Kia Soul vs. Nissan Sentra
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Soul 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 Soul and the Nissan Sentra.
In comparing the Kia Soul's and the Nissan Sentra's specifications and ratings, the Kia Soul 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 interior volume. The Nissan Sentra has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Soul's and the Nissan Sentra's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2025 Kia Soul ranges from $18,529 to $25,990 while a used 2025 Nissan Sentra is priced between $18,991 to $26,042. For a new model, the Kia Soul's price is between $20,878 and $27,067, 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 Soul loses 41.8 percent of its value and the Nissan Sentra loses 40.7 percent of its value. This means the Nissan Sentra retains 1.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Soul.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Soul is 7.6 out of 10 while the Nissan Sentra's quality rating is 7.9 out of 10. This results in the Kia Soul being ranked 2 out of 3 Best Wagons and the Nissan Sentra being ranked 12 out of 31 Best Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Soul is 7.4 out of 10. For the Nissan Sentra the reliability rating is 7.3 out of 10. This gives the Kia Soul a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Nissan Sentra.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Soul’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Nissan Sentra base engine makes 149 horsepower. The Soul is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 472 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 fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Kia Soul. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Soul, a subcompact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Nissan Sentra, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Nissan Sentra has higher safety ratings than the Kia Soul, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
20878 - 27067
Starting MSRP:
20490
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
24145
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
17190 - 33950
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:
21997
Price Range:
18529 - 25990
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:
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 $:
8649
Depreciation %:
0.42209893
Resale Value $:
11841
Residual Value %:
0.57790107
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact Cars)
0.40897695
Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
0.38131184 - 0.42209893
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 Soul Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 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 Soul
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.6
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:
0.046
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:
2.957570009633938
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
2.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.6 - 3.8
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 Soul Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Nissan Sentra Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 31Ranking
23 out of / 31Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Soul Trim Levels
EX, GT-Line, LX, S
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):
0.051 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):
27 / 33 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
386 / 472 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
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
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
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
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:
39.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Cargo Space:
24.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
120.9 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
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
110.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2888 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
63 inches
Length:
165.2 inches
Wheelbase:
102.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Fusion Black
Gray
Gravity Gray / Steel Gray
Orange
Mars Orange
Red
Inferno Red
White
Snow White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Gray
Gun Metallic
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Fresh Powder
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray/Black
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Gray
Not available
