Nissan Sentra vs. Kia K5

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan Sentra and Kia K5 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 Nissan Sentra and the Kia K5.

When comparing the Nissan Sentra's and the Kia K5's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Sentra has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The Kia K5 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Sentra's and the Kia K5's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Sentra is a better car than the Kia K5.

Pricing: A used 2025 Nissan Sentra ranges from $18,991 to $26,042 while a used 2026 Kia K5 is priced between $29,328 to $34,788. For a new model, the Nissan Sentra's price is between $21,426 and $28,113, with the Kia K5 priced between $28,490 and $39,559.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Sentra loses 40.7 percent of its value and the Kia K5 loses 46.9 percent of its value. This means the Nissan Sentra retains 6.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia K5.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan Sentra’s base engine makes 149 horsepower, and the Kia K5 base engine makes 191 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia K5, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Nissan Sentra and the Kia K5 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.

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Model & Pricing
Nissan Sentra
Kia K5

2025 Nissan Sentra
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Nissan Sentra for Sale

2026 Kia K5
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Kia K5 for Sale

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

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

28490 - 39559

Starting MSRP:

27390

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)

27345

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)

27300 - 27390

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:

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

32511

Price Range:

29328 - 34788

Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)

32511

Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)

32511 - 32511

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

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

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

12966

Depreciation %:

0.47338325

Resale Value $:

14424

Residual Value %:

0.5266167500000001

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)

0.46625448

Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)

0.46625331 - 0.47338325

Nissan Sentra Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.9 / 10

Reliability:

7.3 / 10

Retained Value:

8.4 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10

Kia K5 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

8.0 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10



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

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia K5

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

Typical Category Life Expectancy:

N/A

Category Life Expectancy Range:

N/A

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:



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

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

Typical Category Recalls:

N/A

Category Range for Recalls:

N/A

Nissan Sentra Rankings

Most Comfortable Small Cars

2 / 31

Most Affordable Small Cars

4 / 21

Best Small Cars for the Money

6 / 21

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $25k

6 / 10

Best Small Cars Under $25k

7 / 10

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

8 / 31

Best Family Small Cars

9 / 31

Most Reliable Small Cars

11 / 31

Best Small Cars

12 / 31

Safest Small Cars

12 / 31

Best Small Cars for Tall People

14 / 31

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

15 / 31

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

18 / 31

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

23 / 31

Kia K5 Rankings

Best Midsize Cars for Tall People

1 / 11

Most Comfortable Midsize Cars

1 / 11

Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value

4 / 11

Most Affordable Midsize Cars

5 / 6

Best Gas Mileage Midsize Cars

6 / 11

Safest Midsize Cars

7 / 11

Midsize Cars with the Most Horsepower

8 / 11

Midsize Cars with the Most Legroom

9 / 11

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Nissan Sentra Trim Levels

S, SR, SV

Kia K5 Trim Levels

EX, GT, GT-Line, LXS

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

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

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

Not yet available

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

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

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

191 hp @ 6100 rpm

Torque:

181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm

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

0.059 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):


30 / 40 / 34

Range (city/hwy):

372 / 496 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD / AWD

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


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Standard/Optional Features

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Alloy wheels:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Roadside assistance:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wifi:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Navigation System:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wifi:

N/A

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Navigation System:

Standard

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

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

Overall Interior Volume:

110.4 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

40.2 inches

Front Leg Room:

46.1 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

58 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.8 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.2 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

56.1 inches

Cargo Space:

15.6 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

121.3 cubic feet

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

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3230 lbs

Width:

73.2 inches

Height:

56.9 inches

Length:

193.1 inches

Wheelbase:

112.2 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 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:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

P205/65R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Super Black

Gray

Gun Metallic

White

Fresh Powder

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl

Gray

Interstellar Gray

White

Snow White Pearl

Interior Colors

Black

Charcoal

Interior Colors

Black

Black

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