2021 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer and wider body, maintaining the same height. Its design was inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, featuring a wide, angular grille that added a dramatic flair to its appearance. Inside, the Jetta continued this angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional, with a premium feel thanks to its comfortable seats and well-thought-out layout. The Jetta offered three trim levels: Comfortline, Highline, and Execline, each providing a range of features from heated seats and mirrors to a digital instrument cluster and a premium audio system.

The 2021 Nissan Altima, on the other hand, showcased a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille and sleek, aerodynamic profile. Its design was modern yet slightly old-fashioned due to its stance, but it was complemented by standard LED lighting and alloy wheels. The Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. Inside, the Altima featured an uncluttered dashboard with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, and as you moved up the trim levels, the interior materials improved significantly. The Altima's cabin was spacious, with ample storage and convenience features, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. This transmission allowed the Jetta to deliver power efficiently across a range of speeds, making it suitable for both city and highway driving. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, providing a smooth and sporty driving experience. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 L/100 km combined and the automatic 7.1 L/100 km combined.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Altima featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with direct gasoline injection, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The Altima's Xtronic CVT provided a smooth driving experience, and the standard all-wheel drive was a significant advantage in Canadian conditions. The AWD system was front-wheel biased but could send up to 50% of the torque to the rear wheels when needed. Fuel consumption ratings were 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined for the base model. The Altima's suspension and steering setup offered decent feedback and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats suitable for long trips, with adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk space was 399 litres, which was average for its class. The interior layout was practical, with a well-placed touchscreen and a larger centre tray for storage. The Jetta's blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials made it user-friendly and functional.

The 2021 Nissan Altima boasted Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, which were praised for their comfort on long drives. The front cabin was equipped with ample storage options, including a large glovebox, centre console storage, and door pockets. The rear seats were spacious, with enough room for two adults comfortably, and the trunk offered 436 litres of space. The Altima's interior was designed with convenience in mind, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The Execline trim offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that could project navigation and other information directly onto a 10.25-inch screen.

The 2021 Nissan Altima included a range of standard tech features, such as Nissan Intelligent Key keyless entry, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and a rear-view camera. All models came with an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio, a Bose audio system, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, including front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to its headlights.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of active and passive safety features standard on all models. This included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot warning. The Platinum grade offered ProPilot Assist, which helped with highway driving. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS.