Nissan Sentra vs. Volkswagen Jetta
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan Sentra and Volkswagen Jetta contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Nissan Sentra and the Volkswagen Jetta.
When comparing the Nissan Sentra's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Sentra has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Sentra's and the Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2025 Nissan Sentra ranges from $18,991 to $26,042 while a used 2025 Volkswagen Jetta is priced between $19,997 to $27,587. For a new model, the Nissan Sentra's price is between $21,426 and $28,113, with the Volkswagen Jetta priced between $22,865 and $30,186.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Sentra loses 40.7 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Jetta loses 40.2 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Jetta retains 0.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Sentra.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Nissan Sentra is 7.9 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Jetta's quality rating is 8.0 out of 10. This results in the Nissan Sentra being ranked 12 out of 31 Best Small Cars and the Volkswagen Jetta being ranked 9 out of 31.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Nissan Sentra is 7.3 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Jetta the reliability rating is 7.5 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 Nissan Sentra’s base engine makes 149 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Jetta base engine makes 158 horsepower. The Sentra is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 496 miles. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 499 miles.This gives the Nissan Sentra the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volkswagen Jetta the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the 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 Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of rear head room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Nissan Sentra and the Volkswagen Jetta have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
21426 - 28113
Starting MSRP:
21590
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
22865 - 30186
Starting MSRP:
22995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22070
Price Range:
18991 - 26042
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
23083
Price Range:
19997 - 27587
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
8708
Depreciation %:
0.40335587
Resale Value $:
12882
Residual Value %:
0.59664413
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.3979908
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.31796157 - 0.42854561
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
9380
Depreciation %:
0.40791786
Resale Value $:
13615
Residual Value %:
0.59208214
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.3979908
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.31796157 - 0.42854561
Nissan Sentra Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Sentra
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
8.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.026
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.067
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.78710396149456
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.0292701540362343
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Nissan Sentra Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 31Ranking
23 out of / 31Volkswagen Jetta Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 10Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
7 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 31Ranking
10 out of / 31Ranking
19 out of / 31Ranking
21 out of / 31Ranking
22 out of / 31Ranking
27 out of / 31Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Nissan Sentra Trim Levels
S, SR, SV
Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels
S, SE, SEL, Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
149 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
146 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
158 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
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):
30 / 40 / 34
Range (city/hwy):
372 / 496 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 39 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
371 / 499 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.4 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3036 lbs
Width:
71.5 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
182.9 inches
Wheelbase:
106.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3012 lbs
Width:
80.2 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
186.5 inches
Wheelbase:
105.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Gray
Gun Metallic
White
Fresh Powder
Blue
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
White
Pure White
Blue
Monterey Blue Pearl
Silver
Pyrite Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Storm Gray
