Nissan Sentra or Kia Forte – Which is Cheapest to Insure?

• When comparing 2023 models, the Nissan Sentra beats the Kia Forte in our head-to-head insurance cost comparison, costing an average of $94 less per year to insure.
• With 15 models in the 2023 small car category, the Nissan Sentra ranks third and the Kia Forte ranks ninth for most affordable car insurance.
• For a 2023 Nissan Sentra, rates cost from $1,588 to $1,678 per year, while auto insurance for a 2023 Kia Forte costs from $1,660 to $1,800, depending on the exact model being insured.
• When compared to the average cost of car insurance in the U.S. of $1,685 per year, the Nissan Sentra costs $49 less per year, while the Kia Forte costs $45 more per year.

Is insurance cheaper for a Nissan Sentra or Kia Forte?

Average car insurance rates for a 2023 Nissan Sentra are $1,636 per year, whereas the 2023 Kia Forte costs an average of $1,730 per year, making the Nissan Sentra the model with more affordable average car insurance rates.

Out of four Nissan Sentra trims, the cheapest 2023 trim to insure is the S trim at an average cost of $1,588 per year.

For the five trim levels available for the Kia Forte, the cheapest 2023 model to insure is the LX trim at a cost of $1,660.

When comparing aggregated rates for both models from a trim-level perspective, the cheapest trim to insure is the Nissan Sentra S at an average of $1,588 per year. The overall most expensive vehicle to insure is the Kia Forte GT Manual costing $1,800 per year.

The next table compares and ranks the annual and monthly cost of car insurance for 2023 Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte models, broken down by individual trim level.

The rate chart below displays the average cost to insure the two models for four different driver age groups. For a 2023 Nissan Sentra, insurance cost ranges from $1,492 to $3,208 per year for the age groups used in the chart. A 2023 Kia Forte costs from $1,576 to $3,414 to insure per year.

The next tables illustrate average car insurance rates for each trim level, plus the average rate for each model.

2022 Nissan Sentra vs. Kia Forte

Insurance cost for a 2022 Nissan Sentra averages $1,616 per year, whereas the 2022 Kia Forte costs an average of $1,694 per year, making the Nissan Sentra the model with lower average car insurance rates.

However, the vehicle trim level has a considerable impact on the final cost of insurance. So to get an accurate comparison, you need to factor the vehicle options into the mix.

To illustrate this, on a 2022 Nissan Sentra, rates range from the lowest full-coverage rate of $1,554 per year for the S model up to the most expensive rate of $1,688 for the SR Premium model. For a 2022 Kia Forte, rates range from $1,624 per year for the FE model up to $1,758 on the GT model.

Based on these numbers, if you’re comparing a base model Forte with an higher-end Sentra, then the Forte is probably going to have the cheaper overall insurance rates.

The table below shows the average annual and monthly cost of car insurance for both the 2022 Sentra and Forte, for each trim level available for each model.

The chart shown below shows the average car insurance cost for the two models for different driver ages. For a 2022 Nissan Sentra, average car insurance cost ranges from $1,476 to $3,182 per year for the age groups used in this illustration. Auto insurance for a 2022 Kia Forte costs from $1,548 to $3,362 on average per year.

For the five trims available for the 2022 Nissan Sentra, the cheapest trim level to insure is the S model at an average cost of $1,554 per year, or $130 per month.

For the five trim and option levels available for the Kia Forte, the cheapest 2022 model to insure is the FE model at a cost of $1,624 per year, or around $135 per month.

When average car insurance prices for all 10 trims of both models are combined and sorted by cost, the cheapest trim to insure is the Nissan Sentra S at an average of $1,554 per year, and the most expensive model and trim level is the Kia Forte GT costing an average of $1,758 per year.

The next tables display average car insurance cost by trim level for a 2022 Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte, along with an average cost for each model.

2021 Nissan Sentra vs. Kia Forte

A 2021 Nissan Sentra is $76 cheaper to insure per year on average than a 2021 Kia Forte, a difference of 5.1%.

