potholes in city driving. Highway speeds bring an undue amount of bobbing over larger road imperfections.
| Base | Class Average |
| 5 | 6.7 |
Amanti's unusually soft suspension absorbs most smaller bumps fairly well but can be poorly composed over sharper bumps and potholes in city driving. Highway speeds bring an undue amount of bobbing over larger road imperfections.
Steering/Handling/Braking
The softly sprung Amanti suffers from excessive lean in corners and vague, indirect steering. From behind the wheel the Amanti feels like a larger, heavier vehicle than it is.
| Base | Class Average |
| 4 | 5.7 |
The softly sprung Amanti suffers from excessive lean in corners and vague, indirect steering. From behind the wheel the Amanti feels like a larger, heavier vehicle than it is.
Quietness
The cabin is impressively hushed with very little wind or road noise. The V6 engine produces a refined muted growl when pushed but is otherwise nearly silent.
| Base | Class Average |
| 8 | 6.7 |
The cabin is impressively hushed with very little wind or road noise. The V6 engine produces a refined muted growl when pushed but is otherwise nearly silent.
Controls
The gauges are large and easy to read with most commonly used controls falling readily to the driver's hand. Some testers found the center stack's look-a like controls to be hard to identify quickly in low light conditions.
| Base | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.4 |
The gauges are large and easy to read with most commonly used controls falling readily to the driver's hand. Some testers found the center stack's look-a like controls to be hard to identify quickly in low light conditions.
Details
Though not quite to premium-car standards, Amanti's interior is nicely finished with soft, high quality materials. One test car suffered from an occasional reluctance to start.
| Base | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.3 |
Though not quite to premium-car standards, Amanti's interior is nicely finished with soft, high quality materials. One test car suffered from an occasional reluctance to start.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Amanti offers ample headroom and legroom, even for taller adults. The 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 that the inside rearview mirror is mounted low enough to interfere with their forward view.
| Base | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 |
Amanti offers ample headroom and legroom, even for taller adults. The 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 that the inside rearview mirror is mounted low enough to interfere with their forward view.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Legroom and headroom are good, even for six-footers. The seat is comfortable and nicely contoured. The large doors help make entering and exiting easy.
| Base | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 |
Legroom and headroom are good, even for six-footers. The seat is comfortable and nicely contoured. The large doors help make entering and exiting easy.
Cargo Room
Amanti's big trunk is usefully shaped and has a large opening. In-cabin storage includes a map pocket in each door, a two-level console bin, and a good-sized glovebox.
| Base | Class Average |
| 4 | 4.8 |
Amanti's big trunk is usefully shaped and has a large opening. In-cabin storage includes a map pocket in each door, a two-level console bin, and a good-sized glovebox.
Value within Class
This often-overlooked large sedan combines luxury-level passenger accommodations 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 1970s, this may be your car, even if it happens to come from Korea.
| Base | Class Average |
| 6 | 7.2 |
This often-overlooked large sedan combines luxury-level passenger accommodations 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 1970s, this may be your car, even if it happens to come from Korea.
Total Score
| Base | Class Average |
| 67 | 69.3 |
Scores for all Large Cars
| Low Score | 58 | |
| Average Score | 69 | |
| High Score | 77 |
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2008 Kia Amanti Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 09/29/2007
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| Base 4-door sedan | $25,495 | $23,250 | $700 |
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, 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, trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, 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), Infinity AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, trip computer.
|
||
|
Premium Pkg.
|
||
|
Base
|
$1,600
|
$1,350
|
|
Information display, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, power-adjustable pedals, 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 |
||
|
Special paint
|
||
|
Base
|
$200
|
$180
|
|
235/55R17 tires
|
||
|
Base
|
$500
|
$420
|
|
Requires Leather Pkg., Electronic Stability Pkg., power sunroof.
|
||
|
|
||
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Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 Kia Amanti Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Kia Amanti 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 110.2 |
| Overall Length, in. | 196.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 72.8 |
| Overall Height, in. | 58.5 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3770 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 15.9 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.0 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 44.5 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.2 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.8 |
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 | 17/24 |
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
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2008 Kia Amanti Review:
5.
6.
Kia Amanti Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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