For a generation, the compact sedan has been the entry-level vehicle. In the age of the SUV, a few small four-door sedans survive. The Kia K4 offers fresh style and substance at a smart price. The Nissan Sentra is familiar and affordable.
Over the past decade, Kia has transformed itself from an also-ran into a design and content leader. The K4 rolls along in this lane. Nissan has never abandoned its roots, maintaining a hold on the economy market with the Sentra at the center of its strategy.
Which compact economy sedan is best for you and your family? Let’s compare the K4 and the Sentra to find out.
2025 Kia K4
The 2025 Kia K4 is a new name and face that takes over for the now-departed Forte. It is available in five trim levels, with a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.0-liter inline-4-cylinder gas engine putting out 147 horsepower through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in the LX, LXS, EX, and GT-Line. The K4 GT-Line Turbo gets a 190-hp 1,6-liter turbocharged inline-4 with an 8-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on all trim levels.
Pricing for the 2025 Kia K4 starts at $23,145.
Kia K4 Highlights
Easy on the fuel budget: Kia’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder isn’t a thriller of an engine, but it is thrifty. This means more money in your pocket. The K4’s EPA combined rating is 34 mpg, among the top in the segment. Opt for the more entertaining 1.6-liter turbo powerplant, and you should still get up to 30 mpg combined.
Roomy and comfortable: Despite the K4’s tidy exterior dimensions, it’s plenty roomy inside.
Outstanding warranty: Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty offer you peace of mind — for up to a decade. That kind of assurance can be priceless.
Read our Kia K4 Expert Review or see Kia K4 models for sale near you
2025 Nissan Sentra
The 2025 Nissan Sentra is in the eighth generation of production for this compact sedan, which has been offered for sale in the U.S. since 1982. The Sentra uses a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine sending 149 hp through a CVT to the front wheels. Nissan makes three trim levels of the Sentra: S, SV, and SR.
Pricing starts at $22,730.
Nissan Sentra Highlights
Impressive fuel economy: The Sentra carries EPA estimates of 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway/34 mpg combined in S and SV trims, and 30/38/33 in SR trim. The K4 is right in line with that for its 2.0-liter engine, carrying the same 30/41/34 rating. But the GT-Line Turgo lags a bit, delivering 26 city and 36 highway.
Premium options: Selecting the $2,490 SR Premium Package gets you a collection of features you could have only dreamed about in 1982, like a 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar, a power-sliding glass moonroof, a Wi-Fi hot spot, around-view monitor, heated steering wheel, Bose premium audio with eight speakers, and more.
Price advantage: The K4 has a slightly higher starting price, and the Sentra’s top SR trim starts at $25,730. That’s a lot less than the $29,245 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo.
Read our Nissan Sentra Expert Review or see Nissan Sentra models for sale near you
Similarities
Five-passenger seating, fuel-efficient 4-cylinder gas engines (40 mpg each, on the highway), affordable prices, and attractive styling.
Conclusion
Driving a compact economy sedan used to be a bummer. Neither the Kia K4 nor the Nissan Sentra feels like a sacrifice. Seeing how much you get for your money makes you wonder why anyone would spend more.
While the trend toward SUVs makes sense in many ways, the pure scale of an economy sedan can be a game-changer. Not only are the K4 and Sentra efficient and affordable, but they are also easy to drive and park. They work particularly well in congested city driving conditions.
Between the two vehicles, we’d recommend the 2025 Kia K4, which has an advantage thanks to its exceptional powertrain warranty, more up-to-date styling, and available turbocharged engine. We could make a case for the 2025 Nissan Sentra, but Kia’s warranty and newness tip the scales.
New 2025 Kia K4 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (97701)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$23,165 |
$21,955 |
|||
$24,165 |
$22,968 |
|||
$25,165 |
$23,929 |
|||
$26,365 |
$25,052 |
|||
$29,265 |
$27,772 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia K4 vehicles and New 2025 Nissan Sentra vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Kia K4 | 2025 Nissan Sentra | |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline | 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline |
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 149 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 146 lb-ft |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway/34 mpg combined | 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway/34 mpg combined |
| Additional Powertrain Options | 190-hp turbo inline-4; 8-spd automatic | None |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 inches | 106.6 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.4 inches | 182.9 inches |
| Width | 72.8 inches | 71.5 inches |
| Height | 55.9 inches | 56.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.2 feet | 38.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.0 inches | 38.9 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.3 inches | 36.7 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.3 inches | 43.8 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 34.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.5 inches | 56.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.7 inches | 54.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 14.6 cubic feet | 14.3 cubic feet |
