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 comparing 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 25 out of 37 Best Small Cars and the Nissan Versa being ranked 22 out of 37.
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.
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:
921
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
21797
# Good or Great Deals:
221
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
Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 22Ranking
10 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 17Ranking
15 out of / 37Ranking
19 out of / 37Ranking
21 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Nissan Versa Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 37Ranking
2 out of / 22Ranking
6 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 22Ranking
9 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 37Ranking
12 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 15Ranking
17 out of / 37Ranking
19 out of / 37Ranking
22 out of / 37Ranking
26 out of / 37Ranking
28 out of / 37Ranking
29 out of / 37Available 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 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
