Kia Forte vs. Nissan Sentra

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Forte and Nissan Sentra contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Kia Forte and the Nissan Sentra.

In comparing the Kia Forte's and the Nissan Sentra's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability and resale value. The Nissan Sentra has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Forte's and the Nissan Sentra's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.

Pricing: A used 2024 Kia Forte ranges from $16,601 to $23,988 while a used 2025 Nissan Sentra is priced between $18,991 to $26,042. For a new model, the Kia Forte's price is between $20,016 and $26,625, with the Nissan Sentra priced between $21,426 and $28,113.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Forte loses 39.3 percent of its value and the Nissan Sentra loses 40.7 percent of its value. This means the Kia Forte retains 1.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Sentra.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Forte is 7.7 out of 10 while the Nissan Sentra's quality rating is 7.9 out of 10. This results in the Kia Forte being ranked 20 out of 31 Best Small Cars and the Nissan Sentra being ranked 12 out of 31.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Forte is 7.6 out of 10. For the Nissan Sentra the reliability rating is 7.3 out of 10. This gives the Kia Forte a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Nissan Sentra.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Forte’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Nissan Sentra base engine makes 149 horsepower. The Forte is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 546 miles. The Sentra is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 496 miles.This gives the Nissan Sentra the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Kia Forte the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Nissan Sentra has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room and front leg room. The Kia Forte has the advantage in the areas of rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Nissan Sentra has higher safety ratings than the Kia Forte, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.

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Model & Pricing
Kia Forte
Nissan Sentra

2024 Kia Forte
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Kia Forte for Sale

2025 Nissan Sentra
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Nissan Sentra for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

20016 - 26625

Starting MSRP:

19990

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

26555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

17795 - 45665

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

21426 - 28113

Starting MSRP:

21590

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

28470

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

21590 - 47100

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

19356

Price Range:

16601 - 23988

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

26717

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

15053 - 44102

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

1763

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

38895

# Good or Great Deals:

778

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

22070

Price Range:

18991 - 26042

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

30314

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

22070 - 52316

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

7921

Depreciation %:

0.3962452

Resale Value $:

12069

Residual Value %:

0.6037547999999999

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

0.40004783

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

0.3962452 - 0.45118908

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

8708

Depreciation %:

0.40335587

Resale Value $:

12882

Residual Value %:

0.59664413

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

0.3979908

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

0.31796157 - 0.42854561

Kia Forte Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.7 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.5 / 10

Safety:

7.0 / 10

Nissan Sentra Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.9 / 10

Reliability:

7.3 / 10

Retained Value:

8.4 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Forte

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

10.0

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.1

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

7.8 - 15.2

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.115

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Sentra

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

8.8

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

12.4

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

8.8 - 16.2

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.026



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.421398104720195

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

3.6

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

1.6 - 22.6

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.78710396149456

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.6

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

1.8 - 28.7

Kia Forte Rankings

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

4 / 10

Best Small Cars Under $20k

7 / 10

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

10 / 13

Most Comfortable Small Cars

12 / 31

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

12 / 31

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

15 / 31

Most Reliable Small Cars

16 / 31

Best Small Cars for Tall People

18 / 31

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

19 / 31

Best Small Cars

20 / 31

Safest Small Cars

20 / 31

Nissan Sentra Rankings

Most Comfortable Small Cars

2 / 31

Most Affordable Small Cars

4 / 21

Best Small Cars for the Money

6 / 21

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $25k

6 / 10

Best Small Cars Under $25k

7 / 10

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

8 / 31

Best Family Small Cars

9 / 31

Most Reliable Small Cars

11 / 31

Best Small Cars

12 / 31

Safest Small Cars

12 / 31

Best Small Cars for Tall People

14 / 31

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

15 / 31

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

18 / 31

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

23 / 31

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Kia Forte Trim Levels

GT, GT-Line, LX, LXS

Nissan Sentra Trim Levels

S, SR, SV

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque:

132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.053 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

149 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque:

146 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.049 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


28 / 39 / 32

Range (city/hwy):

392 / 546 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


30 / 40 / 34

Range (city/hwy):

372 / 496 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Alloy wheels:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Roadside assistance:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Alloy wheels:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Heated Seats

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Roadside assistance:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

Available

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.5 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.7 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

55.3 inches

Cargo Space:

15.3 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

96.0 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.9 inches

Front Leg Room:

43.8 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.4 inches

Rear Head Room:

36.7 inches

Rear Leg Room:

34.9 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

54.5 inches

Cargo Space:

14.3 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

110.4 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2769 lbs

Width:

70.9 inches

Height:

56.5 inches

Length:

182.7 inches

Wheelbase:

106.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3036 lbs

Width:

71.5 inches

Height:

56.9 inches

Length:

182.9 inches

Wheelbase:

106.6 inches

Ground Clearance:

4.7 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

15.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

195/60R15

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

P205/60R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl

Gray

Gravity Gray

White

Clear White

Exterior Colors

Black

Super Black

Gray

Gun Metallic

White

Fresh Powder

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Interior Colors

Black

Charcoal

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