2022 Nissan Sentra vs. 2022 Volkswagen Jetta Comparison

In the highly competitive compact sedan class, the 2022 Nissan Sentra goes up against the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, and each offers its own merits. Let’s compare them.

2022 Nissan Sentra

2022 Nissan Sentra Starting Price: $19,510 | Price yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Comfortable cabin; good standard equipment; pleasant driving experience. 

Below Average: Power; one engine choice; only available in sedan form; no AWD option; thick rear pillars impede outward vision.

Consensus: A stylish compact sedan, the 2022 Nissan Sentra is comfortable and well-equipped, with good standard driver assistance features. Only a single engine choice is available, and the Sentra isn’t terribly fun to drive.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Starting Price: $20,195 | Price yours or View listings near you

Above Average: New 1.5-liter base engine; updated exterior and interior; roomy; IQ.Drive safety suite available; sporty GLI model.

Below Average: No hybrid or all-wheel drive options.

Consensus: The 2022 Jetta offers a refreshed look and feel for VW’s popular sedan, and for this model year, it’s like the Jetta has gone to finishing school.

Sentra vs. Jetta: Compact Sedan Face-Off

Nissan Sentra

In the world of compact sedans, the 2022 Nissan Sentra is a bit of an also-ran. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the Sentra, which is comfortable and perfectly pleasant. But the segment is a fierce one, and many better choices are available.

The biggest drawback is the sole engine choice: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder making a mere 149 horsepower and driving the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Power is adequate, but that’s about it. The ride is comfortable and compliant, however, with the Sentra boasting a sophisticated rear suspension.

Things are better inside, with a roomy and comfortable cabin. The legroom is ample and materials are good, with base cloth upholstery ranging up to simulated or real leather on the higher trims. Trunk space is also respectable. A thick rear pillar impedes rear visibility, although blind-spot monitoring comes standard.

Considering its under-$20,000 price point, standard features in Sentra are impressive. All trims include Nissan’s safety suite known as Safety Shield 360, which includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear automatic emergency braking. A 7-inch touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, Bluetooth, four speakers, and two USB ports. It’s worth noting that the base trim also comes with rear drum brakes, although discs are standard on the higher trims.

Volkswagen Jetta

While we’ve only had the opportunity to drive a pre-production version of the 2022 Jetta, we found it to be more refined, better looking, and a bit more grown-up than it was in the past. The ride quality is solid, and at everyday speeds, the Jetta is responsive and comfortable on the road.

The new 158-horsepower 1.5-liter base engine is quick and offers ample torque at the low end. You can opt for an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual should you want to row your own boat. The new powerplant is both more efficient and more powerful than the old 1.4-liter, boasting 43 mpg on the highway.

We really like the new DCC Adaptive Suspension that comes standard on the Jetta GLI (the sportier version). It helps adapt the GLI for varying road conditions and offers driver-selectable modes that range from comfortable to sporty.

Inside, the Jetta accommodates up to five passengers in comfort. VW’s 8-inch digital gauge package has been made standard for 2022. If you want the large 10-inch digital gauges, they come on the Jetta GLE model, along with leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, and a BeatsAudio sound system. Other Jetta changes for 2022 include updated cloth seats and contrast stitching on all the armrests and the shifter. The new Jetta Sport trim also gets a black headliner.

If you want something a bit more edgy you can step up to the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI which is, in our opinion, sportier than an Audi A3 yet more affordable than the S3. It also gets a new steering wheel with touch controls plus perforated leather seating surfaces with a red underlay. The GLI continues with the 10-inch digital gauges, 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and automatic climate control.

Similarities

Front-wheel drive; 4-cylinder engines; trunk space.

2022 Nissan Sentra Advantages

Starting price; comfortable zero-gravity front seats; longer powertrain warranty.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Advantages

Better fuel economy; more sporty options; more interior room.

Which One is Right for Me?

While it’s not as fun to drive, the 2022 Nissan Sentra is roomy, comfortable, and has a good-sized trunk for your stuff. It also has an interior that’s respectable even in base trim and some of the best seats in the business.

With a spacious cabin, more base power, and better driving dynamics, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta remains true to its German roots. It also delivers more than 40 mpg on the highway.

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