Head-to-head
2025 Kia K4 vs 2025 Nissan Sentra
Too close to call: Kia K4 97.4 vs Nissan Sentra 95.8 with these weights. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on price and performance.
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2025 Kia K4
The 2025 Kia K4 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the K4, is EPA-rated at 34 mpg combined.…
vs
C2025 Nissan Sentra
The 2025 Nissan Sentra is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sentra, is EPA-rated at 34 mp…
Verdict · default weights
2025 Kia K4
Toss-upToo close to call: Kia K4 97.4 vs Nissan Sentra 95.8 with these weights. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on price and performance.
Tech & comfort 2025 Kia K4 leads by 11.2
Price 2025 Nissan Sentra leads by 1.8
Performance 2025 Nissan Sentra leads by 2.5
| Category · weight | 2025 Kia K4overall 97.4 | 2025 Nissan Sentraoverall 95.8 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 98.2 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 91.4 | 91 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 97.9 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 97 | 99.5 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 88.8 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 97.4 | 95.8 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Kia K4: base trim LX FWD · Nissan Sentra: base trim S FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Kia K4 wins
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 89 against 76).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (40 points against 35.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It holds 14.6 cu ft behind the second row against 14.3.
Where the 2025 Nissan Sentra answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (32 against 47 filed with NHTSA).
- It turns out 146 lb-ft of torque against 132.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- The same EPA fuel cost ($1,950 a year).
- 34 combined.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
51 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $21,990 | $21,590 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 1,999 cc | 1,997 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.0L I-4, Multi Point Injection (MPI), Atkinson | 2.0L DOHC I4 |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | 4 valves per cylinder, Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 149 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 146 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 34 mpg | 34 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 40 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 5.149:1 | 5.034C |
| Transmission type | Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 4.7 in |
| Overall height | 55.9 in | 56.9 in |
| Overall length | 185 in | 183 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in | 71.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | 107 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 14.6 cu-ft | 14.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 98.7 cu-ft | 110 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39 in | 38.9 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 36.7 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.3 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.3 in | 43.8 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 34.9 in |
| Third-row legroom | 38 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 2,956 lbs | 3,036 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 2,932 lbs | 3,036 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 3,924 lbs | 3,957 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 921 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson strut | Independent strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension type | Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) | Multi-link independent |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Column Mounted-Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | Dual pinion electric power-assisted (vehicle-speed-sensitive) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 17.6 ft | 19.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 381 mm | 279 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | Vented disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | Foot brake |
| Rear brake diameter | 356 mm | 229 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | drum |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | steel | steel |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/55R16 | 205/60R16 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 12.4 gal | 12.4 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 92 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | NissanConnect |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 56.5 in | 56.4 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 54.5 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 54.7 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
159 features · differences first, then sharedSafety29 differ · 41 listed
| Feature | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA), Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist/Junction-Turning | std | — |
| Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go, steering remote control | std | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA), Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist/Junction-Turning | std | — |
| Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | — | std |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning with haptic steering wheel | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | std | — |
| Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Blind Spot Warning | — | std |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Child Anchor (ISO FIX) | std | — |
| Child safety rear door locks | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger knee supplemental air bags | — | std |
| Easy-Fill Tire Alert | — | std |
| Electronic Brake force Distribution | — | std |
| Emergency inside trunk release | — | std |
| Front and rear 3-point seat belts | std | — |
| Front and rear seat-belt pretensioners and load limiter | std | — |
| Front seatbelt buckle sensor | std | — |
| Front seatbelt Driver's reminder | std | — |
| Haptic Steering Wheel warning | std | — |
| Height-adjustable front seat-belt anchors | std | — |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | — | std |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | std | — |
| Parking brake – Foot brake | — | std |
| Rear Automatic Braking | — | std |
| Rear Child Safety Door Locks | std | — |
| Traction Control System | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | std | std |
| Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor | std | std |
| RearView Monitor | std | std |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection | std | std |
| Rear passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags | std | std |
| Anti-lock Braking System | std | std |
| High Beam Assist | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist | std | std |
| Rear Door Alert | std | std |
| Vehicle Dynamic Control | std | std |
| Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System – direct sensor type | std | std |
Infotainment16 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-inch Touch screen, ccNC Lite Radio, SXM and HD Radio | std | — |
| 1 front USB connection port (Type A) with iPod® Interface | — | std |
| 4 speakers | std | — |
| 4.2-inch multi-information display | — | std |
| 7-inch color touchscreen display | — | std |
| AM/FM/USB with 4 speakers | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ | — | std |
| Auxiliary input jack | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® | — | std |
| CarPlay/Android Auto Wired and Wireless | std | — |
| Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant | — | std |
| NissanConnect® Services (NissanConnect® Services, MyNISSAN app control) | — | opt |
| Radio Data System | — | std |
| Speed-sensitive volume control | — | std |
| USB-C charger Front (2 ports, front center console) | std | — |
| USB-C charger Rear (2 ports, rear center console) | std | — |
| Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone switches | std | std |
| Audio switches | std | std |
Convenience14 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12-volt DC power outlet | — | std |
| Auto door lock system with Speed Sensing/Shift Lever Auto Lock, and Impact Sensing Unlock | std | — |
| Battery saver | — | std |
| Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted switches | — | std |
| Front and rear power windows | std | — |
| Inside Handle Override All Doors | std | — |
| Power door locks with auto-locking feature | — | std |
| Power outlet (x1) | std | — |
| Power windows – Driver-side one-touch auto up/down with auto reverse | — | std |
| Remote releases – trunk and fuel filler door | — | std |
| Remote Trunk Lid Release Cable operated | std | — |
| Two-turn driver door unlock | std | — |
| Central door lock switch | std | — |
| Power driver window with auto-up/down | std | — |
| Remote Keyless Entry system with Push Button Ignition | std | std |
Climate4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioner Manual | std | — |
| Air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter | — | std |
| Front window defroster | — | std |
| PTC Heater | std | — |
Seating6 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's seat 6-way manual | — | std |
| Bench fixed seatback folding | std | — |
| Driver's seat Height Adjustable - Pumping type | std | — |
| Front passenger's seat 4-way manual | — | std |
| Passenger side Height Adjustable - Pumping type | std | — |
| Rear seats 60/40-split fold-down | — | std |
| Cloth | std | std |
Interior24 differ · 26 listed
| Feature | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4-inch TFT Cluster | std | — |
| 3-spoke urethane steering wheel | — | std |
| Assist grips (4) | — | std |
| C/Pad interior trim with Technical Embossing | std | — |
| Cargo area lamp | — | std |
| D-shaped steering wheel | — | std |
| Deluxe SynTex Inside Door Armrest | std | — |
| Dual LED overhead front map lights | — | std |
| Floor console Armrest with SynTex material | std | — |
| Front door pockets | — | std |
| Front/Rear Door Center Plastic Trim | std | — |
| Front/Rear Door Upper Plastic Trim | std | — |
| Glove box with damper | std | — |
| LED Map and Room Lamp | std | — |
| Luggage Lamp | std | — |
| Metal Paint Inside Door Handle | std | — |
| Parking Brake Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold | std | — |
| Sliding center armrest | — | std |
| Soft PVC Transmission Gear Shift Knob | std | — |
| Sun visors with extensions and vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Sunvisor Vanity mirror with cover and Driver's Ticket Holder | std | — |
