2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta underwent a subtle makeover, featuring an engine update, exterior styling tweaks, and improved infotainment. It was available in three trims in Canada: Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline, with the Highline being the focus of this review. The exterior changes were minimal, with updates to the front fascia, bumper, and grille, which now included more chrome. The rear bumper was redesigned to be more square, and LED lighting became standard. New wheel designs and metallic colours were introduced, giving the Jetta a slightly more aggressive profile. Inside, the Jetta received subtle updates, such as new seat patterns and contrast stitching, with the Highline offering a two-tone leather interior option. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard, with the Highline featuring a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro.

The 2023 Nissan Altima showcased updated front styling with a revised grille and new wheel designs, enhancing its visual presence, especially in higher trims with 19-inch wheels. In Canada, it continued with four trims: S, SR, SR Premium, and Platinum, and remained the only mid-size sedan offering standard all-wheel drive. The interior was simple and comfortable, with controls laid out logically. Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Altima's trunk offered 437 litres of cargo space, smaller than some competitors but usefully shaped. Interior storage was reasonable, though some design choices, like the floor mats, were less practical.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It offered a choice between a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard. The Jetta's fuel economy was impressive, with estimates of 8.0 L/100 km city and 5.5 highway for the manual, and slightly higher for the automatic. On a long road trip, it averaged 5.0 L/100 km on the highway. The Jetta provided a comfortable ride, though the powertrain had some drawbacks, such as a touchy throttle and turbo lag. It offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes, but the steering feedback was detached, and acceleration in stop-and-go traffic was jumpy.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The standard AWD system could send up to half of the engine’s output to the rear wheels. Fuel economy ratings were 9.1 L/100 km city and 6.5 highway for the base trim, with slightly higher figures for other trims. The Altima's performance was adequate, though the ride was firm, and road noise was noticeable at highway speeds. Rear visibility was poor, requiring reliance on the reversing camera. In mountainous areas, the Altima showed good grip, but the steering felt lifeless, and the brakes heated up easily.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, offered ample passenger space for four adults, with comfortable seats and driver-centric ergonomics. Controls for climate, audio, and seat functions were easily accessible, and storage options included door pockets, a centre console bin, and a sunglass holder. The centre storage bin lacked a latch, which was unusual but not problematic.

The 2023 Nissan Altima featured a straightforward and comfortable interior, with controls rendered in matte black for easy readability. The Zero Gravity seats were comfortable, though the sticky leather upholstery was less ideal. The Altima had dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making entry and exit more challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom. Interior storage was reasonable, though some design choices, like the floor mats, were impractical. The trunk offered 437 litres of cargo space, smaller than some competitors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came with a Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster, with Comfortline and Highline models featuring an 8-inch infotainment system. The Highline offered a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro with additional widgets. The infotainment system supported Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink, with Bluetooth and USB-C ports standard. The Highline also included premium Beats Audio and a remote start system.

The 2023 Nissan Altima featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SR Premium and Platinum trims offered a new 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. NissanConnect Services required a subscription, offering remote engine start and SOS calling. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available on higher trims, though performance varied. The new infotainment system was a significant improvement, with a better user interface and voice recognition.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian recognition as standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Comfortline trim, along with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to an Acceptable side crash test score.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. ProPilot Assist was available on higher trims, offering adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.