Compare the2022 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2022 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Jetta GLI has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Altima doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Jetta GLI has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Altima’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Jetta GLI has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Altima.

Both the Jetta GLI and the Altima have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	Jetta GLI	Altima
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	41.6%	54%
Neck Stress	152 lbs.	280 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	308/63 lbs.	260/280 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is safer than the Nissan Altima:

	Jetta GLI	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	101	187
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.4 inches
Hip Force	317 lbs.	511 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	627 lbs.	769 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Jetta GLI comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Altima’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Jetta GLI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Altima’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Jetta GLI for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Altima.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Altima’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 46 more horsepower (228 vs. 182) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 178) than the Altima’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Jetta GLI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (228 vs. 188) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 180) than the Altima’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is faster than the Nissan Altima 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	Jetta GLI	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	7.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.8 sec	19.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	8.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	126 MPH	119 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta GLI gets better mileage than the Altima:

			MPG
Jetta GLI
FWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/37 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
Altima
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
AWD	Auto	SR/Platinum 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/35 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Jetta GLI Auto’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Altima doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Jetta GLI’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Altima:

	Jetta GLI	Altima
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.02 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		11.5 inches

The Jetta GLI’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Altima are solid, not vented.

The Jetta GLI stops much shorter than the Altima:

	Jetta GLI	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Jetta GLI has larger tires than the Altima (225/45R18 vs. 215/60R16).

The Jetta GLI’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Altima S’ standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Jetta GLI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S.

Suspension and Handling

The Jetta GLI has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Altima’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the Altima Platinum pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The Jetta GLI is 6 inches shorter than the Altima, making the Jetta GLI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Jetta GLI Autobahn is quieter than the Altima SR AWD (42 vs. 45 dB).

Passenger Space

The Jetta GLI has .3 inches more rear headroom and 2.2 inches more rear legroom than the Altima.

Ergonomics

The Jetta GLI’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Altima’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Jetta GLI and the Altima have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Jetta GLI is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Altima prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Jetta GLI’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Altima’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Altima SL/Platinum’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The Jetta GLI’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Altima’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Jetta GLI’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Altima’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Jetta GLI has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Altima doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Jetta GLI’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Altima and aren’t offered on the Altima S.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Jetta GLI keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Altima doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Jetta GLI has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Altima SL/Platinum.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Altima doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

The Jetta GLI will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Jetta GLI will retain 49.8% to 51.08% of its original price after five years, while the Altima only retains 43.64% to 47.47%.

Recommendations

The Jetta GLI was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 2 years. The Altima has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.