Head-to-head
2026 Kia K4 vs 2026 Nissan Sentra
The Kia K4 wins clearly, 98.4 to 90.3, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on performance.
A
2026 Kia K4
The 2026 Kia K4 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the K4 4DR w/ DMS, is EPA-rated at 33 mp…
vs
A2026 Nissan Sentra
The 2026 Nissan Sentra is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sentra (2-mode), is EPA-rated…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Kia K4
Clear winThe Kia K4 wins clearly, 98.4 to 90.3, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on performance.
Tech & comfort 2026 Kia K4 leads by 38.2
Safety 2026 Kia K4 leads by 5.6
Space & cargo 2026 Kia K4 leads by 4.2
| Category · weight | 2026 Nissan Sentraoverall 90.3 | 2026 Kia K4overall 98.4 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 98.6 | 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 | 88.9 | 94.5 | ||||||||||||
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 | 95.8 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 99 | 97 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 61.8 | 100 | ||||||||||||
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 | 90.3 | 98.4 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Nissan Sentra: base trim S FWD · Kia K4: base trim LX 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 2026 Kia K4 wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (13 against 19 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (38 points against 23.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It gives rear passengers 38 in of legroom against 34.8.
Where the 2026 Nissan Sentra answers
- It turns out 146 lb-ft of torque against 132.
- It lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 28.
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 92.
- The same EPA fuel cost ($2,050 a year).
- 33 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
46 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $22,600 | $22,290 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 1,997 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.0L DOHC I4 | 2.0L I-4, Multi Point Injection (MPI), Atkinson |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | 4 valves per cylinder, Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 149 hp | 147 hp |
| Torque | 146 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 30 mpg | 29 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 33 mpg | 33 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 38 mpg | 39 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 5.034 | 5.149:1 |
| Transmission type | cvt | Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 4.7 in | — |
| Overall height | 57.1 in | 55.9 in |
| Overall length | 183 in | 185 in |
| Overall width | 71.5 in | 72.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 107 in | 107 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 14.3 cu-ft | 14.6 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 110 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 38.9 in | 39 in |
| Third-row headroom | 36.7 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 44 in | 42.3 in |
| Third-row legroom | 34.8 in | 38 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,097 lbs | 2,956 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,097 lbs | 2,932 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,079 lbs | 3,924 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent strut with coil springs | MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link independent | Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Dual pinion electric power-assisted | Column Mounted-Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 34.8 ft | 17.6 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 279 mm | 280 mm |
| Front brake type | Vented disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electric with auto-hold | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 259 mm | 262 mm |
| Rear brake type | Vented disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | steel | steel |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/60R16 | 205/55R16 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 12.4 gal | 12.4 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 92 |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 56.2 in | 56.5 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 54.6 in | 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
149 features · differences first, then sharedSafety33 differ · 45 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance (RCCA) | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning with haptic steering wheel | std | — |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | — | std |
| Rear View Monitor (RVM) with Parking guidelines | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | — | std |
| Blind Spot Warning | std | — |
| Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) | std | — |
| Brake Assist | std | — |
| Child Anchor (ISO FIX) | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger knee supplemental air bags | std | — |
| Easy-Fill Tire Alert | std | — |
| Electronic Brake force Distribution | 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 |
| Height-adjustable front seat-belt anchors | — | std |
| Intelligent Cruise Control with steering wheel-mounted switches | std | — |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | std | — |
| Intelligent Trace Control | std | — |
| Lane Departure Prevention | std | — |
| Parking Brake Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold | — | std |
| Rear Child Safety Door Locks | — | std |
| Rear Door Alert | std | — |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) | — | std |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor | std | — |
| Traction Control System | std | — |
| Traffic Sign Recognition | std | — |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | — | std |
| Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA), Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist/Junction-Turning | std | std |
| Dual front advanced airbags | std | std |
| Dual front seat-mounted side airbags | std | std |
| Full-length side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Dual rear seat-mounted side airbags | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | std | std |
| Haptic Steering Wheel warning | std | std |
| High Beam Assist (HBA) | std | std |
| Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) High line | std | std |
Infotainment16 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 rear, charge-only USB Type C port | std | — |
| 12.3-inch NissanConnect® touchscreen | std | — |
| 12.3-inch Touch screen, ccNC Lite Radio, SXM and HD Radio | — | std |
| 2 front USB Type C ports | std | — |
| 7-inch multi-information display | std | — |
