2021 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Nissan Sentra

The 2020 Nissan Sentra had a significant design overhaul, making it more appealing than its predecessors. The new model, especially in Electric Blue paint, looked stylish and modern. The mid-level SV trim featured 16-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlights, and an all-black cloth interior, which felt far from drab. The Sentra's design was inspired by the Altima, giving it a larger and more poised appearance. The car was 2 inches lower and wider than the previous version, with detailed sheet metal creases and a V-shaped grille that added to its mature and recognizable look. The interior was upgraded with a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, white-stitched leatherette dash, and knurled climate knobs, making it feel like a more expensive car. The SV Premium Package offered luxurious features like quilted tan leather seats and Infiniti-grade materials, enhancing the overall interior quality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the 2020 facelift, which was the first major change in almost a decade. The Passat shared a familial resemblance with the smaller Jetta sedan, giving it an understated look compared to its more radically-styled rivals. The car's aerodynamic shape, with a drag coefficient of 0.28, contributed to better fuel economy. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with SE and R-Line models offering larger wheels and sportier styling elements. The interior had a clean and functional design, with well-placed analog controls and a short, low dashboard that enhanced visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel felt out of place in such an un-sporty car. The materials used were mostly plastic, with cloth upholstery on S models and V-Tex leatherette on SE and R-Line trims, but the fit and finish were excellent.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The car's acceleration tapered off after 30 mph, partly due to an overly sensitive throttle pedal. The Eco mode helped subdue this behavior, while Sport mode held the revs longer. The CVT mimicked gear changes smoothly and responsively. The Sentra's independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, making it feel controlled and agreeable. The steering was quick with good on-center feel, providing a sense of control. Fuel economy was impressive, with EPA ratings of 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined. During mixed driving over 300 miles, the Sentra averaged about 30 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, with the torque output being more impressive than the horsepower figure. Power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, but switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved the response. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in some competitors. The car's ride quality and cabin noise levels were good but not exceptional. The Passat's performance was adequate for a midsize sedan but didn't stand out in any particular area.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra offered a surprisingly spacious backseat, accommodating a 5-foot-11 passenger without any issues. The front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity cushioning, which reduced fatigue during long drives. The lowered body profile improved side visibility, but the rear window's rake limited the rear view. The trunk space measured 14.3 cubic feet, which was large for a compact car, and the seatbacks folded for additional cargo space. The driving position and controls were user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, making it easy to operate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than some competitors but still spacious. However, the front legroom was below average, and the front seats lacked thigh support. The rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some rivals but less than others. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small cubby for smartphones. The layout of controls was excellent, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach. The analog gauges were easy to read and fit well with the interior design.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra did not offer ProPilot, navigation, or wireless charging, but it came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and WiFi as standard on the mid-level SV. The SV also included dual-zone climate control, proximity-entry key, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start. The SV Premium Package added bright LED headlights, a Bose stereo, sunroof, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and 360-degree cameras. The Sentra's technology offerings were basic but adequate for the price.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line models added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard on SE and R-Line trims. The Passat had a single USB-A port for connectivity and two rear charge-only USB-A ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small but included pinch-to-zoom capability, and the dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls made it easy to use. The Passat lacked flashy features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and the newer MIB3 infotainment system, but it offered a simple and functional approach.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top ratings. It included rear side airbags, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and a driver attention monitor as standard.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, but the standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.