Compare the2025 Kia K4VS 2025 Nissan Versa

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Kia K4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Nissan Versa doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia K4 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Versa has not been tested.

The K4 GT-Line Turbo offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Versa only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the K4 and Versa have rear cross-traffic warning, but the K4 LXS/EX/GT-Line has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Versa’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the K4 and the Versa have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia K4 is safer than the Nissan Versa:

	K4	Versa
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	16.7%	36%
Neck Stress	129 lbs.	326 lbs.
Neck Compression	39 lbs.	298 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	147/158 lbs.	354/296 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	30.2%	57%
Neck Stress	118 lbs.	271 lbs.
Neck Compression	70 lbs.	137 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	315/48 lbs.	236/194 lbs.

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 Kia K4 is safer than the Nissan Versa:

	K4	Versa
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	1 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	196 lbs.	216 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	178	232

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the K4, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 1.9% less likely to roll over than the Versa, which received a four-star rating.

The Kia K4 (Built after January 2025) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Versa has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

The K4 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Versa’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the K4 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Versa. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Versa ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 6th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 3 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The K4’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (147 vs. 122) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (132 vs. 114) than the Versa’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder. The K4 GT-Line Turbo’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 68 more horsepower (190 vs. 122) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 114) than the Versa’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia K4 is faster than the Nissan Versa (automatics tested):

	K4 4 cyl.	K4 GT-Line Turbo	Versa
Zero to 60 MPH	9.1 sec	7.1 sec	9.7 sec
Quarter Mile	17 sec	15.5 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85.3 MPH	91.8 MPH	81 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The K4 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Versa (12.4 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Kia K4 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Versa.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the K4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Versa:

	K4	K4 GT-Line Turbo	Versa
Front Rotors	11 inches	12 inches	10 inches
Rear Rotors	10 inches	11.2 inches	8” drums

The Kia K4 has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Versa. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The K4 stops shorter than the Versa:

	K4	Versa
70 to 0 MPH	173 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the K4 has larger standard tires than the Versa (205/55R16 vs. 195/65R15). The K4 GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Versa (235/40R18 vs. 205/55R16).

The K4 LX/LXS’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Versa S’ standard 65 series tires. The K4 GT-Line’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Versa SR’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the K4 LX/LXS has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Versa S. The K4 GT-Line’s 18-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Versa SR.

The Kia K4’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Nissan Versa only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the K4 GT-Line has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Nissan Versa has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The K4 GT-Line has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the K4 GT-Line flat and controlled during cornering. The Versa’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the K4’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the Versa (107.1 inches vs. 103.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the K4 is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Versa.

The K4 GT-Line Turbo handles at .87 G’s, while the Versa SR pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The K4 GT-Line Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Versa SR (26.6 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Chassis

The design of the Kia K4 amounts to more than styling. The K4 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .27 to .29 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Versa (.288 to .319) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the K4 get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the K4 a Mid-size car, while the Versa is rated a Compact.

The K4 has 9.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Versa (98.7 vs. 88.9).

The K4 has 2.4 inches more front hip room, 3.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 7 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Versa.

Cargo Capacity

The K4’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Versa S Manual doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the K4’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Versa doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the K4 GT-Line, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Versa doesn’t offer a memory system.

The K4 GT-Line’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Versa doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The K4’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Versa has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the K4 and the Versa have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the K4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Versa prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The K4’s standard driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the switch, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Versa’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The K4 EX/GT-Line’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and its driver’s window also automatically closes.

On a hot day the K4’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Versa can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The K4’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Ignition is only offered on the Versa SV, and only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car. Push Button Ignition is not available on the Versa SR.

The K4’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Versa SV/SR.

When the K4 GT-Line with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Versa’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the K4 GT-Line keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Versa doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The K4 GT-Line has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Versa doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The K4 EX/GT-Line’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Versa doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the K4 has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Versa doesn’t offer rear vents.

Compared to traditional radio, the Kia K4’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Versa SV/SR.

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