Kia Forte vs. Nissan Versa

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Forte and Nissan Versa 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 Versa.

When we compare the Kia Forte's and the Nissan Versa's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, interior volume and base engine power. The Nissan Versa has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Kia Forte's and the Nissan Versa'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 Versa is priced between $16,498 to $22,902. For a new model, the Kia Forte's price is between $20,016 and $26,625, with the Nissan Versa priced between $19,290 and $23,418.

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 Versa loses 37.4 percent of its value. This means the Nissan Versa retains 1.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Forte.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Forte is 7.7 out of 10 while the Nissan Versa'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 Versa being ranked 18 out of 31.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Forte is 7.6 out of 10. For the Nissan Versa the reliability rating is 7.1 out of 10. This gives the Kia Forte a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Nissan Versa.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Forte’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Nissan Versa base engine makes 122 horsepower. The Forte is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 546 miles. The Versa is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 378 miles. This gives the Kia Forte the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Nissan Versa. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Forte, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Nissan Versa, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room and front leg room.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Nissan Versa 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.

See More See Less
Model & Pricing
Kia Forte
Nissan Versa

2024 Kia Forte
Change Vehicle
Vehicle Image
Kia Forte for Sale

2025 Nissan Versa
Change Vehicle
Vehicle Image
Nissan Versa 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:

19290 - 23418

Starting MSRP:

17190

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)

24145

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)

17190 - 33950

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:

1775

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

38511

# Good or Great Deals:

750

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

19544

Price Range:

16498 - 22902

Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)

29074

Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)

19544 - 41274

# 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 $:

6555

Depreciation %:

0.38131184

Resale Value $:

10635

Residual Value %:

0.61868816

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact Cars)

0.40897695

Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact Cars)

0.38131184 - 0.42209893

Kia Forte Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.7 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.5 / 10

Safety:

7.0 / 10

Nissan Versa Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.9 / 10

Reliability:

7.1 / 10

Retained Value:

8.6 / 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 Versa

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

8.1

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)

10.6

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)

8.1 - 15.5

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.025



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:

1.6422432019857358

Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)

2.5

Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)

1.6 - 3.8

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 Versa Rankings

Most Comfortable Small Cars

1 / 31

Most Affordable Small Cars

1 / 21

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

3 / 31

Best Small Cars for Tall People

6 / 31

Best Small Cars Under $20k

6 / 10

Best Small Cars for the Money

8 / 21

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

8 / 10

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

9 / 13

Best Family Small Cars

10 / 31

Safest Small Cars

15 / 31

Best Small Cars

18 / 31

Most Reliable Small Cars

21 / 31

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

24 / 31

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

24 / 31

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

25 / 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 Versa 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:

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

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:

122 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque:

114 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm

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

0.047 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:

1.6 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

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


27 / 35 / 30

Range (city/hwy):

292 / 378 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:

Available

Apple CarPlay:

Available

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:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

N/A

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Roadside assistance:

N/A

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

N/A

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:

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:

Available

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Available

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

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:

39.5 inches

Front Leg Room:

44.5 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

53.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

36.3 inches

Rear Leg Room:

31 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

53.6 inches

Cargo Space:

14.7 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

88.9 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:

2599 lbs

Width:

68.5 inches

Height:

57.5 inches

Length:

177 inches

Wheelbase:

103.1 inches

Ground Clearance:

5 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:

15.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

195/65R15

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl

Gray

Gravity Gray

White

Clear White

Silver

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Super Black

Gray

Gun Metallic

White

Fresh Powder

Silver

Brilliant Silver Metallic

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Interior Colors

Black

Charcoal

Popular Forte Model Year Comparisons

Popular Versa Model Year Comparisons

Related Car Comparisons

Popular Forte Trim Comparisons

Popular Versa Trim Comparisons

Popular Car Comparisons