Kia is an ideal company for buyers looking for cars with value for money. The Kia Amanti is a large vehicle. Buyers are frequently impressed by its spaciousness and level of comfort. The Amanti, introduced in 2004 as an entirely new nameplate, is Kia's first large luxury vehicle. The federal government classifies it as a large car since it is around the size of a 2005 Toyota Avalon or a Chrysler 300.

The Amanti is spacious and inviting. The front seats were on pace with the Toyota and Chrysler models, as well as the new Ford Five Hundred, and the rear seats aren't far behind. The Amanti was the best South Korean product yet in terms of fit and finish.

It has a V6 engine that produces acceptable performance and is smooth and quiet on the road. Even with the optional electronic stability control, leather, and other luxury options, the Amanti is less expensive than the Toyota and Chrysler.

Let’s find out how much the 2005 Kia Amanti Costs Today

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The Kia Amanti’s Exterior Design Is Its Least Endearing Trait But It's Still Luxurious

Black 2005 Kia Amanti rear
Via: Kia

The Kia Amanti's massive grille dominates the front end. The clash between the trapezoidal shape of the grille and the elliptical outlines of the headlamps only serves to accentuate the grille's dominance of the car's fascia.

Aside from the odd grille, the elliptical headlamp shapes exude luxury, as they do on many European or Japanese premium cars. At night, they have a clean, sharp appearance, and the crisp, exact blinking of the LED turn indicators attracts the attention of drivers and pedestrians alike.

The side perspective is more cohesive, classic, and appealing. An elegant wedge-style design begins at the top of the laid-back headlights and slowly rises from the front fenders through the rear quarter, trailing off slightly before draping over rounded taillights. The rear doors blend in perfectly with the overall proportions of the vehicle.

The back doors open several inches longer than the usual for a sedan of this size, making entry and exit easier. It also lends the Amanti a richness and stretch that assists rear-seat passengers.

The Kia Amanti leaves a memorable image in its wake as it speeds away. The trailing edge of the trunk lid has a little bump in the center that acts as a mini-spoiler, breaking up the airflow over and behind the car and minimizing lift at highway speeds.

To each side, eye-like taillights wrap around the rear fenders and support a chrome-framed license plate recess in the trunk lid's vertical face. The contrast between the red taillights and the back-lit license plate is especially noticeable at night.

Unlike The Exterior Design, The Interior Is The Amanti’s Top Feature

2005 Kia Amanti interior
Via: Kia

The inside is lavishly embellished with wood (not actual wood, but "wood effect") and soft-look leather. The seats are large and tastefully padded, and the car seems spacious. It comfortably seats five people and has plenty of space in the back.

The leather interior is well-made, and the dashboard and door panels are made of higher-quality polymers than one might anticipate for a car of this price.

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The 2005 Kia Amanti’s Engine And Traditional Driving Impression

Silver 2005 Kia Amanti front
Via: Kia

The front-wheel-drive Amanti is powered by a 200-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine from the Hyundai XG-350 while being 100 millimeters longer and 50 millimeters wider than the XG-350. It's also heavier, weighing in at a whopping 4,090 lbs over the Hyundai's 3,650 lbs.

Like the design, the driving experience is traditional too. The Kia Amanti does everything it's supposed to do, and it does it quite well. It's agile enough to maneuver in tight traffic as a commuter car, with good visibility. As a long-distance traveler, it's a joy to ride in, quiet, smooth, and calm, both in terms of speed and occupant comfort.

Where it falls short is in acceleration and handling briskness. Its 200-horsepower rating is low for the class, and its curb weight is heavy. In other terms, it's hefty and underpowered.

Together with the low-tech engine management system, these characteristics could have contributed to the 20 miles per gallon fuel consumption seen on a daylong, 500-mile journey at an average speed just slightly higher than 70 mph.

The Sportmatic transmission delivers less than it promises, with a dab of driveline lash on throttle lift-off and automatic upshifting in manual mode when the engine reaches a pre-determined rpm.

The selection of tire characteristics was influenced by ride quality and cost. The Hankook tires impair steering response and handling. Furthermore, the Amanti's relatively heavyweight causes noticeable suspension movement on bumpy roads. The anti-lock brakes on the Amanti performed admirably, with controlled stops and light pedal pulses.

How Much Does The Kia Amanti Cost Today?

Silver 2005 Kia Amanti front
Rutger van der Maar Via Flickr

The beginning MSRP for the 2005 Kia Amanti was $25,500 at the time of its release, but times have changed. According to KBB, the fair market price range for the 2005 Kia Amanti is from $2,357 to $4,716, but the typical listing price is usually $4,019.