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2004
Kia Amanti

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$24,995
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Expert 2004 Kia Amanti review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

Familiar, for Good Reasons
2004 Kia Amanti

This is a soap opera, a tale of dalliances and romances speculative and true.

It involves liaisons and rumors of liaisons between the world’s greatest car companies. Its protagonist is the 2004 Kia Amanti sedan, the grand offspring of those many affairs.

In the main, the story is told through the Amanti’s face and ample body, which are subjects of much gossip in the global automotive community.

Legend has it that the Amanti, Kia’s first large sedan, is the descendant of an initial union between Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, which begot a child, Jaguabenz.

Jaguabenz was reared in a patrician environment in which it dated and mated with BMW, a coupling that yielded Jabenbimmer, who in childhood cruelly was nicknamed “Jabimbo.”

Angry, rebellious and resentful, Jabimbo rolled around a lot, most notably with a Japanese partner, Toyota Avalon, and a somewhat pretentious American, Buick LeSabre.

From one of those unions, which one is uncertain, came this week’s car, the Kia Amanti. It’s being passed off as a full-size Korean sedan simply because it is sold by Kia Motors, which became a part of South Korea’s Hyundai Automotive Group in September 2000.

But anyone looking at the Amanti will not be taken in by that ruse. At the very least, the Amanti is the design progeny of styling cues stolen from every major manufacturer of big cars European, Japanese and domestic. It is the finest bit of industrial plagiarism witnessed in decades, and for that Kia deserves applause.

Applause?

Yes, applause, congratulations and kudos of every sort. What Kia has put together here is praiseworthy — a truly big and comfortable car of excellent fit and finish, packed with amenities, and sold at a price that renders discounts on comparable automobiles meaningless.

And although questions and jokes remain about its styling legacy, one thing is certain: The Amanti turns heads.

For example, Mercedes-Benz executives were shocked at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show when they saw a black Amanti roll into the driveway of the Intercontinental Hotel.

“That looks like one of ours!” said a Mercedes-Benz official.

“No,” said another Mercedes-Benz executive. “I’ll be [expletive]! That’s a Kia!”

That’s exactly the reaction Kia is seeking with the Amanti, and that is what it is getting in the United States and abroad.

Kia has an objective. It wants to erase every vestige of the shame and embarrassment that accompanied the introduction of its automobiles in America in 1994. Those early Kia cars were losers — cheap, small, unreliable and built to stay that way. They were fodder for Jay Leno car jokes on “The Tonight Show.”

But Kia has been improving, and its progress accelerated when it got together with Hyundai four years ago. (The Amanti, in fact, lar gely is based on the front-wheel-drive platform of Hyundai’s big sedan, the XG350.) With the Amanti, Kia is serving notice that it is here to stay. It is targeting the loyal and lucrative baby-boomer market for large sedans, currently served by models such as the Buick LeSabre, Toyota Avalon, Mercury Grand Marquis, Chrysler Concorde and, although it’s a bit of a stretch, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

In addition to the look and interior roominess of those cars, the Amanti has their cushy boulevard ride.

The Amanti glides like a butterfly, floats like a boat. In that regard, it also has more than a little bit of Lincoln Town Car in its genetic code. But not everybody is asking, “Who’s your daddy?” about this one. It’s getting admirers and thumbs-up as a legitimate and credible player in the American market.

Perhaps it’s time to welcome Kia Motors and the Amanti to the family.

Nuts & Bolts

Downside: Not much. The ride is too soft for my tastes. But other people love it. The Infinity speaker in the passenger-side door wasn’t properly mounted. But that’s an easy fix.

Ride, acceleration and handling: There is more than enough here to please normal drivers (those who don’t confuse city streets with racetracks) in all three categories. This is an enjoyable car.

Head-turning quotient: “Who’s your daddy?” Before seeing the Kia badge, many people mistook the Amanti for a Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, “a kind of BMW” as one observer put it, the new Buick LaCrosse, “a Lexus of some sort,” and the Toyota Avalon. All of those misidentifications are music to the ears of Kia executives.

Body style/layout: The Amanti is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive sedan. Kia markets it as a full-size model. But it also has been referred to as a midsize car.

