2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year's facelift, which was the first major update in nearly a decade. This facelift gave the Passat a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta, resulting in a more understated look compared to its more radically-styled rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's aerodynamic design, with a drag coefficient of 0.28, aimed to improve fuel efficiency, although the impact was minimal. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim level. The R-Line trim added sportier exterior elements but lacked vibrant color options.

Inside, the Passat's interior was clean and functional, with well-placed analog controls and a dashboard designed to enhance visibility. However, some buyers might have found the interior plain, with materials primarily consisting of plastic and cloth or V-Tex leatherette upholstery. Despite the simplicity, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's value-oriented market positioning. The only questionable design choice was the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which seemed out of place in a non-sporty car.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, showcased an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. The expressive headlights and a range of eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic, added to its appeal. The SR trim offered three two-tone paint schemes for an additional $250, enhancing the car's design. The Sentra's design elements, such as the bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches, contributed to its agile and fun appearance.

Inside, the Sentra featured a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on higher trims, and a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel added a sporty touch. The second row was roomy for the class, though better suited for two passengers. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility. The interior design and features made the Sentra a comfortable and practical choice for daily driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower was slightly below average for the segment, the torque was impressive, providing decent acceleration from a stop. However, power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, which could be mitigated by switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears.

The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, and Toyota Camry. The ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional, making the Passat a plain midsize sedan that neither impressed nor disappointed.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, the Sentra offered adequate performance for commuting and city driving. The lightweight design, weighing between 3,036 and 3,084 pounds, contributed to its agility. Fuel economy was commendable, with S and SV models achieving 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined, and SR models slightly lower at 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined.

The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its well-sorted CVT, which provided a smooth and efficient ride. The suspension setup, including MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear, along with dual-pinion electric steering, resulted in tidy road manners and enjoyable cornering. While not a powerhouse, the Sentra's 149 horsepower struck a balance between fuel economy and performance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. Front headroom was also limited compared to other midsize sedans. The driving position was uncomfortable for many, with limited front legroom and seats lacking thigh support. The rear seats felt flat and hard.

Cargo space in the Passat was 15.9 cubic feet, more than the Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, and Nissan Altima, but less than the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with door bottle holders improperly shaped for large bottles. The layout of controls was a highlight, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach, and an easy-to-read analog instrument cluster.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-designed, with features like an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on higher trims and neatly grouped controls. The traditional gear selector, open cupholders, and roomy storage compartments added to its practicality. Two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port were conveniently located, though a covered compartment would have been preferable to minimize clutter.

Nissan's Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the available six-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support added to the convenience. The Sentra's trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility. Overall, the Sentra's interior design and features made it a comfortable and practical choice for daily driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard on SE and R-Line trims. A single USB-A port handled connectivity, with two additional rear charge-only USB-A ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small by modern standards but included pinch-to-zoom capability. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and the newer MIB3 infotainment system.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a range of audio options, starting with a simple AM/FM/USB system with 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 featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while SV and SR trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. NissanConnect services, available on SR models, included a WiFi hotspot, remote access via a smartphone app, and voice command integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, LATCH system, crumple zones, side-door guard beams, and an energy-absorbing steering column. The tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert was a standout feature. Nissan Safety Shield 360 provided intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-view camera, and more. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.