Compare the2025 Nissan VersaVS 2024 Kia Forte

The Nissan Versa has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Forte doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Versa has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Forte doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the Versa and the Forte have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Versa is safer than the Kia Forte:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Versa is safer than the Kia Forte:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Versa’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Forte runs out after 100,000 miles.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Versa for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Forte.

There are over 36 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Versa’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Versa gets better mileage than the Forte:

The Versa stops shorter than the Forte:

The Versa has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Forte doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Versa SR handles at .84 G’s, while the Forte pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Versa is 5.7 inches shorter than the Forte, making the Versa easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Versa has .7 inches more front headroom and 2.3 inches more front legroom than the Forte.

The Versa’s optional folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Forte LX’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Versa Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Versa can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Forte can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Versa SV/SR’s standard wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Forte’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Versa’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Forte’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Insurance will cost less for the Versa owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Versa with a number “1” insurance rate while the Forte is rated higher at a number “3” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Versa is less expensive to operate than the Forte because typical repairs cost less on the Versa than the Forte, including $100 less for a water pump and $64 less for a timing belt/chain.