| Two-spoke design, Polyurethane Steering Wheel | std | — |
| Trip Computer | std | — |
| Front/Rear Inside Door Map Pocket and Bottle Holder | std | — |
| Inside rearview mirror Manual day/night | std | std |
| Manual tilt and telescoping | std | std |
Exterior31 differ · 32 listed
| Feature | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 16-inch steel wheels (Dark Gray cover) | std | — |
| 16-inch steel with cover, 16 x 6.5-inch wheels | — | std |
| 205/60R16 all-season tires | — | std |
| Black Belt-line molding | std | — |
| Black bumper | std | — |
| Black Radiator Grille with Metal Paint trim | std | — |
| Black Side Sill | std | — |
| Black Side Window Trim | std | — |
| Body-color door handles | — | std |
| Body-color power outside mirrors | — | std |
| Bulb type High Mounted Stop Lamp | std | — |
| Center High-Mount Stop Light | — | std |
| Chrome V-motion front grille | — | std |
| Conventional Wiper Blade type | std | — |
| Escort headlights | std | — |
| Halogen headlights | — | std |
| Heated Back-lite | std | — |
| Heated outside mirrors | std | — |
| Intelligent Auto Headlights | — | std |
| K4 emblem (left side of trunk) | std | — |
| LED Amber Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | — |
| LED and Bulb type Rear Combination Lamps | std | — |
| LED Multi-Focus Reflector (MFR) Headlights | std | — |
| Outside Mirror with Black Mirror Arm and Body Color Mirror Cap | std | — |
| Trunk Lid Trim Inner cover with inside handle | std | — |
| UV Cut Glass and Solar Glass Windshield with Backlite, Front and Rear door | std | — |
| Variable intermittent front wipers | — | std |
| Auto Light Control System | std | — |
| Rear window defroster with indicator light and timer | — | std |
| Single Muffler Hidden type | std | — |
| Low Washer Fluid Warning | std | — |
| Temporary spare tire in trunk 17 x 4T | std | std |
Powertrain5 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L Multi Port Injection (MPI) engine | std | — |
| Idle Stop/Start | — | std |
| Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) | std | — |
| MR20DD engine (DOHC, I4, 2.0L/1997cc, 149hp @ 6,000 RPM, 146 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM, direct injection) | — | std |
| Xtronic CVT transmission | — | std |
| Front-engine / front-wheel drive | std | std |
Chassis10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ride Control | — | std |
| Column Mounted-Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | std | — |
| Front brakes – Vented disc, 11.0 inch diameter x 0.9 inch thickness | — | std |
| Front McPherson strut with Coil spring | std | — |
| Intelligent Ride Control | — | std |
| Intelligent Trace Control | — | std |
| Rear brakes – Drum, 9.0 inch diameter (S); Vented disc, 10.2 inch diameter x 0.31 inch thickness (SV, SR) | — | std |
| Rear Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) | std | — |
| Shock Absorber Type Gas | std | — |
| Twin tube shock absorbers | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPKia K4
Safety Signal 89 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 47 · 10 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (15), Unspecified (12), Forward Collision Avoidance (9)
Top recalls
- high Engine And Engine Cooling 25V548000 · 30 vehicles
- minor Electrical System 26V046000 · 42,677 vehicles
Nissan Sentra
Safety Signal 76 C
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 4
Owner complaints 32 · 6 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (6), Electrical System (5), Forward Collision Avoidance (5)
Top recalls
- high Power Train 26V410000 · 946 vehicles
- high Latches/Locks/Linkages 26V023000 · 26,432 vehicles
- high Seats 25V153000 · 199 vehicles
- moderate Visibility 25V807000 · 41,797 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Kia K4LX FWD | Nissan SentraS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $21,990 (base trim) | $21,590 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $21,990 – $28,090 5 trims | $21,590 – $24,590 3 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | K4 | Sentra |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 34 | 34 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Kia K4 or the 2025 Nissan Sentra?
Too close to call: Kia K4 97.4 vs Nissan Sentra 95.8 with these weights. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on price and performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Kia K4 scores 97.4 and the 2025 Nissan Sentra 95.8. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2025 Kia K4 or the 2025 Nissan Sentra?
The 2025 Nissan Sentra starts lower — $21,590 against $21,990, a gap of $400 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Kia K4 or the 2025 Nissan Sentra?
2025 Kia K4: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 2 recalls. 2025 Nissan Sentra: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 4 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Kia K4 and the 2025 Nissan Sentra?
Where the 2025 Kia K4 wins: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 89 against 76), lists more comfort and tech equipment (40 points against 35.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and holds 14.6 cu ft behind the second row against 14.3. Where the 2025 Nissan Sentra answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (32 against 47 filed with NHTSA) and turns out 146 lb-ft of torque against 132. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, the same EPA fuel cost ($1,950 a year), and 34 combined.