2022 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, despite boasting all-new body panels, retained a familiar look that might have been hard to distinguish from its predecessor for non-enthusiasts. The new GTI was longer and lower, maintaining a 103.6-inch wheelbase, which contributed to a stable silhouette while preserving its nimble handling. The front end featured a smooth hood, a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake, and a signature red accent line between the LED headlights. Optional light bars and standard LED fog lights added to its dramatic appearance. Aerodynamic enhancements included redesigned side-view mirrors, underbody paneling, and revised wheel-arch linings. Wheel sizes varied by trim, with 18-inch alloys on the S and SE trims and 19-inch wheels on the Autobahn trim. The GTI came in staple colors like silver, black, and white, with additional options like Atlantic Blue Metallic, Kings Red Metallic, and Moonstone Gray. The Autobahn trim offered a limited Pomelo Yellow Metallic option. Inside, the GTI featured plaid cloth seats on the S and SE trims, with Vienna leather available on the SE and standard on the Autobahn. The classic golf-ball shifter knob was retained on manual models, and all trims had stainless steel pedals.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, coupe-like exterior into 2022. It resembled a downsized Altima, a significant improvement over earlier models. The Sentra was available in bold colors like blue, burnt orange, and Scarlet Ember, with gray offered in four variations, including a contrasting black roof. The interior featured a modern yet simple layout with easy-to-use controls and a trio of vents in the center dash, giving it an upscale look. The front cabin was highlighted by a touchscreen rising from the dash. The Sentra came in S, SV, and SR trims, each offering progressively more features. The base S trim included 16-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, power windows, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV trim added 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, premium cloth upholstery, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The SR trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, sport cloth seats, and additional exterior styling elements. The Midnight Edition package for the SR trim added dark accents, including black 18-inch alloy wheels and a black rear spoiler. Optional ambient cabin lighting and external under-car lighting were also available.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, introduced in 1983, evolved significantly from its original 90-horsepower model. The 2022 version featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, an updated version of the EA888, reached peak horsepower at 5,000 rpm and delivered torque at a low 1,750 rpm. The GTI offered a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) with paddle shifters, both sending power to the front wheels. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined for the manual, with a slight uptick for the automatic. The GTI's retuned suspension, with lighter front assembly and stiffer rear springs, improved handling. Various drive modes and a standard electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential enhanced cornering and traction. The top-tier Autobahn trim featured the DCC adaptive damping system, capable of 200 adjustments per second, for even better handling.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While not outstanding, the engine provided solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps well but struggled with harsher conditions. Overall, the Sentra was suitable for commuting, city driving, and occasional road trips.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, known for its blend of performance and practicality, offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 34.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The driver-centric interior featured a center stack angled toward the driver and a unique "light and sight" panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly spacious, making the GTI comfortable for a family of four.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. However, the rear bench created a ledge, making it harder to slide larger items through. The trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. The Sentra's two rows of seating offered ample headroom and legroom in the front and decent legroom in the rear. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, with plenty of cupholders and trays in the center console.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a fully digital 10.25-inch driver information display with customizable gauge layouts and color profiles. The infotainment system included an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the S trim and a 10-inch touchscreen with navigation on the SE and Autobahn trims. Standard features included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SE and Autobahn trims also had a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Volkswagen's Car-Net system offered various features, some at additional costs, such as Remote Access, Safe and Secure, and Hotspot. Optional Car-Net Plus Nav, Plus Speech, and Plus Online Radio were available at low annual fees.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen. The system had easy-to-follow menu navigation, conventional hard buttons, and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics needed updating, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available, unlike some competitors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured Volkswagen's IQ.Drive, offering advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like Travel Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. All trims had Park Distance Control, with the Autobahn trim adding Park Assist. The GTI had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure 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 overall rating from NHTSA and a "Good" rating from IIHS, along with a "Superior" rating for driver-assistance features, earning it a "Top Safety Pick" award.