The chart shown below demonstrates the average car insurance cost for the two models with different driver age groups. For a 2021 Nissan Sentra, the average car insurance cost ranges from $1,324 to $2,854 per year. Car insurance for a 2021 Kia Forte ranges from $1,394 to $3,032 on average per year.

For the five trims available for the 2021 Nissan Sentra, the cheapest model to insure is the S Sedan trim at an average cost of $1,396 per year.

For the five different trim levels available for the Kia Forte, the cheapest 2021 model to insure is the FE Sedan trim at a cost of $1,464 per year, or $122 per month.

When comparing combined rates for both models from a trim-level perspective, the overall cheapest vehicle to buy insurance for is the Nissan Sentra S Sedan at an average cost of $1,396 per year, and the most expensive model and trim level is the Kia Forte GT Sedan costing an average of $1,598 per year.

The next two tables break down the expected annual car insurance cost by trim level for both 2021 models, plus the average rate for each model. The cheapest to insure for the 2021 model year is the Nissan Sentra.

2020 Nissan Sentra vs. Kia Forte

When comparing car insurance rates for 2020 models, a Nissan Sentra costs an average of $1,438 per year to insure while a Kia Forte costs $1,512, making the Nissan Sentra cheaper to insure by $74 per year for 2020.

The next chart demonstrates the average cost to insure both 2020 models for drivers from age 20 to 50. The average full-coverage insurance policy ranges from $1,306 to $2,820 per year for a 2020 Nissan Sentra, and $1,378 to $2,996 for a 2020 Kia Forte for the sample drivers in the chart

Out of five trim levels for the 2020 Nissan Sentra, the cheapest average car insurance prices are on the S Sedan trim at a cost of $1,378 per year, or about $115 per month.

For the five different trim levels available for the Kia Forte, the cheapest 2020 trim to insure is the FE Sedan model at a cost of $1,446.

When comparing rates by trim level for both models, the lowest-cost model and trim level to insure is the Nissan Sentra S Sedan at an average of $1,378 per year, and the most expensive model and trim level is the Kia Forte GT Sedan costing an average of $1,576 per year.

The tables below display the average cost to insure each trim level for a 2020 Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte, including an overall average rate. The winner for the 2020 car insurance rate comparison is the Nissan Sentra.

2019 Nissan Sentra vs. Kia Forte

When comparing insurance cost for the 2019 Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte models, the Nissan Sentra is cheaper by $10 per year.

The next chart shows the average cost to insure the two models with different drivers at the wheel. For a 2019 Nissan Sentra, average car insurance cost ranges from $1,342 to $2,880 per year for the sample drivers in the chart. Auto insurance on a 2019 Kia Forte ranges from $1,354 to $2,936 on average per year.

Out of five trims for the 2019 Nissan Sentra, the cheapest insurance rates are on the S Sedan model at a cost of $1,370 per year, or about $114 per month. The 2019 Kia Forte has four option levels available, with the cheapest trim level to insure being the FE Sedan trim at an average cost of $1,410 per year.

When insurance rates for all nine trims of both models are combined and sorted by cost, the overall cheapest vehicle to put coverage on is the Nissan Sentra S Sedan at an average of $1,370 per year. The highest-cost model and trim level is the Nissan Sentra Nismo Sedan at an average of $1,542 per year.

The next two tables illustrate the average cost to insure all 2019 trim levels, including an overall average cost for each model. The model with the cheapest auto insurance rates for 2019 is the Nissan Sentra.

2018 Nissan Sentra vs. Kia Forte

When comparing insurance cost for the 2018 Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte models, the Nissan Sentra is cheaper by an average of $252 per year for 2018.

The chart below shows the average cost to insure both models rated for different driver ages. For a 2018 Nissan Sentra, the average car insurance cost ranges from $1,308 to $2,814 per year for the driver ages used. A full-coverage policy on a 2018 Kia Forte costs from $1,538 to $3,344 on average per year.

Out of five trim levels for the 2018 Nissan Sentra, the cheapest insurance rates are on the S Sedan model at a cost of $1,342 per year, or around $112 per month. For the seven option levels available for the Kia Forte, the cheapest 2018 trim package to insure is the S Sedan trim at a cost of $1,392 per year, or $116 per month.

