2008 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2008 Nissan Sentra
In comparing the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta's and the 2008 Nissan Sentra's specifications and ratings, the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. The 2008 Nissan Sentra has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta's and the 2008 Nissan Sentra's specifications and ratings, the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is a better car than the 2008 Nissan Sentra.
2008 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2008 Nissan Sentra Pricing
A used 2008 Volkswagen Jetta ranges from $2,970 to $8,958 while a used 2008 Nissan Sentra is priced between $3,412 to $8,991.
2008 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2008 Nissan Sentra Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta loses 43.2 percent of its value and the 2008 Nissan Sentra loses 44.1 percent of its value. This means the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta retains 0.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2008 Nissan Sentra.
2008 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2008 Nissan Sentra Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Volkswagen Jetta is 8.6 out of 10 while the Nissan Sentra's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the Volkswagen Jetta being ranked 9 out of 26 Best Compact Cars and the Nissan Sentra being ranked 13 out of 26. Out of 43 Best Small Cars, the Volkswagen Jetta is ranked 11 and the Nissan Sentra is ranked 18.
2008 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2008 Nissan Sentra Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Volkswagen Jetta is 8.2 out of 10. For the Nissan Sentra the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Jetta a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Nissan Sentra.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta’s base engine makes 170 horsepower, and the 2008 Nissan Sentra base engine makes 140 horsepower. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 421 miles. The Sentra is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 479 miles. This gives the 2008 Nissan Sentra the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta. Both models use gasoline.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta has higher safety ratings than the 2008 Nissan Sentra, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.55 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
2970 - 8958
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.43236
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
3412 - 8991
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.441364
Volkswagen Jetta Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.584823 / 10
Reliability:
8.15447 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Nissan Sentra Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.162443 / 10
Reliability:
7.88733 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
9.1 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 18Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
15 out of / 26Ranking
20 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 26Ranking
21 out of / 26Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
34 out of / 43Ranking
38 out of / 43Nissan Sentra Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
4 out of / 18Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 12Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
12 out of / 18Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 26Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
19 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 26Ranking
24 out of / 26Ranking
28 out of / 43Ranking
41 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2008 Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels
S, S PZEV, SE, SE PZEV, SEL, SEL PZEV, Wolfsburg Edition, Wolfsburg Edition PZEV
2008 Nissan Sentra Trim Levels
2.0, 2.0 S, 2.0 SL, SE-R, SE-R Spec V
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.55 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 5700 rpm
Torque:
177 foot-lbs @ 4250 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
140 hp @ 5100 rpm
Torque:
147 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.048 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
5
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
305 / 421 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
363 / 479 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple Car Play:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Keyless Entry:
Available
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple Car Play:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Equipment
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
91.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3230 lbs
Width:
70.1 inches
Height:
57.4 inches
Length:
179.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2925 lbs
Width:
70.5 inches
Height:
59.5 inches
Length:
179.8 inches
Wheelbase:
105.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
205/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/60R15