2021 Nissan Maxima vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer and wider body, maintaining the same height. Its design was inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, featuring a wide, angular grille that added a dramatic flair to its appearance. Inside, the Jetta continued this angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional. The interior offered a premium feel with comfortable seats suitable for long drives, despite not all surfaces being soft-touch. The Jetta was available in Comfortline, Highline, and Execline trims, with the base Comfortline trim surprisingly well-equipped, including features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Maxima set a bold tone with its steeply-angled front end and massive grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The Maxima distinguished itself with styling elements like a “floating” roofline and “V-Motion” grille, which were later adopted by other Nissan models. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim, although not available in Canada, showcased features like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim. The Maxima's design emphasized a sporty aesthetic, but its interior space was more driver-focused, offering generous front headroom and legroom at the expense of rear-seat passenger comfort. The cabin was designed around the driver, providing an expansive view of the road and excellent side visibility.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission, which replaced the previous six-speed automatic. This transmission allowed the Jetta to deliver power efficiently across a range of speeds, making it suitable for both city driving and highway cruising. The Jetta also offered a 6-speed manual transmission on the Comfortline and Highline trims, with all models being front-wheel drive. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, providing a smooth and sporty driving experience, while the ride quality was refined yet comfortable over rough roads. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and the automatic at 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While not a "four-door sports car," the Maxima offered a quick and enjoyable driving experience, with the V6 engine providing a satisfying sound. The CVT was responsive, meting out power effectively, and the Maxima handled corners with agility, although the steering lacked precision and feel. Torque steer was present under heavy throttle, affecting confidence during spirited driving. The Maxima excelled in highway cruising, with a quiet cabin and a comfortable ride, despite its stiff suspension and 19-inch wheels.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats, even on long trips, with adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk space was 399 litres, which was average for the class. The interior layout was practical, with the touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for easy access, and the shifter moved back to allow for a larger centre tray. The Jetta combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, prioritizing functionality and ease of use.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Maxima provided generous front headroom and legroom, but at the expense of rear-seat passenger space. The rear headroom was near the bottom of the class, and rear legroom was the worst among full-size sedans. The seats were positioned far inboard, affecting the feeling of spaciousness, and some controls were awkwardly placed. The Maxima featured Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” front seats, designed for optimum support, with power adjustments and extra bolstering. The trunk space was 405 litres, the least in its competitive set, with the Maxima being a sedan with a conventional trunk.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The Execline trim offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a full-colour digital display that could be personalized to show various information, including navigation.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. A built-in WiFi hotspot and both USB-A and USB-C ports were standard, along with an 11-speaker Bose audio system. However, the infotainment system felt dated, with small icons and unpleasant notification sounds. The Maxima included plenty of analog controls, but the touchscreen's usability was lacking.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Execline included additional driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a Good rating in all IIHS crash tests but did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Jetta a five-star safety rating.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a Superior rating for front crash prevention. The NHTSA gave the Maxima a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Maxima also offered a 360-degree camera system on higher trims, but it did not include the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.