2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence with its slightly longer and wider dimensions compared to its predecessor. The new design featured a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, offering a more dramatic look than the previous generation's staid appearance. Inside, the cabin mirrored the exterior's angular design language, providing a spacious and attractive environment with a premium feel, despite not all surfaces being soft-touch. The Jetta's trims ranged from the base S to the SEL Premium, with the base S trim surprisingly well-equipped, including features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, particularly in the Platinum trim, showcased a clean and contemporary design with ergonomic simplicity. Equipped with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, the Altima's styling was refined, though some details like the door handle placement and rear roof pillar trim were questionable. Inside, the Altima offered a comfortable and well-organized cabin with a high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system and clearly legible climate controls. The materials used were on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of elegance. However, the color options were limited to black or gray.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than the previous model, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the Jetta to handle both city and highway driving with ease, offering smooth acceleration and impressive fuel efficiency of 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined. The steering was well-weighted and precise, providing a blend of smooth and sporty handling, while the ride quality remained soft over rough roads.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT and optional AWD. The test car featured the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the VC-Turbo, delivering up to 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. This engine provided a satisfying driving experience with quick and responsive handling, aided by technologies like Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control. The CVT was designed to mimic a traditional automatic, though it occasionally produced sudden power surges. The Altima's fuel economy was rated at 29 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed an average of 26.2 mpg.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats suitable for long trips, with adequate rear-seat space despite a slight reduction in legroom. Trunk space was reduced to 14.1 cubic feet, but remained average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for easier access, and the shifter moved back to allow for a larger center tray. The Jetta's blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials emphasized practicality and ease of use.

The 2020 Nissan Altima featured NASA-inspired seats for superior comfort, though it lacked a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats. In cold climates, the Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter. The cabin provided substantial storage space, though it lacked a wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle for convenience.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims like the SEL and SEL Premium included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that could project navigation information. This feature allowed drivers to personalize the information displayed, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Nissan Altima boasted an 8-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included satellite radio, a navigation system with door-to-door directions, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The connected services technology offered various plans, including features like automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, the voice recognition technology required specific commands, which could be improved for a more natural interaction.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It also featured an automatic post-collision braking system. Driver-assist systems like blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision avoidance were standard on higher trims and optional on the base S. The SEL and SEL Premium trims included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2020 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking standard on the base S trim. Higher trims offered additional features like pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid, was available but proved challenging to trust during testing. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with specific headlights.