2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2020 Nissan Sentra
When we compare the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta's and the 2020 Nissan Sentra's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The 2020 Nissan Sentra has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta's and the 2020 Nissan Sentra's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is a better car than the 2020 Nissan Sentra.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2020 Nissan Sentra Pricing
A used 2021 Volkswagen Jetta ranges from $17,476 to $25,748 while a used 2020 Nissan Sentra is priced between $16,988 to $23,988.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2020 Nissan Sentra Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta loses 43.2 percent of its value and the 2020 Nissan Sentra loses 44.1 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta retains 0.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2020 Nissan Sentra.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2020 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.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2020 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 2021 Volkswagen Jetta’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the 2020 Nissan Sentra base engine makes 149 horsepower. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 554 miles. The Sentra is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 484 miles. This gives the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2020 Nissan Sentra. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are compact cars, the 2020 Nissan Sentra has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the area of rear head room. The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta and 2020 Nissan Sentra are comparable in regards to rear leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has higher safety ratings than the 2020 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:
17476 - 25748
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.43236
Pricing
New Asking Price:
-
Used Asking Price:
16988 - 23988
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
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels
R-Line, S, SE, SEL, SEL Premium
2020 Nissan Sentra Trim Levels
S, SR, SV
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
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:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
149 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
30 / 41 / 34
Range (city/hwy):
405 / 554 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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):
29 / 39 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
360 / 484 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Available
Apple Car Play:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
14.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
44 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
96.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2895 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
57.6 inches
Length:
185.1 inches
Wheelbase:
105.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3047 lbs
Width:
71.5 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
106.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/55R16