In the highly competitive compact sedan class, the 2022 Nissan Sentra competes against the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, and each one has its own advantages. Let’s compare them.

2022 Nissan Sentra

2022 Nissan Sentra starting price: $ 19,510 | Price yours or Advertisements in your area

Above average: Comfortable cabin; good standard equipment; comfortable driving experience.

Below average: Power; an engine selection; only available as a limousine; no AWD option; thick rear pillars obstruct the view to the outside.

Consensus: The 2022 Nissan Sentra, a stylish compact sedan, is comfortable and well equipped, with good standard driver assistance functions. There is only one engine and the Sentra is not particularly fun to drive.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta

2022 Volkswagen Jetta starting price: $ 20,195 | Price yours or Advertisements in your area

Above average: New 1.5-liter base engine; updated exterior and interior; spacious; IQ.Drive security suite available; sporty GLI model.

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

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

Sentra vs. Jetta: Compact sedan confrontation

Nissan Sentra

In the world of compact sedans, the 2022 Nissan Sentra is a bit of a follower. It’s not that there is anything wrong with the Sentra, which is comfortable and perfectly enjoyable. But the segment is fierce and there are many better options.

The biggest disadvantage is the sole motor choice: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with only 149 hp and which drives the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The performance is sufficient, but that’s about it. The ride is comfortable and resilient, however, as the Sentra has sophisticated rear suspension.

Inside it is better with a spacious and comfortable cabin. There is ample legroom and the materials are good, with the base fabric upholstery ranging all the way to simulated or real leather in the higher moldings. The trunk is also respectable. A thick rear pillar obstructs the view to the rear, although the blind spot monitoring is standard.

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

Volkswagen Jetta

While we only got the chance 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 in the past. The ride quality is solid, and at everyday speeds the Jetta is responsive and comfortable on the road.

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

We really like the new DCC Adaptive Suspension, which is standard on the Jetta GLI (the sportier version). It helps to adapt the GLI to different road conditions and offers the driver selectable modes from comfortable to sporty.

The interior of the Jetta offers space for up to five passengers. VW’s 8-inch digital instrument package was made standard for 2022. If you want the large 10-inch digital displays, they come with leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging and a BeatsAudio sound system on the Jetta GLE model. Other Jetta changes for 2022 include updated fabric seats and contrasting stitching on all armrests and the gear lever. The new equipment of the Jetta Sport also gets a black headliner.

If you like things a little edgier, you can reach for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, which in our opinion is sportier than an Audi A3, but cheaper than the S3. He is also getting a new steering wheel with touch controls and perforated leather seats with a red pad. The GLI continues with the 10-inch digital displays, the 6-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat and the automatic air conditioning.

similarities

Front wheel drive; 4 cylinder engines; Trunk.

2022 Nissan Sentra benefits

Starting price; comfortable, weightless front seats; longer warranty on the drive train.

2022 Volkswagen Jetta advantages

Better fuel economy; sportier options; more interior space.

Which one is right for me?

While it’s not that fun to drive, the 2022 Nissan Sentra is roomy, comfortable, and has a large trunk for your belongings. It also has an interior that is respectable even with the basics, and some of the best seats in the business.

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

Are you ready to buy a Nissan Sentra or Volkswagen Jetta? Buy one now on sale near you

	2022 Nissan Sentra	2022 Volkswagen Jetta
Popular powertrains
engine	2.0 liter I4	1.5 liter row 4
Horsepower	149 hp at 6,400 rpm	158 hp at 5,500 rpm
Torque	146 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm	184 hp at 1,750 rpm
transmission	CVT	8-speed automatic
Fuel consumption	33 mpg (29 city / 39 hwy)	34 mpg (29 city / 43 hwy)
Also available	n / A	2.0-liter turbo I4; 6-speed manual transmission
Specifications
Basic guarantee	3 years / 36,000 miles	4 years / 50,000 miles
Powertrain Guarantee	5 years / 60,000 miles	4 years / 50,000 miles
Overall NHTSA safety assessment	5 Stars	n / A
Max. Seating capacity	5	5
wheelbase	106.8 in	105.7 in
overall length	182.7 in	186.5 in
broad	71.5 in	70.8 in
height	56.9 in	57.7 in
Turning diameter	38.1 feet	36.7 feet
Headroom at the front	38.9 in	38.5 in
Rear headroom	36.7 in	37.2 in
Front legroom	44.0 in	41.1 in
Rear legroom	37.4 in	37.4 in
Shoulder room, front	56.4 in	55.9 in
Shoulder room, back	54.5 in	54.0 in
EPA passenger volume	96.0 cubic feet	94.7 cubic feet
EPA freight volume	14.3 cubic feet	14.4 cubic feet