| AM/FM with RDS | std | — |
| Audio and Bluetooth Hands-free with Steering remote control | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® | std | — |
| CarPlay/Android Auto Wired and Wireless | — | std |
| Google Assistant™ voice recognition | std | — |
| Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant | std | — |
| NissanConnect® Services including Wi-Fi Hotspot (factory option) | std | — |
| Siri® Eyes Free | std | — |
| USB-C charger Front (2 ports, front center console) | — | std |
| USB-C charger Rear (2 ports, rear center console) | — | std |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ | std | — |
| 4 speakers | std | std |
Convenience13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Key with Remote/Push-button Start | — | std |
| 12-volt DC power outlet | std | — |
| Auto door lock system with Speed Sensing/Shift Lever Auto Lock, and Impact Sensing Unlock | — | 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 with driver-side one-touch auto up/down and auto reverse | std | — |
| Remote Keyless Entry system with Push Button Ignition | 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 |
Climate3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioner Manual | — | std |
| Manual air conditioning | std | — |
| PTC Heater | — | std |
Seating7 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated front seats | opt | — |
| 6-way manual adjustable | std | — |
| 4-way manual front passenger seat | std | — |
| Bench fixed seatback folding | — | std |
| Driver's seat Height Adjustable - Pumping type | — | std |
| Passenger side Height Adjustable - Pumping type | — | std |
| Rear seats 60/40-split fold-down | std | — |
| Cloth seat trim | std | std |
Interior17 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4-inch TFT Cluster | — | std |
| C/Pad interior trim with Technical Embossing | — | std |
| Deluxe SynTex Inside Door Armrest | — | std |
| Floor console Armrest with SynTex material | — | 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 |
| Soft PVC Transmission Gear Shift Knob | — | std |
| Sun visors with vanity mirrors | std | — |
| Sunvisor Vanity mirror with cover and Driver's Ticket Holder | — | std |
| Two-spoke design, Polyurethane Steering Wheel | — | std |
| Inside Rear-view Mirror Day and Night | — | std |
| Trip Computer | — | std |
| Front/Rear Inside Door Map Pocket and Bottle Holder | — | std |
| Manual tilt and telescopic steering column | std | std |
Exterior33 differ · 34 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED Projector-Type Headlights (Low: Thin projector, High: Small cube projector) with integrated LED Fog Lights | std | — |
| 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 | — |
| Bulb type High Mounted Stop Lamp | — | std |
| Conventional Wiper Blade type | — | std |
| Escort headlights | — | std |
| Full LED Rear Combination Lamps | std | — |
| Gloss black power outside mirrors | std | — |
| Heated Back-lite | — | std |
| Intelligent Auto Headlights | std | — |
| K4 emblem (left side of trunk) | — | 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 |
| Outside Rear-view Mirror Electric adjustable and Heated | — | std |
| Single Muffler Hidden Exhaust tips | — | std |
| Temporary spare: Tire repair kit | std | — |
| Trunk Lid Trim Inner cover with inside handle | — | std |
| UV Cut Glass and Solar Glass Windshield with Backlite, Front and Rear door | — | std |
| V-motion front grille, gloss black with chrome finisher | std | — |
| Variable intermittent front wipers | std | — |
| Auto Light Control System | — | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | std | — |
| LED type High Mounted Stop Lamp | std | — |
| Temporary spare tire | — | std |
| Low Washer Fluid Warning | — | std |
| LED Amber Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | std |
Powertrain3 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L Multi Port Injection (MPI) engine | — | std |
| Idle Stop/Start | std | — |
| Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) | — | std |
| Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | std | std |
Chassis7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ride Control | std | — |
| Column Mounted-Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | — | std |
| Electric parking brake with auto-hold | std | — |
| Front McPherson strut with Coil spring | — | std |
| Intelligent Ride Control | std | — |
| Rear Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) | — | std |
| Shock Absorber Type Gas | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPNissan Sentra
Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 19 · 1 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (8), Back Over Prevention (4), Wheels (3)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V145000 · 15 vehicles
Kia K4
Safety Signal 92 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 13 · 6 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Steering (5), Lane Departure (5), Unspecified (5)
Top recalls
- high Seat Belts 26V135000 · 14,870 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Nissan SentraS FWD | Kia K4LX FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $22,600 (base trim) | $22,290 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $22,600 – $27,990 4 trims | $22,290 – $28,890 8 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Sentra (2-mode) | K4 4DR w/ DMS |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 33 | 33 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,050 | $2,050 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Nissan Sentra or the 2026 Kia K4?
The Kia K4 wins clearly, 98.4 to 90.3, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Nissan Sentra is ahead on performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Kia K4 scores 98.4 and the 2026 Nissan Sentra 90.3. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Nissan Sentra or the 2026 Kia K4?
The 2026 Kia K4 starts lower — $22,290 against $22,600, a gap of $310 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Nissan Sentra or the 2026 Kia K4?
2026 Nissan Sentra: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 1 recall. 2026 Kia K4: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 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 2026 Nissan Sentra and the 2026 Kia K4?
Where the 2026 Kia K4 wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (13 against 19 filed with NHTSA), lists more comfort and tech equipment (38 points against 23.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and gives rear passengers 38 in of legroom against 34.8. Where the 2026 Nissan Sentra answers: it turns out 146 lb-ft of torque against 132 and lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 28. What they share: a Safety Signal of 92, the same EPA fuel cost ($2,050 a year), and 33 combined.