2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, presented a more athletic exterior than its predecessors. It featured crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille, giving it a serious and modern look. The Sentra offered a variety of paint colours, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue. The SR trim allowed for two-tone paint schemes, enhancing its sporty appearance. Inside, the Sentra boasted a spacious and well-organized cabin with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV and SR trims. The flat-bottomed steering wheel added a sporty touch, while the second row provided ample space for two passengers. The trunk offered 404 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, although featuring all-new body panels, maintained a familiar design that was subtly refined. It was longer and lower than its predecessor, with a stable silhouette and nimble handling. The GTI's front end showcased a honeycomb-patterned air intake and a signature red accent line between the LED headlights. Aerodynamic improvements included redesigned side-view mirrors and underbody paneling. The GTI came with red brake calipers and various wheel sizes depending on the trim. It offered a range of colours, including Atlantic Blue Metallic and King’s Red Metallic. Inside, the GTI featured plaid cloth seats as standard, with Vienna leather available on higher trims. The driver-centric design included a unique "light and sight" panel for easy control of headlights and defogging settings.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive with an Xtronic CVT, providing adequate performance for daily commuting. The Sentra's curb weight ranged from 1,349 to 1,411 kilograms, contributing to its nimble handling. Fuel consumption was efficient, with figures of 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway for S and SV models. The Sentra's suspension and steering offered tidy road manners, making it enjoyable to drive despite its modest power output.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivered 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided exhilarating performance. The GTI's fuel consumption was estimated at 9.3 L/100 km city and 7.0 highway with the automatic transmission. The GTI featured a retuned suspension with stiffer rear springs and a lighter front assembly, enhancing its handling capabilities. Various drive modes and an electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential contributed to its agile cornering and traction.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a well-organized interior with features like a traditional gear selector, open cupholders, and ample storage options. It included USB ports and a 12-volt port for connectivity. The Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort on long journeys, and heated front seats were standard. The SR Premium grade added features like a power-adjustable driver's seat and a power-sliding glass moonroof.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in practicality with 564 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 977 litres with the rear seats folded. The driver-centric design included a centre stack angled toward the driver and a "light and sight" panel for easy control of lighting and defogging. Rear-seat legroom was impressive, making it suitable for family use.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a standard audio system with four speakers, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM capability in higher trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an 8-inch touchscreen on SV and SR trims. Navigation was not available, but smartphone integration provided access to navigation apps.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasted a fully digital driver information display with customizable gauge layouts. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen in the base trim and a 10-inch display with navigation in higher trims. Standard features included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Performance trim offered a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured IQ.Drive, offering advanced driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Park Distance Control was standard, with Park Assist available on higher trims. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs, and the GTI had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.