2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

2021 Nissan Sentra

#15 in Compact Cars

2021 Volkswagen Jetta

#23 in Compact Cars

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Select style

S CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sentra S CVT	29	39	$18,495	$19,460
Sentra SR CVT	28	37	$20,713	$21,800
Sentra SV CVT	29	39	$19,499	$20,520

Select style

R-Line Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Jetta R-Line Automatic	29	39	$22,651	$23,595
Jetta R-Line Manual	30	41	$21,883	$22,795
Jetta S Automatic	29	39	$19,003	$19,795
Jetta S Manual	30	41	$18,235	$18,995
Jetta SE Automatic	29	39	$21,979	$22,895
Jetta SEL Automatic	29	39	$24,715	$25,745
Jetta SEL Premium Automatic	29	39	$26,924	$28,045
Jetta GLI Automaticbahn DSG	24	35	$30,283	$31,545
Jetta GLI Automaticbahn Manual	24	33	$29,515	$30,745
Jetta GLI S DSG	24	35	$26,059	$27,145
Jetta GLI S Manual	24	33	$25,291	$26,345

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$18,495

$22,651

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$19,460

$23,595

Monthly Payment Estimate

$324 / month

$393 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.2

Read Our Full Review

5.7

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Nissan Sentra has a sleek shape and a more refined ride, which makes it a better value than in the past.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is a no-frills compact with good value. Saving money never goes out of style.

TCC Likes

Good steering feel
Stronger powertrain
Standard active safety features

Efficient powertrain
Relatively good value
Spacious rear seat

TCC Dislikes

Premium Package too expensive...
...For heated seats and steering wheel
CVT response from a stop

…but it’s a little plain
Pokey base powertrain
No standard automatic braking

Fuel Economy

City

29 mpg

Highway

39 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Front Hip Room (in)

53.5

Passenger Volume (ft³)

94.7

Second Leg Room (in)

34.7

37.4

Front Head Room (in)

38.9

38.5

Second Hip Room (in)

53.3

Front Shoulder Room (in)

56.4

55.9

Passenger Capacity

Second Head Room (in)

36.7

37.2

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.5

Front Leg Room (in)

41.1

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.5

70.8

Track Width, Front (in)

62.6

60.7

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.8

5.6

Length, Overall (in)

182.7

185.1

Height, Overall (in)

56.9

57.4

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.8

60.4

Wheelbase (in)

106.8

105.7

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

14.3

14.1

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.5

Brake Type

Front Disc/Rear Drum

4-Wheel Disc

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.8

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

12.4

13.2

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.1

36.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P205/60HR16

P205/55HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P205/60HR16

P205/55HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3036

2965

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 X 6.5

17 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 X 6.5

17 X 7

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

140

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

540

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

146 @ 4400

184 @ 1400

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0 L/122

1.4 L/85

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

149 @ 6400

147 @ 5000

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Sequential MPI

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

2.63 - 0.38

5.07

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

5.10

3.32

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

1.80

4.00

Trans Order Code

Trans Description Cont.

CVT w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.95

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.23

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.97

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.47

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.81

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Summary

Vehicle Name

Nissan Sentra

Volkswagen Jetta

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.3

5.4

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2021 Nissan Sentra

2021 Sentra features automatic emergency braking
Lease: From $189 per month for 36 months
Rebates: No special offers this month, which is unusual
Finance: From 0% APR for 36 months

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2021 Volkswagen Jetta

2021 Jetta includes a better infotainment system
Leases: From $179 per month for 39 months
Rebates: Special offers for military, first responders and new college grads
Financing: From 0% APR for 60 months

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