DARE TO COMPARE

Nissan Sentra vs. Kia Forte

At a Glance: Sentra vs. Forte

It’s here: the trial of the Nissan Sentra vs. the Kia Forte. It’s been a close match for many years between these two masters of the road. Today, there’s a clear winner. Which modern sedan will finally pull ahead for the win? Find out in this Sentra vs. Forte guide from the Cherry Hill Nissan team!

In our guide, we’ll cover the safety, interior amenities, and performance of the Sentra and the Forte. Once you finish reading, you’ll know which sedan is ideal for your drives near Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, and Collingswood, NJ.


See the Difference for Yourself

SAFETY

Safety is at the forefront of both the Sentra and the Forte. When you get behind the wheel of either of these models, you can feel confident as you drive from Point A to Point B. After all, they both have plenty of safety features to help you on the road.

The Trial of Safety

Safety is a top priority when you’re looking for your next vehicle. Both the Sentra and the Forte come equipped with standard Intelligent Driver Alertness, a system that monitors your driving patterns for fatigued or distracted maneuvers. If it’s time for a break, this feature will urge you to pull over to relax and get some rest.

You’ll also find features like:

  • Rear Automatic Braking
  • High Beam Assist
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection

Both the Nissan Sentra and the Kia Forte have a lot of standard safety features, but which one has more?

Standard vs. Available Features

The Nissan Sentra pulls ahead with its standard suite of six safety systems: Safety Shield® 360. By uniting your on-road awareness with the intelligence of these systems, you’ll feel deeply confident and cognizant on your drives. This includes the four features listed above as well as:

  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  • Blind Spot Warning

Although the Kia Forte has several standard safety features, its base trim isn’t equipped with Rear Cross Traffic Alert or Blind Spot Warning, which means you may miss an approaching vehicle in your blind spot zones.

INTERIOR

When you step inside these cabins, you’ll be able to drive away in confidence and style. After all, you’ll feel like the ruler of the roads with either of them. They have intuitive infotainment systems and a multitude of amenities.

Technology

Using standard Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™, sync up your compatible smartphone to the infotainment center to be transported to the setting of your choice: a rock concert, a sports game, or the frontlines of an investigation. 

Stream your favorite playlist or podcast to stay entertained on the go. Both vehicles allow you to easily connect your phone.

The Trial of Luxury

Where the Forte and the Sentra start to differ, though, is with their luxury amenities. On two of the Sentra’s three trim levels, you’ll enjoy the convenience of Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control. Use this system to maintain separate climate zones between you and your front-seat passenger. Unfortunately, the Kia Forte only grants this feature to three of its five trim levels.

For a dash of elegance, upgrade to the available quilted leather-appointed seats in the Sentra. You won’t enjoy the same genuine luxury in the Forte—it only offers optional artificial leather seats. 

PERFORMANCE

Of course, you’ll also want to check beneath the hoods of the Sentra and the Forte to see which one has the power you desire. Both models are known for their reliable and efficient engines.

The Trial of Power

Although their engines are small, they’re mighty. Let the numbers speak for themselves: 


Nissan SentraKia Forte
Standard Engine2.0L 4-cylinder2.0L 4-cylinder

Standard Power Output

149 HP/

146 lb-ft of torque

147 HP/

132 lb-ft of torque

Standard Transmission

Xtronic CVT®

(Continuously Variable Transmission)

Intelligent Variable Transmission


While they have similar engines, the Sentra’s expert engineering results in an ideal balance of power and efficiency. 

The Difference Torque Makes

Although the Kia Forte and the Nissan Sentra have nearly the same amount of horsepower, you’ll notice a slight difference in their torque outputs. With a 14 lb-ft difference, the Nissan Sentra provides 146 lb-ft of torque compared to the 132 lb-ft of the Forte.

What does this mean? Well, if you’re excited to rev the engine and pull away from the stoplight, you may have better acceleration with the Sentra.

The Verdict

It was close, but in the end, the Nissan Sentra is the clear winner. Versatile, elegant, and powerful, the Sentra paves a bold, new path for drivers across Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, and Collingswood, NJ. 

Experience it for yourself at Cherry Hill Nissan. Here, our team will have you get behind the wheel of a Sentra for a personal test drive. Contact us today to schedule your test drive! 

                        

All of the tools you need to move forward with experiencing a new Sentra for yourself are conveniently available right here online.

Which One Will You Choose?

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