2020 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview | |
MSRP$24,300 | MSRP$18,995 |
Listings14 | Listings208 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| |
2020 Nissan Altima Reviews SummarySedans are not dead, though some models in the segment are not long for this world. In fact, post-pandemic financial pressure on consumers could result in a resurgence of the traditional 4-door car as consumers seek lower-cost, higher-value transportation. Clearly, Nissan believes in sedans. And should economic headwinds once again favour cars over more expensive and less efficient SUVs, the company is perfectly positioned to capitalize on such a theoretical trend. During the past two years, the company has redesigned or refreshed its entire sedan lineup, which includes the Versa, Sentra, Altima, and Maxima. New last year, the Altima comes with an important feature for Canada: all-wheel drive is standard equipment, an unusual offering in mainstream sedans that makes the 2020 Altima even more worthy of your consideration. But is that enough? | |
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews SummarySmall cars aren't asked to do much beyond the basics: provide efficient, reliable transportation at a manageable price. Plenty of models fit this form, and in some rare cases, they manage to do it while also being fun to drive, like the Mazda3. In other cases, the vehicle manages to feel more upscale than the competition, like the Honda Civic. But the Volkswagen Jetta's legacy has historically been defined by its ability to offer both an upscale interior and a rewarding driving experience. But then something happened with the Jetta. Starting with the 2011 model year, Volkswagen attempted to broaden the Jetta's appeal, and until 2018 we were left with a drab interior, an underpowered engine, and an uninspiring driving experience. VW’s hallmark was always that its cars felt a little special, so by adopting a homogenous look and feel, VW removed what made the Jetta unique and desirable to its fans. So Volkswagen had some work to do with the seventh-generation Jetta, which launched in 2019. Does this car move the Jetta name back toward driving refinement and upscale feel? Or does it continue to disappoint as just another bland entrant among small cars? | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.5L 188 hp I4 | Engine1.4L 147 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower188 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower147 hp @ 5000 rpm |
MPG City28 | MPG City29 |
MPG Highway39 | MPG Highway39 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.5L 188 hp I4 | Engine Name1.4L 147 hp I4 |
Torque180 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm | Torque184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm |
Horsepower188 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower147 hp @ 5000 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City28 | MPG City29 |
MPG Highway39 | MPG Highway39 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space15.4 cu ft | Cargo Space14.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight3208 lbs | Curb Weight2895 lbs |
Height56.7 in | Height57.6 in |
Length192.9 in | Length185.1 in |
Width72.9 in | Width70.8 in |
Wheelbase111.2 in | Wheelbase105.7 in |
Maximum Payload1120 lbs | Maximum Payload937 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $24,300 | $18,995 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.3 out of 10Read full review | 8.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| |
Summary | Sedans are not dead, though some models in the segment are not long for this world. In fact, post-pandemic financial pressure on consumers could result in a resurgence of the traditional 4-door car as consumers seek lower-cost, higher-value transportation. Clearly, Nissan believes in sedans. And should economic headwinds once again favour cars over more expensive and less efficient SUVs, the company is perfectly positioned to capitalize on such a theoretical trend. During the past two years, the company has redesigned or refreshed its entire sedan lineup, which includes the Versa, Sentra, Altima, and Maxima. New last year, the Altima comes with an important feature for Canada: all-wheel drive is standard equipment, an unusual offering in mainstream sedans that makes the 2020 Altima even more worthy of your consideration. But is that enough? | Small cars aren't asked to do much beyond the basics: provide efficient, reliable transportation at a manageable price. Plenty of models fit this form, and in some rare cases, they manage to do it while also being fun to drive, like the Mazda3. In other cases, the vehicle manages to feel more upscale than the competition, like the Honda Civic. But the Volkswagen Jetta's legacy has historically been defined by its ability to offer both an upscale interior and a rewarding driving experience. But then something happened with the Jetta. Starting with the 2011 model year, Volkswagen attempted to broaden the Jetta's appeal, and until 2018 we were left with a drab interior, an underpowered engine, and an uninspiring driving experience. VW’s hallmark was always that its cars felt a little special, so by adopting a homogenous look and feel, VW removed what made the Jetta unique and desirable to its fans. So Volkswagen had some work to do with the seventh-generation Jetta, which launched in 2019. Does this car move the Jetta name back toward driving refinement and upscale feel? Or does it continue to disappoint as just another bland entrant among small cars? |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.5L 188 hp I4 | 1.4L 147 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 188 hp @ 6000 rpm | 147 hp @ 5000 rpm |
MPG City | 28 | 29 |
MPG Highway | 39 | 39 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.5L 188 hp I4 | 1.4L 147 hp I4 |
Torque | 180 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm |
Horsepower | 188 hp @ 6000 rpm | 147 hp @ 5000 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 28 | 29 |
MPG Highway | 39 | 39 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.4 cu ft | 14.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3208 lbs | 2895 lbs |
Height | 56.7 in | 57.6 in |
Length | 192.9 in | 185.1 in |
Width | 72.9 in | 70.8 in |
Wheelbase | 111.2 in | 105.7 in |
Maximum Payload | 1120 lbs | 937 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
The 2020 Nissan Altima, available in Canada in S, SV, and Platinum trims, presented a sleek and modern design, especially in its Platinum variant. The car's exterior was enhanced by 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, although some design elements, like the door handle placement and rear diffuser panel, were less appealing. Inside, the Altima boasted a clean and contemporary design with an ergonomic layout. The infotainment system was conveniently placed high on the dashboard, and the climate controls were straightforward. The interior materials were on par with the midsize sedan segment, featuring matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim, though colour options were limited to black and gray.