Engine/transmission: The Amanti is equipped with a 3.5-liter, 24-valve, V-6 engine that develops 195 horsepower at 5,500 revolutions per minute and 220 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm. The engine is linked to a five-speed automatic transmission that also can be operated manually.

Capacities: The Amanti has seating for five people. Maximum cargo capacity is 16 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 18.5 gallons of gasoline. Regular unleaded is recommended.

Mileage: I averaged 23 miles per gallon in city/highway driving.

Standard features: Loaded! Power seats and locks, heated side-view mirrors, simulated wood trim on dash and center console, eight-speaker sound system, leather-wrapped steering wheel and more.

Safety: Standard front and rear head air bags, dual front and dual rear side air bags; standard anti-lock brakes.

Price: Base price is $24,995. Dealer invoice price on base model is $22,655. Price as tested is $26,085, including $550 for the optional electronic stability control system and a $540 destination charge.

Purse-strings note: The Amanti is the first Kia car to earn a “buy” rating from this column.

2004 Kia Amanti review: Our expert's take
By

Familiar, for Good Reasons
2004 Kia Amanti

This is a soap opera, a tale of dalliances and romances speculative and true.

It involves liaisons and rumors of liaisons between the world’s greatest car companies. Its protagonist is the 2004 Kia Amanti sedan, the grand offspring of those many affairs.

In the main, the story is told through the Amanti’s face and ample body, which are subjects of much gossip in the global automotive community.

Legend has it that the Amanti, Kia’s first large sedan, is the descendant of an initial union between Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, which begot a child, Jaguabenz.

Jaguabenz was reared in a patrician environment in which it dated and mated with BMW, a coupling that yielded Jabenbimmer, who in childhood cruelly was nicknamed “Jabimbo.”

Angry, rebellious and resentful, Jabimbo rolled around a lot, most notably with a Japanese partner, Toyota Avalon, and a somewhat pretentious American, Buick LeSabre.

From one of those unions, which one is uncertain, came this week’s car, the Kia Amanti. It’s being passed off as a full-size Korean sedan simply because it is sold by Kia Motors, which became a part of South Korea’s Hyundai Automotive Group in September 2000.

But anyone looking at the Amanti will not be taken in by that ruse. At the very least, the Amanti is the design progeny of styling cues stolen from every major manufacturer of big cars European, Japanese and domestic. It is the finest bit of industrial plagiarism witnessed in decades, and for that Kia deserves applause.

Applause?

Yes, applause, congratulations and kudos of every sort. What Kia has put together here is praiseworthy — a truly big and comfortable car of excellent fit and finish, packed with amenities, and sold at a price that renders discounts on comparable automobiles meaningless.

And although questions and jokes remain about its styling legacy, one thing is certain: The Amanti turns heads.

For example, Mercedes-Benz executives were shocked at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show when they saw a black Amanti roll into the driveway of the Intercontinental Hotel.

“That looks like one of ours!” said a Mercedes-Benz official.

“No,” said another Mercedes-Benz executive. “I’ll be [expletive]! That’s a Kia!”

That’s exactly the reaction Kia is seeking with the Amanti, and that is what it is getting in the United States and abroad.

Kia has an objective. It wants to erase every vestige of the shame and embarrassment that accompanied the introduction of its automobiles in America in 1994. Those early Kia cars were losers — cheap, small, unreliable and built to stay that way. They were fodder for Jay Leno car jokes on “The Tonight Show.”

But Kia has been improving, and its progress accelerated when it got together with Hyundai four years ago. (The Amanti, in fact, lar gely is based on the front-wheel-drive platform of Hyundai’s big sedan, the XG350.) With the Amanti, Kia is serving notice that it is here to stay. It is targeting the loyal and lucrative baby-boomer market for large sedans, currently served by models such as the Buick LeSabre, Toyota Avalon, Mercury Grand Marquis, Chrysler Concorde and, although it’s a bit of a stretch, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

In addition to the look and interior roominess of those cars, the Amanti has their cushy boulevard ride.

