2004 Kia Amanti review from North America

There have been no problems with the Amanti.

Because of my experience with previous KIA cars I've owned, ie. Ford Aspire, 1997 Kia Sephia and 2002 Kia Rio, I decided to move up to a bigger motor car.

The Amanti has pleased me very much. There are only a very few areas where I feel there could be improvements and these are actually very minor. I believe the overhead control panel which houses the map lights and the sunshine roof controls could be lighted in the same fashion the controls on the arm rests are lighted. The overhead controls are difficult to find in the dark.

On a very long trip... upwards of 500 miles.. the seats are slightly uncomfortable, but that is true with almost every car I've owned.

Local fuel economy isn't spectacular, averaging in the upper teens per gallon. On a recent trip of just on 900 miles, my Amanti averaged exactly 25.0 miles per gallon.

I would like to have had more choice of interior colour. My car is dark blue with grey leather interior; I would like to have had a tan or beige leather interior which isn't available.

The car is remarkably quiet. I have had cars that "handle" better, but the Amanti is not, nor does it claim to be, a "sports car" or even "sports sedan."

The variable-ratio power assist steering is an excellent feature.

I'm very happy with my Amanti and seriously wonder why more aren't seen on the road. In my opinion it is a real "value" in the "entry level" luxury car market and the wararanty is excellent, though in the nearly quarter-million miles I've driven my various Kia-built cars I have never had to use the warranty.