2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Nissan Sentra near Columbus OH
Vehicle Overview
Any drivers in the market for a 2020 compact sedan will likely consider the 2020 Kia Forte and the 2020 Nissan Sentra. A decade ago, Kia introduced the Forte and shook up the market with a model that immediately performed well against Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Toyota and so forth among both consumers and automotive journalists. With the 2020 model, which has recently arrived at Coughlin Kia of Lancaster in Lancaster Columbus Groveport Ohio, Kia continues to surprise thanks to the new GT and GT Line trim levels and a Special Edition package for the EX trim. The Sentra, on the other hand, has been completely redesigned for the 2020 model year, and Nissan has improved the interior, exterior, base engine and standard driver assists in order to make it more competitive with models like the Forte. Was it a success? Let’s find out in our 2020 Kia Forte vs 2020 Nissan Sentra comparison.
Exterior - 2020 Kia Forte
The 2020 Nissan Sentra is stylish and brand new for this model year. The Optima design was new in 2016, but you wouldn’t know it just by looking at. Although each style is distinct, these exteriors are quite similar fundamentally. Both vehicles are nearly 183 inches long, and the Sentra wheelbase is just a half inch longer: 106.8 vs 106.3 inches. The Forte does provide a bit more ground clearance, but aspects like height and width are all within fractions of an inch. Some exterior niceties that distinguish the Optima include automatic headlamps, automatic high beams and heated side mirrors.
Interior - 2020 Kia Forte near Columbus
The Sentra and Kia both seat up to five and offer the same overall passenger volume. This translates to headroom, legroom and so on up front and in the rear that is comparable. In both cases, tall drivers and passengers should be quite comfortable. Cargo volume is where the Forte surprises. The trunk can hold up to 15.3 cubic feet, which is quite good for a small sedan. The Sentra provides 14.3 cubic feet, which is about average for the class, and while not bad, that 1 cubic foot can make a big difference.
Mechanical - Kia Forte specs near Columbus
Kia gives you powertrain options. The base engine is a 2.0L i-4 that is rated for 147 horsepower. The FE mates that engine to a six-speed manual transmission standard or optionally to a continuously variable automatic transmission. The CVT is standard with the 2.0L i-4 on all upper trims. The GT, which is new for this model year, comes with a 1.6L turbo i-4 that makes 201 horsepower. You have your choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Sentra comes with a CVT, which is paired with a 2.0L i-4 that makes 149 horsepower. Both vehicles are front-wheel drive.
Technology - 2020 Kia Forte dealer
Kia includes the latest Uvo infotainment system as it does with all of its models. In the Forte, this includes an 8-inch high-definition touch-display and built-in support for Android and Apple smartphones. With the 2020 Nissan Sentra, you get the NissanConnect infotainment software and a 7-inch touchscreen. A larger touchscreen along with Apple and Android support are available, but you have to move up a trim level to get it. Both vehicles are at the top of the class when it comes to driver assistance technologies. You can expect systems for blind-spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, lane keeping and departure warnings and so forth.
Standard Equipment - 2020 Kia Forte
The Forte is considered one of the safest vehicles in its class by the IIHS, which selected it as a Top Safety Pick. This has a lot to do with the design but also the standard driver assist group that includes, for instance, collision mitigation and lane keeping systems. Nissan has put together a nice package of driver assistance technologies as well, but we feel that the Forte distinguishes itself with the scope of Drive Wise and the addition of an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple and Android support and so forth.
Contact Us Today - 2020 Kia Forte dealer
Are you ready to test-drive the 2020 Kia Forte? Visit Coughlin Kia of Lancaster serving Lancaster Columbus Groveport Ohio whenever it is convenient. No appointment is required, but we can schedule if you prefer. If you have any questions, you can call us and we’ll answer them over the phone. You can also shop our Forte models via our website, and we offer assistance through live chat and email so that you can request personalized quotes, discuss the current specials, apply for financing and more.
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.