2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set a bold design precedent for Nissan's lineup. Its distinctive styling, featuring a "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille, was later adopted by other Nissan models like the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima stood out with its aggressive front end and large grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The 40th Anniversary Edition added a two-tone exterior, gloss-black alloy wheels, and red leather upholstery, enhancing its already striking appearance. Despite its bold design, the Maxima's interior was well-appointed, with dark-red leather seats and white gauge faces adding a touch of retro flair.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta maintained its status as a best-seller for the brand, even amid challenging market conditions. The Jetta's 2022 update included subtle exterior tweaks, such as a redesigned grille with more chrome and standard LED lighting. The Jetta's design was understated, likened to a suitcase in its simplicity, yet it managed to convey a more aggressive profile with its new front fascia and wheel designs. Inside, the Jetta offered a driver-centric cabin with ergonomic controls and ample storage space. The interior updates, including a new rhombus pattern on cloth seats and contrast stitching, added a touch of sophistication to the compact sedan.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While it didn't quite live up to the "four-door sports car" moniker, the Maxima offered a satisfying driving experience with its quick acceleration and impressive V6 sound. The CVT was notably responsive, enhancing the driving dynamics. However, the Maxima's steering lacked precision, and the front-wheel-drive setup led to some torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these drawbacks, the Maxima excelled in highway cruising, offering a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Volkswagen Taos SUV, provided a slight power increase over the previous model. The Jetta offered a choice between a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the Jetta's powertrain was efficient, achieving impressive fuel economy figures, it was let down by a touchy throttle and turbo lag. The Jetta's driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom, offered varying levels of responsiveness, but overall dynamics were lackluster. The Jetta excelled in highway driving, with smooth power delivery and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat comfort, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, this came at the expense of rear-seat space, with limited headroom and legroom for passengers. The cabin design was driver-focused, with excellent visibility and Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats providing optimal support. Despite its spacious front seats, the Maxima's center console felt cramped, and some controls were awkwardly positioned. The Maxima's trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the smallest in its class.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, provided ample passenger space for four adults, with the option to accommodate a fifth. The cabin was ergonomically designed, with intuitive controls for climate, audio, and seat functions. Storage options included door pockets, a center console bin, and a sunglass holder. The Jetta's center storage bin lacked a latch, but this was a minor quirk. Overall, the Jetta's interior was practical and well-organized, offering a comfortable environment for both driver and passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology offerings showed signs of aging. It came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. A WiFi hotspot and USB ports were also included. However, the infotainment system's graphics were dated, and small icons made navigation challenging. The Maxima's system relied on analog controls, which were a welcome alternative to the touchscreen, but the notification sounds were jarring and unavoidable.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the introduction of the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster. The Jetta S, Sport, and SE trims featured an 8-inch display, while the SEL trim boasted a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration, Bluetooth, and USB-C ports. The Jetta SEL added an 8-inch MIB3 system with navigation, wireless connectivity, and premium audio. While the touchscreen was responsive, the voice activation system was less intuitive, often misinterpreting commands.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima earned top safety ratings, receiving an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. However, the Maxima lacked the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured IQ.Drive, Volkswagen's suite of driver-assistance technologies. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and Travel Assist. While the Jetta's safety features were comprehensive, the system required driver input and was not hands-free. The 2022 Jetta had not yet received crash safety ratings, but the previous model year received high marks from the NHTSA and IIHS.