Published on 10/17/2004

The reaction was immediate. One friend noticed the car in our driveway and said unsolicited, "It looks like a Mercedes." A few days later, I drove to a friend's home and his words were nearly identical: "Nice Mercedes. Oh, wait. That's not a Mercedes. What is it?"

What is it and how it resembles a Mercedes-Benz is why the 2004 Kia Amanti, the new 5-speed automatic, full-sized sedan from the Korean manufacturer is getting its share of attention.

I seemingly, yet unintentionally, also fooled a lot of people with the 24-valve, 3.5 liter, V6, 200-horsepower 5-passenger sedan I drove for my weekly test. In fact, around town and on the freeway, I couldn't help but notice the amount of stares I received.

And my friends and strangers are right. Inside and out, the Amanti looks surprisingly similar to a Mercedes-Benz S-class sedan. The egg-shaped headlight and headlamp pattern and the front grill, for example, are not-to-distant cousins to the same features offered on the Amanti's high-priced German relative.

And while Mercedes has had a long head start and decades to tweaks its refinement, some of the Amanti's interior features are equally impressive. The wood grain-accented dash is well-designed and handsome. The driver and passenger front seat adjustment controls are shaped like seats and contoured into the sides of the seat panels. Both features are among many Mercedes signature features. The Kia also has several small but important quality nuances, like front seat, side panel pullout map pockets.

Likewise, the Amanti is generously spacious with 105.6 cubic feet, well-positioned seats, easy entry and exit and plenty of room for five adults. Standard features and options are plentiful, particularly for a vehicle well under $30,000 with every available option included.

Consider, for the example, the $2,750 added installed equipment: sunroof, individually heated front seats, leather-trimmed seats, automatic-dimming inside mirror, two-position memory for driver's seat and outside mirrors and Infinity AM/FM cassette with six-disc CD.

Standard equipment includes: dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way driver seat and four-way passenger seat, cruise control, three 12V power outlets, leather steering wheel with audio and cruise remote functions, front fog lamps and front windshield deicer.

The Amanti's refined looks and generous features are complemented by a fine drive. Beside its comfort, Mercedes, of course, honed its enduring legacy with superior handling and driving performance. It's hard to beat at any price.

But the Amanti doesn't get close to embarrassing itself. It accelerates well in traffic and cruises with a nice, quiet ride in highway situations. The power steering is near effortless and the car maneuvers in and of tight situations without hesitation.

Kia is owned by Hyundai, and within in the two brands, the Amanti is the most luxurious and most expensive Korean vehicle available. And while Mercedes has earned its reputation and status in the marketplace, for a first-year vehicle, the Amanti has done well in its debut. Its rich cousin would do well to keep a close eye.

Safety Features — Dual front, front and rear-mounted and curtain side airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 17 mpg (city), 25 mpg (highway)

Warranty — Bumper to bumper (5 years/60,000 miles); Powertrain (10 years/100,000 miles); corrosion (5 years/100,000 miles); 24-hour roadside assistance (5 years/unlimited miles).

Base Price Range — $24,995 - $28,260.