When comparing both models combined at a trim-level basis, the lowest-cost model and trim to insure is the Nissan Sentra S Sedan at an average of $1,342 per year, and the most expensive trim is the Kia Forte Forte5 SX Hatchback at an average cost of $1,850 per year.

The next two tables show both 2018 models and all trim levels available for each one, along with the average rate for each model. The 2018 Nissan Sentra reigns victorious over the 2018 Kia Forte for the cheapest overall car insurance rates.

2017 Nissan Sentra vs. Kia Forte

A 2017 Nissan Sentra costs $304 less per year to insure per year on average than a 2017 Kia Forte, a difference of 20.5%.

The chart below demonstrates the average cost to insure both models for the 20, 30, 40, and 50-year-old driver age groups. For a 2017 Nissan Sentra, average car insurance cost ranges from $1,218 to $2,616 per year. Car insurance for a 2017 Kia Forte costs from $1,498 to $3,254 on average per year.

For the three trims available for the 2017 Nissan Sentra, the cheapest model to insure is the S Sedan model at an average cost of $1,306 per year. Out of the six option levels available for the Kia Forte, the cheapest 2017 trim level to insure is the S Sedan trim at a cost of $1,504.

When all nine trims of both models are combined and compared, the lowest-cost model and trim level to buy insurance for is the Nissan Sentra S Sedan at a cost of $1,306 per year, and the most expensive trim is the Kia Forte SX Hatchback costing $1,722 per year.

The tables shown below break down trim level insurance rates for each 2017 model, including the average rate for each model. The model with the cheapest auto insurance rates for 2017 is the Nissan Sentra.

2016 Nissan Sentra vs. Kia Forte

For the 2016 Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte models, the Nissan Sentra has cheaper car insurance cost by $112 per year for this model year.

The following chart shows the average cost to insure the two models for the 20, 30, 40, and 50-year-old driver age groups. The average full-coverage insurance policy ranges from $1,206 to $2,596 per year on a 2016 Nissan Sentra, and $1,312 to $2,850 on a 2016 Kia Forte for the chosen age groups in the chart

Out of five Nissan Sentra trims, the cheapest 2016 model to insure is the S Sedan trim at an average cost of $1,268 per year, or around $106 per month. For the seven trim options available for the Kia Forte, the cheapest 2016 trim package to insure is the LX Sedan trim at a cost of $1,346.

When all 12 trims of both models are combined and compared, the lowest-cost model and trim to buy insurance for is the Nissan Sentra S Sedan at an average rate of $1,268 per year, and the highest-cost model and trim is the Kia Forte SX Hatchback costing $1,504 per year.

The next tables display trim level insurance cost averages for both 2016 models, including an overall average rate. The cheapest model to insure for the 2016 model year is the Nissan Sentra.

2015 Nissan Sentra vs. Kia Forte

When comparing insurance cost for 2015 models, the Nissan Sentra costs an average of $1,168 per year to insure and the Kia Forte costs $1,384, making the Nissan Sentra the cheaper model to insure by $216.

The following chart illustrates the average insurance cost for both 2015 models with different drivers at the wheel. For a 2015 Nissan Sentra, average insurance cost ranges from $1,062 to $2,276 per year for the age groups used in the chart. A full-coverage policy for a 2015 Kia Forte costs from $1,264 to $2,738 on average per year.

The 2015 Nissan Sentra has five trim levels available, with the cheapest model to insure being the S Plus Sedan trim at an average cost of $1,138 per year.

The 2015 Kia Forte has five trim and option levels available, with the cheapest trim level to insure being the EX Coupe model at an average cost of $1,334 per year.

When rates are compared for the 10 trims of both 2015 models, the lowest-cost model and trim to buy insurance for is the Nissan Sentra S Plus Sedan at an average cost of $1,138 per year. The most expensive model and trim level is the Kia Forte EX Hatchback costing an average of $1,446 per year.

The rate tables below detail average car insurance cost by trim level for a 2015 Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte, as well as the overall average rate for each model.

Additional Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte Resources

• Nissan Sentra Insurance Cost
• Kia Forte Insurance Cost
• Small Car Insurance Cost Comparisons