Being a fairly large car seating has been well attended to as well. The power adjustable front buckets are large, spacious and comfy-couch like, being less firm than the seats found in many-a-brand originating abroad. Like the dash they have a decidedly American feel to them. The leather covered cushions up front are heated via wee dials found on the dash above the audio head. They offer up to five settings, way more than the majority of competitors, but don't illuminate to indicate that the seat is being heated. Consequently it's easy to drive for eons with an unoccupied, but nicely heated passenger seat. This may be useful when carting home take-out food, but otherwise it wastes energy and places an unnecessary drain on the electrical system.

Being a fairly large car, seating for everybody in the Amanti has been well attended to. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

While at first hard to find, the outside temperature read-out is an important feature for drivers north of the 49th. On a trip through the Rockies this September, I watched the temperature tumble some 20-degrees to the point of freezing. Although the sun was shining, the roads were suddenly subject to freezing temperatures. This is information I definitely needed to know before hurtling down a mountain pass or enthusiastically entering a curve.

Unfortunately the 270-watt Infinity audio system is only capable of accommodating a single CD. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

On a slightly negative note, my eyebrows raised when I noticed the 270-watt Infinity audio system is only capable of accommodating a single CD. There is no 6-8-10 or 12 stacker anywhere within the cabin or trunk. Such an omission is a head shaker given Peter M. Butterfield's statement regarding value, and targeting such a music loving demographic. And although volume control and cruise control buttons are situated on the steering wheel, it would be nice if Kia also included a button to scroll through station presets and CD tracks somewhere nearby.

Exclusive of these irregularities, the Amanti cabin has been well thought out and is nicely equipped. I particularly liked the intuitive door mounted controls for the power seats; very functional if not somewhat Mercedes-like. In the evening, these control, which simulate the shape of a seat, are outlined with green lighting. All other switchgear is also illuminated for night driving. Controls are logically placed and activate with a quality feel.