2004 Kia Amanti from North America - Comments

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.

Tan/Beige leather is available for 05 and 06'. Looked great on mine.

25mpg ain't that good my 97 Lincoln town car gets 25mpg that's because it's a land yacht with a 4.6 v8.

Ironically your Town Car produces less horsepower. Go figure.

Considering the weight of these cars (4,000+) 25 mpg is not that bad. I drive a Buick that is quite a bit larger on the outside, but weighs about 200 pounds less, but I average about 25 mpg. too.

The AM radio sounds like a World War I radio. Most of the time the squelches and static make this very difficult to hear. I took it back for service and the KIA Rep. said they tested it against other Kia AM radios and that it meets Kia standards. It may meet Kia's standards, but it is certainly not up to the standard of any other automobile manufacturer. In less than 15000 miles, I have needed warranty work on the rear window (severe leak), steering column, and the car required new struts. I think thier quality is lacking. I will never buy another Kia product.