Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Car Review 2006 Kia Amanti
Value and quality are the 2 words we use most to describe this car. With over 10,000 miles we continue to enjoy the quiet ride, a comfortable interior, great sound system and puzzled looks from other drivers as they try to figure out if it is a Jag or a Benz.The Amanti has a soft, buoyant ride, but has clumsy handling, although its optional ESC keeps it secure.
The V6 delivers only adequate performance, and its 18-mpg fuel economy is unexceptional. The interior boasts impressive fit and finish.
News
Amanti may get a cosmetic freshening for 2008, but nothing drastic. A complete redesign is possible for 2010, at which point Amanti would become a retrimmed sister of parent Hyundais Azera.
New for 2006
The 2006 Kia Amanti receives additional luxury equipment as standard equipment including leather seats, heated front seats auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink system and power sunroof. Also new for 2006 is an available Infinity Package, which includes an Infinity 225-watt AM/FM/Cassette with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and nine speakers including a subwoofer, two-position memory setting for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors, and a four-inch monitor, which displays trip computer information, outside temperature and digital clock.
Interior Design and Special Features
The Amantis interior seats five and offers the highest level of amenities ever offered in a Kia, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat and a 270-watt audio system. The front seats offer more head- and legroom than any other full-size sedan. In back, occupants will find ample headroom as well, but the Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred and Toyota Avalon offer more legroom. The Amanti comes standard with a ski pass-through and trunk lid that utilizes concealed hinges with gas struts to keep from damaging cargo. Trunk capacity is 15.5 cubic feet, about average for this class.
Safety
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard, while stability and traction control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and BrakeAssist are available via an option package. Standard seat-mounted side airbags protect front occupants, while full-length side curtain airbags protect all outboard occupants. The Amanti also has active whiplash-reducing front head restraints that move up and an anti-lockout system that keeps the doors from being locked while the key is still in the ignition. A first-aid kit is a stand-alone option. The NHTSA has not crash tested the Amanti, but it earned the top rating of "Good" in IIHS frontal-offset crash testing.
Powertrains and Performance
The Amanti is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 200 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. A sharp-shifting five-speed automatic transmission gives the Amanti solid performance despite its modest horsepower. The transmission includes a manual-shift mode with an LED indicator in the instrument panel.
Driving Impressions
Like most vehicles in its class, the Amanti is tuned to provide a smooth, quiet ride with maximum isolation from the road. With only 200 horsepower, it lags behind the majority of its competitors, but theres enough power on tap for most driving situations. Its overall refinement level doesnt match the class-leading Toyota Avalon, but for those looking for an excellent value in this segment, the Amanti is a compelling choice.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
The Amanti is a large four-door sedan available in a single trim level. The standard equipment list includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a full-size spare tire, dual-zone automatic climate control, a CD player, heated leather-upholstered seats with eight-way power adjustment (four-way power for the passenger), wood grain trim, a sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls and a full set of one-touch up/down windows. Opt for the Infinity package and youll get a 270-watt Infinity sound system with an in-dash CD changer, a trip computer with a 4-inch LCD screen, and memory settings for the mirrors and driver seat.
Favorite Features: Luxury ride, similar to Lexus 400 and Lincoln Town car. Styling, luxury leather with beautiful birds eye maple wood (plastic) trim. This car is so well planned with 3 power outlets inside. Many features you can only get on Lexus, BMW & Mercedes.
2006 Kia Amanti Summary
The 2006 Kia Amanti is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in one trim only, the Base.
Upon introduction, the Amanti is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 200-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
MSRP: $27795.00-$27795.00
Invoice: $25325.00-$25325.00
