2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

2021 Nissan Sentra
2021 Nissan Sentra
$19,510MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
$20,365MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Sentra
$19,510MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
$20,365MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$19,510

MSRP

$20,365

Average price

$16,663

Average price

$18,841

Listings

2466

Listings

246

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Expert reviews

6.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Quiet cabin
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Stereo is lacking
  • Manual transmission not available
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Comfortable
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
  • Unintuitive technology
  • All-wheel drive not available

2021 Nissan Sentra Reviews Summary

Following a makeover for the 2020 model year, the Nissan Sentra has ripened into a prime specimen of the compact sedan genre. With competitive safety, technology, and fuel economy now supplemented by an attractive exterior and interior design, the Sentra no longer feels like a compromise—it feels like a smart choice.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews Summary

Volkswagen’s career sales leader, the Jetta receives a mild but value-minded refresh for the 2022 model year. Although the compact sedan’s lineup has been pared down (farewell, SEL Premium and R-Line), the Jetta’s standard features, technology, and power rating get a welcomed boost.
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 149 hp I4

Engine

1.5L 158 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

149 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

MPG City

29

MPG City

29

MPG Highway

39

MPG Highway

43
2021 Nissan Sentra
2021 Nissan Sentra
$19,510MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
$20,365MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Sentra
$19,510MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
$20,365MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$19,510
$20,365
Average price
$16,663
$18,841
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.5
5.0
Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Read full review

6.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Quiet cabin
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Stereo is lacking
  • Manual transmission not available
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Comfortable
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
  • Unintuitive technology
  • All-wheel drive not available
Summary
Following a makeover for the 2020 model year, the Nissan Sentra has ripened into a prime specimen of the compact sedan genre. With competitive safety, technology, and fuel economy now supplemented by an attractive exterior and interior design, the Sentra no longer feels like a compromise—it feels like a smart choice.
Volkswagen’s career sales leader, the Jetta receives a mild but value-minded refresh for the 2022 model year. Although the compact sedan’s lineup has been pared down (farewell, SEL Premium and R-Line), the Jetta’s standard features, technology, and power rating get a welcomed boost.
Video
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.0L 149 hp I4
1.5L 158 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
149 hp @ 6400 rpm
MPG City
29
29
MPG Highway
39
43
Look and feel
2021 Nissan Sentra
7/10
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
6/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, had evolved significantly since its debut as a sub-compact sedan in 1982. By 2000, it had settled into its compact four-door sedan form. The Sentra sported an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille, complemented by expressive headlights. It offered eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic. The SR trim featured two-tone paint schemes and 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its agile and fun appearance. Inside, the Sentra boasted a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, textured plastic on the center console, and a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel. The second row was roomy, though better suited for two passengers, and the trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle for three decades, received a mild makeover. It featured subtle exterior updates, including a redesigned front fascia, bumper, and grille with more chrome accents. The Jetta’s design remained purposeful yet bland, with new wheel designs and metallic colors like Kings Red and Rising Blue. Inside, the Jetta offered a driver-centric cabin with comfortable seats and ergonomic controls. The standard cloth seats had a new rhombus pattern, and leather options included a two-tone Volcano Brown and black. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster was standard, with the SEL trim getting a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The Jetta’s interior updates were subtle but added a premium feel, with contrast stitching and a leather-wrapped steering wheel on all trims except the base model.

Performance
2021 Nissan Sentra
6/10
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
6/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive with an Xtronic CVT, providing adequate performance for commuting and city driving. The Sentra’s fuel economy was impressive, with 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for SR models. The suspension system, with MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear, along with dual-pinion electric steering, offered tidy road manners and almost fun cornering. The Sentra’s 149 hp provided a realistic balance of fuel economy and performance.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It offered a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta’s fuel economy was impressive, with the manual version rated at 29 mpg city/43 mpg highway/34 mpg combined. Automatic models had two ratings: 31 mpg city/41 mpg highway/35 mpg combined for S and Sport trims, and 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for SE and SEL trims. On a long road trip, the Jetta averaged 46.9 highway mpg. However, the Jetta’s powertrain had some drawbacks, with a touchy throttle, turbo lag, and tepid dynamics. The Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes offered varying levels of responsiveness, but overall, the Jetta’s power delivery felt jumpy in stop-and-go traffic.

Form and function
2021 Nissan Sentra
7/10
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
7/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra’s interior was well-designed, with features like an infotainment touchscreen at the top of the center stack, traditional gear selector lever, and open cupholders. It had two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port at the bottom of the center stack. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the Premium Package on SV and SR models added features like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a power-sliding glass moonroof.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offered ample passenger space for four adults, with comfortable seats and driver-centric ergonomics. The cabin had buttons for quick access to climate control, audio, and seat controls. There was usable storage space, including door pockets, a center console bin, and a slot next to the cupholders. The center storage bin, though not large, was still functional. The compartment cover lacked a latch, which was unusual but not problematic.

Technology
2021 Nissan Sentra
7/10
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
7/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a standard audio system with AM/FM/USB and four speakers in the S trim, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM capability in SV and SR trims. An optional premium Bose system with eight speakers was available in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth audio, and hands-free text-messaging assistant were standard across all trims. The S trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while SV and SR trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. NissanConnect services, available on SR models, included a WiFi hotspot and remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster standard across all trims. The S, Sport, and SE trims had an 8-inch display, while the SEL trim had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The Jetta SEL also featured an 8-inch MIB3 infotainment system with navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless device charging, and enhanced voice recognition. Standard infotainment in lower trims included a 6.5-inch MIB2 system with capacitive-touch sensor, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink integration. The Jetta SEL also had premium Beats Audio sound and a remote start system.

Safety
2021 Nissan Sentra
8/10
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
8/10

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including advanced airbag systems, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, knee airbags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact airbags. It also had a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and a suite of driver assistance features under Nissan Safety Shield 360. These included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured IQ.Drive, Volkswagen’s suite of driver-assistance tech. Standard on Jetta S and Sport trims were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic braking and pedestrian recognition. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The full IQ.Drive safety list was standard on SE and SEL trims. The 2022 Jetta had not yet received crash safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but the 2021 model received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly “Good” grades from the IIHS.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Nissan Sentra is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta scores 6.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Nissan Sentra is the better choice, offering a more comprehensive package of safety features, comfort, and performance.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Nissan Sentra is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta scores 6.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 Nissan Sentra is the better choice, offering a more comprehensive package of safety features, comfort, and performance.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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