Kia Optima vs Nissan Sentra
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 Nissan Sentra
Overview
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2020 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,390 | $22,890 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $10,488 | $5,649 (best) |
| Median listing price | $14,117 (best) | $24,364 |
| Highest listing price | $18,000 (best) | $32,315 |
| For sale now | 8 | 249 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG | 33 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 25 MPG | 30 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 35 MPG | 38 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal (best) | 12.4 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 185 hp (best) | 149 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft (best) | 146 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.4 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.9 cu ft (best) | 14.3 cu ft |
| Payload | — | 982 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,230 lbs | 3,097 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in (best) | 4.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.4 in (best) | 106.5 in |
| Length | 191.1 in (best) | 183.3 in |
| Width | 73.2 in (best) | 71.5 in |
| Height | 57.7 in (best) | 57.1 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan SentraS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Kia Optima | Nissan Sentra |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $23,390 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $22,890 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $24,890 MSRP | SV $23,590 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $26,390 MSRP | SR $24,990 MSRP |
| 4 | EX $27,190 MSRP | SL $27,990 MSRP |
| 5 | EX $29,310 MSRP | — |
| 6 | EX Premium $30,190 MSRP | — |
| 7 | SX $32,190 MSRP | — |
| 8 | EX $36,090 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Kia Optima8 for sale
See all
Used2019 Kia Optima
SX
Snow White Pearl•Black50,346 mi$17,446Phil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Snow White Pearl•Black69,814 mi$14,734Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
sangria•black114,297 mi$10,488Secret City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Oak Ridge, TN
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
Horizon Blue•black119,032 mi$12,500Mccarthy Chevrolet Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit, MO
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Platinum Graphite•black45,738 mi$17,000Fred Anderson Kia Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
- Used
2020 Kia Optima
SE
Passion Red•black38,701 mi$18,000Stanley Wood Chevrolet
Batesville, AR
Nissan Sentra249 for sale
See all
Used2024 Nissan Sentra
SV
Super Black•Charcoal60,410 mi$18,286Eastern Shore Used Car Center
Daphne, AL
Certified2025 Nissan Sentra
SV
Electric Blue Metallic•charcoal16,864 mi$21,550Nissan of Sumter
Sumter, SC
Certified2024 Nissan Sentra
SV
Aspen White Tricoat•charcoal51,973 mi$17,767Nissan of Sumter
Sumter, SC
Used2024 Nissan Sentra
SV
Super Black•Charcoal50,934 mi$18,999Hacienda Ford of Alice
Alice, TX
Used2025 Nissan Sentra
SV
Electric Blue Metallic•Charcoal56,492 mi$18,999Hacienda Ford of Alice
Alice, TX
Used2012 Nissan Sentra
2.0 S
Brilliant Silver•Charcoal126,415 mi$5,649Classic Nissan Williamsburg
Williamsburg, VA
Kia Optima vs Nissan Sentra FAQ
- Which is better: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Nissan Sentra?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2020 Kia Optima vs 2027 Nissan Sentra on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Nissan Sentra?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Nissan Sentra starts lower at $22,890. Live Kia Optima listings start at $10,488. Live Nissan Sentra listings start at $5,649.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Nissan Sentra?
- The 2027 Nissan Sentra leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (22,890).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Nissan Sentra?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (42).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Nissan Sentra?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Nissan Sentra?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on horsepower in this comparison (245).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2020 Kia Optima vs 2027 Nissan Sentra?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Optima (5/5 NHTSA overall).