2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more refined and upscale appearance compared to its predecessor. It was slightly longer and wider, with a longer wheelbase, which contributed to its sophisticated presence. The wide, angular grille, inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, added a dramatic flair to the Jetta's design, moving away from the simplicity of previous models. Inside, the cabin mirrored the exterior's angular design, offering a spacious and attractive environment with a premium feel, thanks to a mix of soft-touch surfaces and functional elements. The Jetta's trim levels—Comfortline, Highline, and Execline—offered a range of features, with the base Comfortline trim surprisingly well-equipped, including a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra carried over its 2020 redesign, showcasing a modern, coupe-like exterior reminiscent of a downsized Altima. This design was a significant improvement over earlier models, offering a sleek and contemporary look. The Sentra's interior was a highlight, with a modern yet simple layout that balanced form and function. The controls were user-friendly, and the centre dash featured a prominent touchscreen. The Sentra's trims—S, SV, and SR—provided various features, with the base S trim including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV and SR trims offered additional amenities, such as larger touchscreens and premium upholstery, enhancing the overall driving experience.

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. This transmission allowed for efficient power management across various speeds, making the Jetta adept at both city driving and highway cruising. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a smooth yet sporty driving experience. The ride quality was refined, with the suspension effectively absorbing rough road conditions. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 L/100 km combined and the automatic at 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, a six-speed manual transmission was standard, with a CVT available. The CVT managed power well, providing satisfactory low-end acceleration and highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering capabilities were sharp for a non-performance-focused car. The suspension handled most road imperfections adequately, though it struggled with harsher conditions. Overall, the Sentra offered a consistent driving experience suitable for commuting and occasional road trips.

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 its class. The interior layout prioritized functionality, with a user-friendly touchscreen positioned above the climate vents and a larger centre tray for storage. The blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials enhanced practicality, making the Jetta a strong contender for those seeking a functional interior.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 404 litres of trunk space, surpassing many small sedans, though not the Kia Forte. The trunk could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could hinder loading larger items. The Sentra's two rows of seating offered ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable front seats and decent rear-seat space. The interior featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with a centre console equipped with cupholders and trays for storage.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. This allowed drivers to use navigation apps without needing to upgrade to higher trims. The Execline trim boasted Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that replaced the conventional instrument panel, offering a personalized driving experience.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims featured a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with conventional hard buttons and dials for easy navigation. However, the graphics could have been more modern, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to competitors like the Honda Civic.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 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 advanced driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, though it fell short of a Top Safety Pick due to its headlight performance.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered a robust list of standard driver-assistance features, such as forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features on our test model included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with high ratings for its driver-assistance features, though its headlights received lower ratings.