2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta continued Volkswagen’s legacy as the automaker’s best-selling vehicle for the past three decades. Hindered by overall sales dips due to the pandemic and supply chain issues, the Jetta nonetheless held strong. In 2021, the Jetta and its performance-oriented sibling, the Jetta GLI, constituted over 61 percent of Volkswagen’s 101,167 U.S. car sales. By the first quarter of 2022, that figure rose to 70 percent.

For 2022, the Jetta received a mild makeover featuring a revamped engine, subtle exterior tweaks, upgraded infotainment, additional features, and the new Sport trim, replacing the former R-Line. The redesign included a new front fascia, bumper, and grille with additional chrome linings that aligned with the LED headlights. At the rear, standard LED lighting and a square bumper boosted the Jetta’s refined appearance.

Inside, the modifications were also modest but noticeable. The standard cloth seats now sported a refreshed rhombus pattern, and the premium feel was elevated with contrast stitching on all upholstery options. An 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard across the board, with a more sophisticated 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro reserved for the top-tier SEL.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima, part of its sixth generation, showcased a sportier look that evolved significantly from its more sedate early-1990s models. With its hallmark V-Motion grille, tall doors, and sharp creases, the Altima appeared modern and aggressive. The Midnight Edition package on our test vehicle brought additional visual flair with gloss black painted elements and 19-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its already dynamic appearance.

Inside, the Altima featured Zero Gravity front seats and a well-designed instrument panel with high-quality materials, giving off a premium feel, reminiscent of Nissan’s luxury division, Infiniti. However, it was noted that this premium ambiance did not extend to the lower trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a single engine option: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generating 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Volkswagen Taos, marked an increase in horsepower from the outgoing 1.4-liter turbo-four. The Jetta offered a choice between a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy was commendable, with EPA estimates of 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined for the manual transmission, while automatic models varied slightly.

On a long road trip, the Jetta averaged an impressive 46.9 highway mpg, demonstrating its efficient fuel consumption. However, the driving experience had its pitfalls. The turbocharged engine exhibited lag and surge, and the throttle response was overly sensitive. Despite various drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom), the driving dynamics remained largely unremarkable, particularly in city driving.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two engine choices: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 188 hp and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engine generating 248 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Our test car, equipped with the base 2.5-liter engine and AWD, had mediocre acceleration, with noticeable engine noise during hard acceleration. However, the Altima shone in terms of ride quality and noise suppression, owing to its refined suspension and Active Ride Control. The VC-Turbo engine, while more powerful, was not as refined and was limited to FWD variants.

Despite its compact size, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta provided ample passenger space for four adults, with a tight but doable fit for five. The interior was driver-oriented, featuring easy-to-reach buttons for climate control, audio, and seat adjustments. Storage space up front was adequate, with various compartments for small items; however, the center bin lacked a latch, which proved to be a minor inconvenience.

Cargo capacity in the Jetta was practical for a small car, offering considerable space in the trunk for daily use.

On the other hand, the 2022 Nissan Altima, as a midsize sedan, catered well to families and commuters, with enough room for four adults or five on short trips. It offered a 15.4-cubic-foot trunk, which, although not the segment leader, provided ample carrying capacity. The larger fuel tank at 16.2 gallons gave the Altima a slight edge in terms of fewer refueling stops compared to its competitors.

The Altima’s rear visibility was hampered by a high rear shelf and sloping roofline, making it challenging to see out the back. Closing the trunk also required caution to avoid crushing luggage, owing to the descending metal bar supports.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta’s technology suite saw an update, with all models now featuring a Digital Cockpit. The entry-level trims came with an 8-inch display, while the SEL enjoyed a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro with enhanced features like navigation and driver-assist system statuses.

Standard infotainment included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration via App-Connect, Bluetooth, USB-C ports, and SD card support. Higher trims brought in an 8-inch MIB3 system with navigation, wireless smartphone integration, and premium Beats Audio. Despite the intuitive features, the navigation commands proved finicky, often misunderstanding voice inputs.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Nissan Altima’s tech offerings were more varied depending on the trim. The base model featured a 5-inch multi-function information display and a 7-inch touchscreen with basic functionalities. Higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and multiple USB ports.

The premium SL trim added a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and connected services. Technological bells and whistles like noise cancellation, traffic sign recognition, and the ProPilot Assist system elevated the Altima’s appeal, particularly in terms of driver convenience and safety.

For the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, standard safety features under the IQ.Drive umbrella included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic braking. The optional Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Customization for these aids was limited, which could not be done through the Digital Cockpit.

The Jetta had yet to receive 2022 ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. Based on previous models, it held a five-star rating from NHTSA and mostly “Good” scores from IIHS, except for headlights, which received lower ratings.

The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Altima five stars for overall crash protection, and the IIHS gave it a “Top Safety Pick+” rating. With “Good” scores in crash tests and “Superior” ratings in front crash prevention, the Altima stood out in safety.