2021 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, adorned with the Nissan logo. Its sleek, aerodynamic profile was enhanced by a sloping "coupe-like" roofline, though its stance appeared slightly old-fashioned due to the short dash-to-axle distance. Despite this, modern features like LED lighting and alloy wheels kept its look contemporary. The Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details, available in six exterior colours with premium options. Inside, the dashboard was uncluttered, featuring a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, with improved materials and stitching as you moved up the trim levels.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received subtle exterior updates, including a redesigned front fascia, bumper, and grille with more chrome, and standard LED lighting. Its design changes were minimal, maintaining a purposeful yet bland appearance. The Jetta's profile appeared more aggressive, with a lower front fascia resembling a smirk and new alloy wheel designs. Inside, the Jetta offered subtle but appealing updates, with a driver-centric cabin and ergonomic controls. The Highline trim featured a new two-tone leather interior option and a standard heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster was standard, with the Highline receiving the 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro.

The 2021 Nissan Altima was equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. It stood out with standard all-wheel drive, capable of sending up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined for the base model. The Altima featured four-wheel independent suspension and electric-powered steering, providing decent feedback.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It offered a choice between a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard. The Jetta excelled in fuel economy, with ratings of 8.0 L/100 km city, 5.5 highway, and 6.9 combined for the manual. On a long road trip, it averaged 5.0 L/100 km on the highway. However, the Jetta's powertrain had a touchy throttle and turbo lag, with dynamics that were tepid at best. It offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes, with Sport mode providing a slight improvement in performance.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, praised for their comfort on long drives. Standard features included power adjustment and front seat heating, with leather and memory options on higher trims. The front cabin offered ample storage, including a large glovebox, centre console bin, and door pockets. The rear seats were roomy, with a 60/40 split for trunk access, and the trunk itself offered 436 litres of space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, provided ample passenger space for four adults, with comfortable seats. The cabin was driver-centric, with ergonomic controls and buttons for quick access to essential functions. Storage options included door pockets, a centre console bin, and a sunglass holder. However, the centre storage bin lacked a latch, which was unusual.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came with standard tech features like Nissan Intelligent Key, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It featured an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen and a 7-inch Drive-Assist display. Higher trims included SiriusXM, a Bose audio system, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation with trial access to premium services.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a tech upgrade with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster. The Highline trim featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro with customizable views. Standard infotainment included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with App-Connect for smartphone integration. Higher trims offered premium Beats Audio and a remote start system.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, and more. ProPilot Assist was available on the Platinum trim, offering features like adaptive cruise control and intelligent lane intervention. The Altima received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + from IIHS.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian recognition. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Jetta received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from IIHS due to an Acceptable side crash test score and Marginal to Poor headlight ratings.