From first glance, the interior of our Diamante test wagon impressed us. Every detail seems to have been worked out with special care, from the shape of the door handles to the sweeping curve of the dashboard. The overall impression is one of solidity and quality.
Even the wood accents, which many manufacturers tend to cover with overly glossy clearcoat, are muted.
Lots of comfort is included on the Diamante menu as well. There's room for five on front bucket and rear bench seats, though the three in back should be good friends. The driver and front-seat passenger are each protected by an airbag.
Automatic climate control is standard, as is almost every power assist one might reasonably ask for, with only power adjustment of the driver's seat relegated to the options list as part of a leather upholstery package.
The driver's environment was designed with comfort in mind. A height-adjustable steering wheel is standard, instruments are large and clearly marked (though one might expect more than the basic speedometer, tachometer, fuel and temperature gauges in a $30,000 car), and all controls are logically placed for optimum access. Visibility is good, thanks to an abundance of glass and thin roof pillars.
In keeping with the Diamante's luxury status, an excellent sound system serves as standard equipment. The AM/FM/cassette system offers up seven well-placed speakers and controls mounted on the steering wheel. Diamante's only audio option is a single-disc CD player.
Only a couple of interior details could stand improvement: Long-legged occupants may wish for a little more thigh support from the front-seat cushions, and the climate-control system would benefit greatly from some simplification of its dials and buttons. Everything else was more than acceptable as is.
Based on looks alone, you might expect the Diamante Wagon to be a most competent touring car. That's exactly what it is.
On the road, our Diamante's biggest asset was its refinement. The engine was smooth and virtually inaudible at most operating speeds. The transmission's performance was equally seamless: It shifted with uncanny precision, constantly adjusting to suit driving conditions.
Despite its calm demeanor, the Diamante Wagon is far from slow. It scoots along with ease, empty or fully laden, and cruises comfortably at any sensible speed. Fuel economy is good, too, as most drivers should be able to improve on the EPA figures of 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway in real-world driving.
The Diamante strikes a nice balance between roadholding and ride comfort. It doesn't quite match its European competition in responsiveness, having softer springs and steering that's not quite as precise, but we don't think it will disappoint its intended customers. The Diamante Wagon is at its best during long runs over reasonably smooth and even road surfaces.
The 4-wheel disc brakes provide excellent stopping power and seem capable of absorbing hard, repeated usage without fading or pulling to one side. Our test Diamante was equipped with optional anti-lock brakes (ABS), which should be considered essential.