2021 Nissan Sentra 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 attractive, with a premium feel despite not all surfaces being soft-touch. The seats were notably comfortable, suitable for long drives. The Jetta was available in Comfortline, Highline, and Execline trims, with the base Comfortline trim offering a surprising array of features, including 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, showcased an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. It offered a range of vibrant paint colours and optional two-tone schemes for the SR trim. The Sentra's interior featured a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV and SR trims, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel for a sporty touch. The second row was roomy, though best suited for two passengers. The Sentra's trunk offered 404 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split rear seat for additional flexibility. The interior design was practical, with well-placed features and a focus on comfort, highlighted by Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats.

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, aided by an 8-speed automatic transmission that replaced the previous six-speed. This setup allowed the Jetta to deliver power efficiently across various speeds, with a 6-speed manual transmission available on Comfortline and Highline trims. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a smooth yet sporty driving experience. It managed to provide a refined ride over rough roads, with fuel consumption rated at 6.9 L/100 km combined for the manual and 7.1 L/100 km for the automatic.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, generating 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It came with front-wheel drive and an Xtronic CVT, with manual transmission options available for the S and SR trims. The Sentra's lightweight design contributed to its adequate performance for city commuting, with fuel consumption rated at 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway for S and SV models. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its independent suspension and dual-pinion electric steering, providing tidy road manners and enjoyable cornering.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats, ample rear-seat legroom and headroom, and a 399-litre trunk. The interior layout was practical, with a well-placed touchscreen above the climate vents and a larger centre tray. The Jetta combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, prioritizing practicality and ease of use.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was designed for functionality, with well-placed features and traditional controls. It included two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port, with ample storage options like big door pockets and a large glove compartment. The Sentra's Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort for long rides, with heated front seats standard and a power-adjustable driver's seat available on higher trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Execline trim offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that could project navigation information.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a standard audio system with four speakers, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM on higher trims, with a premium Bose system available on the SR Premium. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the S trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on SV and SR trims. Navigation was not available, but smartphone connectivity provided access to navigation apps.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta included 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. The Jetta received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to its headlights.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included features like intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.