2004 Kia Amanti Review

Specifications

2004 Kia Amanti - A Bold Move Upmarket

Stylish round quad headlamps, a bold chrome eggcrate grille, sumptuous leather seats, resplendent woodgrain trim, decadent creature comforts, what car company comes to mind? Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar? No, Kia of course.

In an aggressive move upmarket Koreas perky little car company is following directly in the tire treads of its larger parent Hyundai. But the tires arent the only borrowed components. Kias 2004 Amanti, dubbed Opirus in other markets, rides on Hyundai XG350 architecture, which is no bad thing. Hyundai has refined its flagship sedan into what many consider a direct threat to Japanese entry luxury models such as the Toyota Avalon and Mitsubishi Diamante. Will Kias new top-tier 4-door do likewise?

Theres no reason why not. Its an imposing design up close and personal, as experienced first hand at the New York Auto Show last month. While not unfriendly, the Amanti will trick many an unwitting onlooker into the belief youve arrived financially. Its sheer dimensions, on the larger side of midsize, traditionally upright stance and aforementioned luxury appointments will cause many to raise a passing eye.

Similarly to the XG350 Kia has chosen not to compliment the new models grille with its red oval badge, preferring to leave its admirers guessing. This has its advantages and disadvantages mind you. For those in the know they can show off their presumed wealth with none the wiser, but it makes getting the word out to the non-initiated an uphill battle.

When driving the Hyundai around town shortly after its introduction I was often asked what it was. Some thought it a Lexus while others were sure it was a new Lincoln. Im sure there are many who still havent figured it out. The Kia also pulls styling cues from a variety of premium products, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Europes Lancia Thesis being the most obvious. But all said it combines them into a unique design, focusing in on its distinctive grille.

Behind that chromed edifice is the same dual overhead cam, 24-valve 195-hp 3.5-L V6 that delivers such solid performance in the XG350, as well as the new Kia Sorento SUV and Sedona minivan. The brands 5-speed automatic transmission is an appropriately upmarket mate to the engine, shifting either in full automatic or manually actuated sequential modes. The engines 217 lb-ft of torque should be ample to pull the front-wheel drive sedan to highway speeds in reasonable time - the 3,651 pound XG takes less than 9.0 seconds to 60 mph.

And what about handling? If its anything like the Hyundai, Kias Amanti should prove worthy of its alloy rims and 225/60R16 tires. While it will no doubt be biased toward luxury rather than all out performance, the new sedans independent, double-wishbone front suspension should balance out well with its independent multi-link rear geometry. Coil springs and a stabilizer bar can be found at each end, while gas shocks smooth out the ride.

Most likely though, Amanti owners will be more interested in interior accommodations. The dash looks more Rolls-Royce than Rio, featuring more rich wood trim than anything this side of the famed British marque. While made up of the environmentally friendly woodgrain variety (read plastic) it is authentic in appearance and tastefully applied. The cars plastics quality is also above average, soft to touch and well put together. While Ive only sat in a pre-production example, the normal rule of thumb proves production cars only raise the bar.

While Kia hasnt announced specific features yet, some items were plain to the eye. For instance, the wood and leather steering wheel houses cruise control and audio buttons between its four spokes, while a trip computer information screen sits atop the center stack, actuated via buttons that lay on their backs across what comes close to a mid-dash shelf. The stack itself shows off buttons for 3-way heated front seats, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) traction and yaw control, a dash-mounted 6-channel, 270-watt, 6CD Infinity audio system, and electronic dual zone climate control. While these features arent out of the ordinary in premium brands, some are new territory for Kia.

This is especially true when it comes to safety features. The requisite front airbags are standard of course, as are six more including front and rear seat-mounted side impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Also, a sophisticated antilock braking system (ABS) joins the standard 4-wheel disc brakes. Kia also steps up with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) while traction control and electronic stability control, auto components supplier Continental Teves best selling Electronic Stability Program (ESP), take care of overzealous drivers.

The Amanti is also quite large inside. Its 43.7 inches of front and 37.8 inches of rear legroom might not be limousine-like, but its a far cry from the midsize average. The same can be said of its headroom, 40.0 inches up front and 38.4 inches in back. To put things into perspective its front headroom is class leading, besting the Buick LeSabre, Chrysler Concorde and Toyota Avalon.

At 110.2 inches the Amantis wheelbase is stretched a nominal 1.9 inches over the XG350, a statistic that should theoretically improve both its ride and interior room. The Kias overall exterior dimensions are up too. Measuring in at 196.0 inches long, 72.8 inches wide and 58.5 inches tall, it out-sizes Hyundais XG by 4.1 inches, 0.9 inches and 2.6 inches respectively. Then factor in that the top-line Hyundai overshadows almost every other midsize in the class already, and the new Kia steers into a much broader perspective - literally.

While size is important in the luxury class, the Amantis bottom line will factor in much more. The budget brand is doing well touting its full features for less strategy, fighting it out in the subcompact, compact and midsize classes, competing strongly in the hotly contested minivan vertical, and selling out its sensational new Sorento SUV almost completely. Will an entry-level luxury Kia fare as well?

Theres no reason why not. Providing consumers can get their heads wrapped around its basic premise, their checkbooks should answer with a steady flow of deposits come fall of 2003 when it reaches Kia dealers as a 2004 model. Like the XG is for Hyundai the Amanti wont necessarily become a big seller, but it will be a big morale boost for dedicated Kia dealers and a bit of a halo car for loyal Kia customers to aspire too.

All in all the Amanti is a bold move up market by a feisty Korean competitor that so far, has never shied away from a fight. So get your fists up midsize competitors, the luxury car world will never be the same.