2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, had evolved significantly since its debut in 1982. Initially a sub-compact sedan, it transformed over the years into a compact four-door sedan by its fifth generation in 2000. The Sentra's exterior was athletic, with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. It featured expressive headlights and offered eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic. The SR trim levels could sport two-tone paint schemes, enhancing its dynamic look. 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 with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat, marking the end of its production, introduced a Limited Edition model with a price tag of $31,570. Only 1,973 units were produced, featuring exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, and special badges. The Limited Edition was available in unique Racing Green paint, among other colors. Inside, it had Mauro Brown leather upholstery, fake wood trim, and special seat tags. Despite its decade-old design, the Passat's interior looked upscale, with a mix of inexpensive plastics and outdated technologies. The 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and small driver information display felt archaic. However, the cabin's modernity was evident in its integrated dashboard air vents and metallic detailing, offering a traditional European sobriety.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was powered by 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. Weighing between 3,036 to 3,084 pounds, the Sentra SR was relatively lightweight. 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 Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its four-wheel independent suspension, dual-pinion electric steering, and front and rear disc brakes on SV and SR models. The car's 149 horsepower felt well-balanced for its intended purpose, offering a realistic blend of fuel economy and performance.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. Despite its turbo engine, the Passat's performance was merely adequate for a full-size sedan. A six-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with a focus on fuel conservation. The Passat's torque curve provided acceptable power for commuting and highway driving, achieving 30.7 mpg on a mountainous test loop, surpassing the EPA's 28 mpg combined rating. The 18.5-gallon fuel tank allowed for over 500 miles between refueling. The Passat prioritized ride quality, though it felt jittery on city streets and conveyed impacts through its aging architecture. The brake pedal response was inconsistent, but the car was quiet on the highway. On twisty roads, the Passat exhibited traditional German handling traits, offering a flat cornering attitude and accurate steering.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-designed, with features like an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, traditional gear selector lever, and open cupholders. It offered ample storage, including a big glove compartment and roomy covered storage beneath the center armrest. The Sentra had two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port, along with big door pockets. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat available in higher trims. The Sentra's trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for additional storage.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat was known for its spacious cabin, accommodating five adults comfortably. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, though the lack of separate bottom cushion angle adjustment affected comfort. The rear seats provided excellent legroom and support, with air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage space was good, with many locations lined with rubber to reduce noise. The Passat's trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, though it lacked underfloor trays or side bins. The trunk could be opened remotely, but it was not power-operated.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a standard AM/FM/USB audio system with four speakers in the S trim, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM in SV and SR trims. An optional 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 featured an 8-inch touchscreen. NissanConnect services, available on SR models, included a WiFi hotspot, remote access to vehicle functions, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system featured a 6.3-inch screen with standard App-Connect smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth. The R-Line and Limited Edition trims added HD Radio, a navigation system, and a Fender premium audio system. The navigation system's voice recognition was limited, but the Fender audio system offered excellent sound quality. Car-Net connected services provided access to a WiFi hotspot and various service plans.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This 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 Passat included standard forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited Edition added adaptive headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and a park-assist system. The Passat's lane-keeping assistance system was inconsistent, but other systems worked accurately. The IIHS gave the Passat's top-trim headlights a "Good" rating, while the NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with a three-star rating for frontal-impact collision protection.