Kia vs. Nissan

When comparing the Kia brand to the Nissan brand, Kia has the advantage in the areas of used car pricing, depreciation, retained value and variety of models offered. Nissan has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, horsepower, fuel efficiency, towing capacity, overall quality, reliability, safety and vehicle rankings.

Kia versus Nissan: Pricing and Value

Analyzing Kia versus Nissan pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Nissan in 7 out of 12 vehicle comparisons. Nissan also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 7 out of 12 comparisons. Kia models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 10 out of 12 comparisons.

Kia versus Nissan: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity

Nissan vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 6 out of 12 model comparisons, with Kia offering more horsepower in 6 comparisons. Nissan offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 5 out of 11 comparisons. Kia vehicles have higher MPG in 4 comparisons, and both Kia and Nissan vehicles have the same MPG in 2 comparisons. Nissan offers a greater towing capacity in 2 out of 4 comparisons.

Kia versus Nissan: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings

A comparison of Kia versus Nissan overall quality ratings shows Nissan with higher quality ratings in 4 out of 6 model comparisons. Kia has higher quality ratings in 1 out of 6 comparisons, and both Kia and Nissan are tied for overall quality in 1 comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Nissan has the advantage in 4 out of 6 comparisons. Nissan has better safety ratings in 6 out of 11 comparisons. Kia and Nissan tie for safety in 5 comparisons. Kia shows higher ratings for retained value in 9 out of 12 comparisons. Nissan shows higher retained value ratings in 2 out of 12 comparisons, and Kia and Nissan tie over 1 comparisons.

Best Car Rankings

Kia has better car rankings in 2 categories: Kia Sportage in Best Small SUVs and Kia Optima in Best Midsize Cars.Nissan has better car rankings in 5 categories: Nissan Maxima in Best Large Cars, Nissan Pathfinder in Best Crossover SUVs, Nissan Pathfinder in Best Midsize SUVs, Nissan Pathfinder in Best SUVs with 3 Rows, and Nissan Versa in Best Small Cars.

Most Reliable Car Rankings

Kia has better car rankings in 2 categories: Kia Sportage in Most Reliable Small SUVs and Kia Rio in Most Reliable Small Cars.Nissan has better car rankings in 5 categories: Nissan Pathfinder in Most Reliable Crossover SUVs, Nissan Maxima in Most Reliable Large Cars, Nissan Armada in Most Reliable SUVs with 3 Rows, Nissan Altima in Most Reliable Midsize Cars, and Nissan Pathfinder in Most Reliable Midsize SUVs.

Safest Car Rankings

Kia has the better car ranking in 1 category: Optima in Safest Midsize Cars. Nissan has better car rankings in 4 categories: Nissan Pathfinder in Safest Crossover SUVs, Nissan Pathfinder in Safest Midsize SUVs, Nissan Pathfinder in Safest SUVs with 3 Rows, and Nissan Versa in Safest Small Cars.

Best Resale Value Rankings

Kia has better car rankings in 7 categories: Kia Telluride in SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value, Kia Optima in Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value, Kia Seltos in Subcompact SUVs with Best Resale Value, Kia K900 in Large Cars with Best Resale Value, Kia Sportage in Small SUVs with Best Resale Value, Kia Seltos in Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value, and Kia Telluride in Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value. Nissan has the better car ranking in 1 category: Versa in Small Cars with Best Resale Value.

Best Cars for the Money Rankings

Kia has better car rankings in 2 categories: Kia Rio 5-Door in Best Small Cars for the Money and Kia Sportage in Best Small SUVs for the Money.Nissan has better car rankings in 3 categories: Nissan Pathfinder in Best Crossover SUVs for the Money, Nissan Pathfinder in Best Midsize SUVs for the Money, and Nissan Pathfinder in Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money.

Available Body Styles

Kia offers 12 SUVs, 1 wagon, 4 sedans, 1 hatchback, and 1 minivan. In comparison, Nissan offers 7 SUVs, 4 sedans, 2 coupes, and 1 hatchback.

Drivetrain Options

Kia offers 11 gasoline vehicles, 3 hybrids, 3 plug-in hybrids, and 2 electric vehicles. Nissan offers 15 gasoline vehicles and 2 electric vehicles.

Kia offers 11 all-wheel-drive models, 15 front-wheel-drive models, and 2 rear-wheel-drive models. Nissan offers 6 all-wheel-drive models, 11 front-wheel-drive models, and 1 rear-wheel-drive model.