2016 Volkswagen Jetta vs Nissan Altima Comparison
2016 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T Sport
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Torque: |
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Satellite radio: |
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Heated/Cooled seats: |
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Navigation: |
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Upholstery: |
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184 ft-lbs. @ 1500 rpm
2016 Nissan Altima SR
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Torque: |
180 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm |
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Satellite radio: |
Available on other styles |
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Heated/Cooled seats: |
Available on other styles |
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Satellite radio: |
N/A |
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Upholstery: |
Cloth |
2016 Volkswagen Jetta vs Nissan Altima
Serving Tallahassee, Valdosta, Thomasville, Quincy, Bainbridge
The mid-size sedan segment is the ultimate competitive ground, producing a lot of excellent cars all with their own unique character. A mid-size sedan is large enough that consumers expect one to do everything well. They want powerful performance, a comfortable and high-quality interior and excellent fuel economy. Two cars that constantly come up when good mid-size sedans are mentioned are the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta and Nissan Altima. Of the two, the Nissan is larger, but the Volkswagen is nimble and well-engineered. We’ve decided to compare the two cars head to head to see which one of the two is a stronger contender in the tough world of mid-size sedans.
Performance
Between the two cars, a wide variety of engines is available. The 2016 Altima comes in a 182 horsepower 2.5-liter four cylinder variety and a 3.5-liter six cylinder configuration that produces 270 horsepower. The 2016 Jetta has three turbocharged four cylinders and a hybrid model to choose from, with the smallest one producing 150 horsepower and the largest producing 210 horsepower. However, just a simple output comparison belies the differences between the cars. Both of the Altima’s engines are paired to a continuously variable transmission that is more fuel-efficient but is not nearly as responsive as Volkswagen’s dual-clutch automatic or six speed manual transmissions. The Altima is also 250 pounds heavier, giving it a more sluggish feel on the road.
Comfort and Quality
Both the 2016 Altima and the 2016 Jetta are very comfortable cars to drive or ride in, and both offer solidly well-crafted cabins. There are, however, a few differences. The Altima’s sharp roof line may look very good from the outside, but it does limit the head room for taller drivers and passengers, forcing them to tilt the seats back. The seat design is also distinct. Altima’s seats are designed with comfort for long drives in mind so they are easy on the back, but Jetta offers more bolstering and support during spirited driving. In terms of material quality, the Jetta is a little better finished, since even the high-end Altima models still have many hard plastic components that could have been replaced with soft touch materials.
Fuel Economy
As engine and electronics technology has improved, even mid-size sedans now have to offer very competitive fuel economy numbers in order to remain attractive to consumers. The 2016 Nissan Altima rates at 27 miles per gallon in the city, 39 mpg on the highway and 31 mpg combined with the 2.5-liter model and 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined with the 3.5-liter model*. The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta leads in with a 28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 33 combined for its entry level model and 24 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined for the high-powered GLI*. Taking the top award, however, is the Jetta Hybrid with 42 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway for a combined 44 miles per gallon*.
With how competitive mid-size sedans can get, choosing the right car can be hard. Both the 2016 Nissan Altima and the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta are good vehicles and either would make a solid choice. However, the 2016 Jetta has better performance, higher material quality and significantly better fuel economy than the 2016 Nissan Altima. With many more combinations to choose from, the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta can be more tailored to you needs. We invite you to our showroom at your local Capital Volkswagen dealership. Once you get behind the wheel of a Jetta, you will never want to leave.
* EPA estimated MPG may vary by transmission, trim and individual driving behavior.