In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered a more dramatic and upscale presence with its longer and wider body, featuring a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan. The interior continued this angular design language, creating a spacious and functional cabin. The Jetta's seats were comfortable for long drives, and the layout was practical, with a touchscreen positioned for easy access. The Jetta's design focused on blending functionality with style, offering a more premium feel than its predecessor.
The 2020 Nissan Altima in Canada was powered by a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. This setup aimed to make the Altima more competitive against SUVs. The Altima featured a strut front, multi-link rear suspension, dual-pinion electric steering, and 4-wheel-disc brakes. The ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control, which adjusted engine torque and applied brakes for a smoother experience. The CVT was designed to mimic a traditional automatic, though it could produce sudden power surges.
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, regardless of trim, came with a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine delivering 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, aided by an 8-speed automatic transmission that improved power delivery and efficiency. A 6-speed manual transmission was also available on certain trims. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a smooth and sporty driving experience. The ride was soft over rough roads, and the fuel efficiency was impressive, with minimal difference between manual and automatic transmissions.
The 2020 Nissan Altima featured NASA-inspired seats for superior comfort, though it lacked a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. Heated front seats and side mirrors were standard, with an optional heated steering wheel. The Altima offered substantial in-cabin storage but lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk space measured 436 litres, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle for convenience.
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta provided comfortable front seats and adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk space was 399 litres, average for its class. The touchscreen was positioned above the climate vents for easy access, and the shifter placement allowed for a larger centre tray. The Jetta's layout emphasized practicality, with a blend of touchscreen functions and physical buttons and dials.
The 2020 Nissan Altima's infotainment system featured an 8-inch display with stereo volume and tuning knobs, offering Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 9-speaker Bose audio system. NissanConnect Services provided connected services technology, with various plans offering features like automatic collision notification and emergency calling. The voice recognition system, however, required specific commands for desired results.
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Execline trim featured Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a full-colour digital display that could be personalized to show various information, including navigation.
The 2020 Nissan Altima offered a range of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and more. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driver assistance technology, was available but proved difficult to trust. The Altima received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta included front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a Good rating in IIHS crash tests but lacked a Top Safety Pick due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star safety rating.
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Nissan Altima is 7.3 out of 10, while the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is the recommended choice, offering a more balanced combination of design, performance, and technology.
Choose the 2020 Nissan Altima if:
- You prefer a midsize sedan with standard all-wheel drive for better traction.
- You value a smooth ride with advanced ride control technologies.
- You appreciate a clean and contemporary interior design with ergonomic simplicity.
Choose the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta if:
- You want a compact sedan with a more dramatic and upscale design.
- You seek a practical and functional interior layout with a focus on usability.
- You desire a smooth and sporty driving experience with impressive fuel efficiency.
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Nissan Altima is 7.3 out of 10, while the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is the recommended choice, offering a more balanced combination of design, performance, and technology.
Choose the 2020 Nissan Altima if:
Shop Now- You prefer a midsize sedan with standard all-wheel drive for better traction.
- You value a smooth ride with advanced ride control technologies.
- You appreciate a clean and contemporary interior design with ergonomic simplicity.
Choose the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta if:
Shop Now- You want a compact sedan with a more dramatic and upscale design.
- You seek a practical and functional interior layout with a focus on usability.
- You desire a smooth and sporty driving experience with impressive fuel efficiency.
By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.