The Amanti glides like a butterfly, floats like a boat. In that regard, it also has more than a little bit of Lincoln Town Car in its genetic code. But not everybody is asking, “Who’s your daddy?” about this one. It’s getting admirers and thumbs-up as a legitimate and credible player in the American market.

Perhaps it’s time to welcome Kia Motors and the Amanti to the family.

Nuts & Bolts

Downside: Not much. The ride is too soft for my tastes. But other people love it. The Infinity speaker in the passenger-side door wasn’t properly mounted. But that’s an easy fix.

Ride, acceleration and handling: There is more than enough here to please normal drivers (those who don’t confuse city streets with racetracks) in all three categories. This is an enjoyable car.

Head-turning quotient: “Who’s your daddy?” Before seeing the Kia badge, many people mistook the Amanti for a Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, “a kind of BMW” as one observer put it, the new Buick LaCrosse, “a Lexus of some sort,” and the Toyota Avalon. All of those misidentifications are music to the ears of Kia executives.

Body style/layout: The Amanti is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive sedan. Kia markets it as a full-size model. But it also has been referred to as a midsize car.

Engine/transmission: The Amanti is equipped with a 3.5-liter, 24-valve, V-6 engine that develops 195 horsepower at 5,500 revolutions per minute and 220 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm. The engine is linked to a five-speed automatic transmission that also can be operated manually.

Capacities: The Amanti has seating for five people. Maximum cargo capacity is 16 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 18.5 gallons of gasoline. Regular unleaded is recommended.

Mileage: I averaged 23 miles per gallon in city/highway driving.

Standard features: Loaded! Power seats and locks, heated side-view mirrors, simulated wood trim on dash and center console, eight-speaker sound system, leather-wrapped steering wheel and more.

Safety: Standard front and rear head air bags, dual front and dual rear side air bags; standard anti-lock brakes.

Price: Base price is $24,995. Dealer invoice price on base model is $22,655. Price as tested is $26,085, including $550 for the optional electronic stability control system and a $540 destination charge.

Purse-strings note: The Amanti is the first Kia car to earn a “buy” rating from this column.

Safety review

Based on the 2004 Kia Amanti base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
5 years / 60,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years / 100,000 miles
Powertrain
10 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
5 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6 years or newer / less than 80,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles
Dealer certification
165-point inspection

Consumer reviews

4.7 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.9
Interior 4.9
Performance 4.4
Value 4.8
Exterior 4.7
Reliability 4.7

Most recent

  • Very dependable car for the money

    My mother in law owned this car first, then we bought it for our daughter. She had it for years and it was very reliable and dependable. It stopped once on her but needed a new battery and has worked great every since the battery was replaced. We hated to part with it but the daughter wanted a more trendier car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    9 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • 2004 Kia Amanti 170,000+ Miles Strong

    2004 Kia Amanti?great styling, safety features, reliability, warranty, and pretty good gas mileage. But did you know that you could easily keep a 2004 Kia Amanti on the road well past 100,000 miles? We did. In fact we surpassed 170,000, and the engine still purrs. Purchased at 30,000 miles old, this vehicle never failed during eight subsequent years and only required regular maintenance, including timing belt changes, brakes/rotors, and, yes, oil changes. Life on the road in our 2004 Kia Amanti has been delightful after long commutes and even longer work hours. The sound system and surrounding sound speakers have been wonderful distractions. Unfortunately, it has all came to an end, as we have pushed a little too hard and delayed an all-important service run before the transmission became unreliable. This is the sort of thing that happens when you work too much. Still, the engine purrs. And we are thankful for eight fateful years of service and unyielding dependability. Lessons: remember to take care of yourself so you can take care of your Kia.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best car ever owned RELIABLE

    1st year model for this car, bought it new, still have it, tires, brakes, battery only repairs, just bought another kia cadenza! Love them!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The Best OMG

    I have a 2004 KIA AMANTI. Brakes, oil change, Tires, battery is the only things I have purchase to maintain this car. 136,000 miles HOORAH!!!! United States Marine Corps, Semper Fi (Always faithful). Do or Die !!!!!!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best Luxury Car Sold at a Great Price

    * Great room inside-front and rear * Great head and rear leg room * Great gas mileage w/o losing power * Many Safety EXTRAS available (ESC and EBS...) * White Satin Pearl exterior color is the deepest most beautiful color I've ever seen * Smooth ride w/o giving up control * Still turns heads, even with over 100k miles
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best car I ever owned...Bar none!

