Korean manufacturer Kia crossed into the near-luxury segment when it launched the Amanti. Based on the Hyundai XG350, it was not exactly a box office hit. That car has now been thoroughly updated and there are major improvements throughout.

They've lightened the platform by an amazing 251 pounds. They've changed the suspension for the better. They've also made the engine bigger, more powerful and quieter all at the same time, and they've fixed the somewhat geeky front-end styling of their flagship sedan. When you add it all up, they've created a car that offers more value than the car introduced for 2004.

The Kia Amanti is absolutely packed with standard features that the American, European and Japanese manufacturers simply can't offer at these bargain-basement prices, fully exploiting the labor-cost advantage they have over the competition.

Kia says the Amanti competes with the Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus, Buick LaCrosse and Lucerne, Chrysler 300, and Hyundai Azera, a formidable group when it comes to interior package size and value.

If the Kia Amanti's strong suit is not its breathtakingly good looks, it looks a lot better than the previous model. The strong suit here is how much car, how many convenience and luxury features, how much operating economy, and how much warranty you will get for your money. Throw in that new 264-hp engine, and the increased performance that goes with it, and it starts to look pretty good.