2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a continuation of the iconic hot hatch lineage that began with the 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI, was a standout in its class. This seventh-generation model, set to be replaced by the 2022 eighth-generation GTI, shared its basic structure with the regular Golf but featured subtle enhancements that elevated its performance. The GTI's exterior was marked by small red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip connecting the headlights, and painted brake calipers visible through 18-inch alloy wheels. The lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and gloss black accents on the side mirrors and rear spoiler added to its sporty appeal.

Inside, the GTI built on the already impressive Golf interior with sporty touches like red ambient lighting, a black headliner, and a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching. The instrument cluster was unique to the GTI, and the heated front sport seats came in Clark plaid cloth for the S trim and leather for the SE and Autobahn trims. The overall quality of materials and craftsmanship was high, making the GTI feel premium inside and out.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, had evolved significantly from its origins as a sub-compact sedan in 1982. The latest model featured an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. The expressive headlights and a range of vibrant paint colors, including two-tone options for the SR trim, gave the Sentra a modern and dynamic look. The bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches added to its sporty appearance.

Inside, the Sentra's layered dash and 8-inch infotainment touchscreen (standard on SR) were well-placed, and the textured plastic on the center console and doors was a significant improvement over past models. The flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel added a sporty touch, and the second row offered ample space for two passengers. The trunk provided 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility. The Sentra's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI was all about performance, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI's handling was a major attraction, with four-wheel independent suspension, variable-ratio steering, and Golf R front brakes. The Autobahn model came with DCC adaptive damping, enhancing its performance on the right roads. However, the performance-oriented setup resulted in a rough ride on ordinary roads. The GTI offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, with the latter being an $800 option. Fuel economy was respectable, with the manual transmission achieving 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined, and the dual-clutch automatic slightly better at 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The Sentra's front-wheel-drive setup with an Xtronic CVT provided adequate performance for commuting and city driving. Weighing between 3,036 and 3,084 pounds, the Sentra was relatively lightweight, contributing to its fuel efficiency of 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for SR models. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its well-sorted CVT, four-wheel independent suspension, and dual-pinion electric steering, offering tidy road manners and almost fun cornering.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in form and function, with its compact hatchback design offering practicality and versatility. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase, the GTI measured 168.0 inches in length, 70.8 inches in width, and 57.8 inches in height. It provided 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The GTI's dimensions and sharp steering made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and the cabin featured clever storage options, including large front door pockets and well-sized cupholders. The mechanical handbrake, while a bit of a throwback, added to the GTI's charm.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with well-placed features and a traditional gear selector lever. The center stack housed two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port, along with a small cubby for minimizing clutter. The Sentra's Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided long-ride comfort, and the available six-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-way power lumbar added to the convenience. The Sentra's trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility. The big door pockets and roomy covered storage beneath the center armrest further enhanced the Sentra's practicality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a standard analog gauge cluster, with a configurable driver information screen between the speedometer and tachometer. The GTI's MIB touchscreen infotainment system was standard across all trims, with the S model using the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch screen, and the SE and Autobahn models getting the MIB3 system with an 8-inch screen and navigation. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink were standard, along with Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio. The SE model included a three-month trial to SiriusXM with 360L. Volkswagen Car-Net offered additional features like Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot portals, with Alexa integration for added convenience. Standard smart technology included LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights, with adaptive front lighting and dynamic cornering lights available on higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's standard audio system included AM/FM/USB with four speakers in the S trim, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM capability in SV and SR trims. An optional premium Bose system with eight speakers was available in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free capabilities. The S trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SV and SR trims got an 8-inch touchscreen. NissanConnect services offered navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app. Alexa and Google Assistant integration allowed for voice commands and destination searches from home, adding to the Sentra's tech appeal.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash-test categories, with "Acceptable" ratings for small overlap front; passenger side, and LED headlights. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, park assist, and high-beam control. The GTI's sharp handling also contributed to its safety by potentially avoiding collisions.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including dual-stage supplemental front airbags, side-impact airbags, knee airbags, and curtain side-impact airbags. The tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert was a standout feature, making tire maintenance easier. The Sentra's driver assistance features (Nissan Safety Shield 360) included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear sonar system. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.