2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2019 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, with a premium feel thanks to its comfortable seats and well-thought-out layout. The Jetta offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base S trim to the luxurious SEL Premium, each adding various features and driver-assistance technologies.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Maxima shared a design language with other Nissan models, featuring the signature V-Motion grille and jewel-like LED headlights. Its floating-roof design and sporty rear spoiler on the SR model added to its visual appeal. The Maxima's interior, especially in the Platinum trim, offered premium materials and a spacious cabin, though the thick center console slightly limited the feeling of openness. The Maxima came in several trims, each offering a range of features, with the Platinum trim providing the most luxurious experience. Despite its older design, the Maxima's cabin was comfortable and well-equipped for long journeys.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-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 setup allowed the Jetta to handle both city and highway driving with ease, offering a smooth and sporty steering experience. The Jetta's ride quality was refined, providing a comfortable experience over rough roads, and it achieved an impressive fuel economy of 30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima, on the other hand, was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Maxima offered a strong performance, though it was more suited for comfortable cruising than sporty driving. The Maxima's Sport drive mode and paddle shifters in the SR trim added some engagement, but it excelled as a smooth and quiet cruiser. The Maxima achieved an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined, comparable to other vehicles in its class.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats and adequate rear-seat space, despite a slight reduction in legroom. Its trunk space was reduced to 14.1 cubic feet, but remained average for the class. The Jetta's interior layout was practical, with a user-friendly touchscreen and well-placed controls, making it a functional choice for drivers seeking practicality.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima provided spacious seating and a comfortable cabin, though the thick center console limited the feeling of openness. The Maxima's trunk space was 14.3 cubic feet, less than some competitors, but it managed to handle most cargo needs during testing. The Maxima offered more headroom than its rivals, and its front in-door bottle holders were a practical feature for families.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that replaced the conventional instrument panel, providing a modern and personalized driving experience.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV-and-up trims, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across all models. The Maxima offered a Bose Premium Audio system and an Around View Monitor camera system, enhancing the driving experience. However, its infotainment system was not as modern as some competitors.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta included a full array of airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Driver-assist systems like blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision avoidance were standard on higher trims, with additional features like adaptive cruise control available on the SEL and SEL Premium.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assist technologies. Standard features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. The Maxima performed well in safety tests, receiving top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.