2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

2021 Nissan Sentra

#18 in Compact Cars

2021 Volkswagen Jetta

#24 in Compact Cars

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Select style

S CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sentra S CVT	29	39	$18,447	$19,410
Sentra SR CVT	28	37	$20,665	$21,750
Sentra SV CVT	29	39	$19,451	$20,470

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

$18,447

$22,651

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$19,410

$23,595

Monthly Payment Estimate

$324 / month

$393 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.0

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

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.5

Front Leg Room (in)

41.1

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

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

56.9

57.4

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.8

60.4

Wheelbase (in)

106.8

105.7

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

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

14.3

14.1

Brakes

Brake Type

Front Disc/Rear Drum

4-Wheel Disc

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.5

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.8

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

Rear Tire Size

P205/60HR16

P205/55HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P205/60HR16

P205/55HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3036

2965

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 X 6.5

17 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear 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

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Sequential MPI

Gasoline Direct Injection

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

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Order Code

Trans Description Cont.

CVT w/OD

Automatic w/OD

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

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

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.95

Summary

Body Style

Sedan

Vehicle Name

Nissan Sentra

Volkswagen Jetta

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Torsion Beam

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 is here; 2020s still available
Lease: From $169 per month for 36 months
Rebates: Up to $1,000 cash back
Finance: From 0% APR for 60 months + $500

Get Your Price

2021 Volkswagen Jetta

2021 Jetta is here; 2020s still available
Leases: From $189 per month for 39 months
Rebates: Up to $1,000 in unadvertised savings
Financing: From 0% APR for 72 months

Get Your Price

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