Nissan Altima vs. Kia Forte
In comparing the Nissan Altima to the Kia Forte, the Nissan Altima has the advantage in the areas of interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Kia Forte has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Nissan Altima and Kia Forte have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Altima versus the Kia Forte, the Nissan Altima is a better car than the Kia Forte.
Nissan Altima versus Kia Forte Pricing
A one- to five-year-old used Nissan Altima ranges from $18,703 to $28,693 while a used Kia Forte from the same model year range is priced between $16,388 to $23,108. For a new model, the Nissan Altima's price is between $26,564 and $36,309, with the Kia Forte priced between $20,870 and $28,175.
Nissan Altima versus Kia Forte Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Nissan Altima is 8.3 out of 10 while the Kia Forte's quality rating is 7.9 out of 10. This results in the Nissan Altima being ranked 5 out of 8 Best Midsize Cars for the Money and the Kia Forte being ranked 11 out of 12 Best Small Cars for the Money.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Nissan Altima’s base engine makes 188 horsepower, and the Kia Forte base engine makes 147 horsepower. Both the Altima and the Forte are rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 632 and 546 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Nissan Altima, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, and trunk space. The Kia Forte, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of rear head room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Nissan Altima has higher safety ratings than the Kia Forte, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.14 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Nissan Altima has the better rating with a Top Safety Pick+ award compared to the Kia Forte’s Top Safety Pick award.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$26,564 - $36,309
Used Asking Price:
$18,703 - $28,693
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
48.9%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$20,870 - $28,175
Used Asking Price:
$16,388 - $23,108
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
39.8%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
6.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
8.1 / 10
iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
11 out of / 12Ranking
13 out of / 51Ranking
15 out of / 51Ranking
18 out of / 51Ranking
29 out of / 51Summary Review
Not yet available
Summary Review
Not yet available
Pros and Cons
Not yet available
Pros and Cons
Not yet available
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
2.0 SR, 2.5 S, 2.5 SR, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL
Trim Levels
LX, LXS, GT-Line, GT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.14 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
188 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
180 foot-lbs @ 3600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 39 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
437 / 632 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):
28 / 39 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
392 / 546 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Cargo Space:
15.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
100.6 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3253 lbs
Width:
72.9 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Length:
192.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P215/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
195/65R15