    I purchased our Kia Amanti in 2007 with 40,000 miles on her. It is now August of 2014. I have to date put a set of Michelin tires, a set of brakes and the routine oil changes to keep this absolutely beautiful vehicle on the road and driving better than even the day we acquired her. The great thing for me is being sent request from the dealership to bring it back and re-sale it to them. The vehicle, especially the 2004, is in great demand, and I ignore the requests. I am so glad we chose the Amanti. Absolutely by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. By the way, our Kia Amanti is at 116,000 miles and shows no signs of stopping and I still average 31 mpg on the highway. Would have no hesitation in buying another. So if you are shopping and wondering if this is the vehicle for you....Stop wondering and just buy it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best car I've ever owned!!

    I absolutely love this car! I purchased it in Aug of 05 with 62 miles on it. Its not a popular car in the states but it should be because its stylish, reliable, good on gas, comfortable, loaded with upgrades for a reasonable price! As of May 7, 2011 I have 92,000 miles on this car and I haven't had any major problems! I recently had the alternator replaced which cost 500.00 for parts and labor. Not too bad! UP til this day I've only had to get oil changes and make sure I got my check up every 30,000 miles. I will say that when I first got the car it seemed to be horrible on gas. I found out that I had to reset the MPG button when I start the car or if I idle too long. When I reset the MPG I will get about 25 MPG on highway and about 20 on the streets. I'm sad to learn that Kia no longer makes the Amanti. I am not looking for a new car at the moment, but I had planned on purchasing another Amanti when I was in the need for a new car! You can't get a more luxurious car for the price. It was a steal at 22,000.00
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great reliability

    I bought a 2004 Amanti in January 2005 with 31 miles on it. It now has 97,000 without a major problem. Other than brakes, battery, tires, and a timing belt I have had no repairs. I change the synthetic oil and oil filter every 5,000 miles and replace the other filters as needed. This is a very smooth riding vehicle. It rides like the luxury vehicle it is, not like a sports car. It could be improved by a tighter suspension and better transmission but overall it is a great family vehicle.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The Best Kia Made in 2004

    I dont have that much to say, because this car is perfect the few things I want to say is that i love this car. It is the most reliable car i ever driven. previously to this car i owned an 06 audi a4. With the audi i just to lived in the dealer because the car was broking up all the time. with this kia i only visit the dealer, for oil change, and brakes nothing else. if you planning on buying this car i will tell you to get it with out any dought.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Not Happy

    I purchased the Kia Amanti used. I had to put new shocks on it that were a special order and only could afford the front two. I had to take of work a day, just to get the transmission oil change and then it was over $200.00. The Air Bag light come and I took it to the dealer, only to find out that would be another $920. for parts and an additional $200.00 for labor. If you don't have a warranty, I would recommend this vehicle to my ex-mother-in-law.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 2.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best overall car I have owned!

    I have gone from a Jeep to a Buick to a Jaguar happend upon this Kia. I love it! More comfortable than my jag although it was a 99. This car is a V6 but can keep up with most cars on the road. Handles better than the Jag and Buick. People mistake it for a Benz all the time, makes me look richer than I am. Interior is very spacious and comfortable, great infinity sound sysem. All music sounds great! For the money, this car is one of the best cars on the road with out a doubt. It can get up to 26MPH interstate. No problems since purchase just over 2 years ago only oil changes!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2004 Kia Amanti?

The 2004 Kia Amanti is available in 1 trim level:

  • (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2004 Kia Amanti?

The 2004 Kia Amanti offers up to 17 MPG in city driving and 25 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2004 Kia Amanti reliable?

The 2004 Kia Amanti has an average reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2004 Kia Amanti owners.

Is the 2004 Kia Amanti a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2004 Kia Amanti. 90.9% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.7 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.9
  • Interior: 4.9
  • Performance: 4.4
  • Value: 4.8
  • Exterior: 4.7
  • Reliability: 4.7
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