2019 Datsun Go and Go Plus Facelift Review, First Drive

Enchanting –

• Well Designed Small Car
• Space and safety kit and value for money offering
• Good performance and fuel efficiency combination
• Easy to drive and feature loaded

Unsatisfying –

• Engine could be more free reving
• No Automatic Yet.

Datsun has been trying hard to make sure it gains significant market share in the country where value is loved, small cars are appreciated and there enormous potential to grow ahead and target the market leader. They did in 2014 with the Datsun Go and later the Go Plus. The new of these cars not clearing the safety test and being a bit ordinary when it comes to the interior. Datsun had the potential to strike the right cord with customers if everything in the car was right by small car standards. This time they have done it. Raft of changes inside out and perceived notion of quality has improved all around. The Datsun Go and Go Plus have some serious poke to go against rivals.

Outside and inside.

The design continues to be impressive with a well-designed grille, chunky head and tail-lamps. The bumper also has been changed, top-end variant houses DRL which lift the quality perception of the car. The paint quality is quite good on the top-end trim. Carbon fibre finish around DRL makes it look high-quality and sporty. The 14-inch diamond cut alloy wheels also look quite good. Overall, the design has had some tweaks and they make the car distinct and a step above its segment when it comes to offering the entire package.

Interior gains all black theme with faux carbon fibre fitment can be seen around the centre console, the handbrake arae which is also revised and a normal unit instead of a pullback unit. The gear lever is mounted on the top. There is USB, AUX and 12V charger on offer. Space in terms of leg, knee and headroom is sufficient, but shoulder room is limited. Boot space at 265 litres is segment best.

The infotainment system is the highlight as the touch capacitive is really good, the sound system is performing well for this segment. It gets a touch screen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto which is a segment first and a unique offering which ups the value quotient.

Feature list includes. Follow Me Home Headlamp, Remote Keyless Entry, Analogue Tachometer ,Trip computer MID, 3D Graph Blue ring ,7″ Capacitive Touchscreen, Google Map Navigation, SMS, WhatsApp, & Email Read and Reply, Apple Car Play/ Android Auto, Voice Recognition, HD Video Playback, Bluetooth Connectivity, Radio, 2 Front Speakers- USB & Aux-in Connectivity, Electric operated Power steering, Air Conditioning, Tropical AC with heater, Power Windows (Front), Power Windows (Rear), DR side Power Window control for FR & RR, Auto Down (Driver Only).

Outside Mirrors: Electrically Adjustable, Wiper & Washer Front Intermittent, Rear Wiper & washer, Tinted Glass, Power Outlet, Battery Saver, Gear Shift Indicator, Digital Clock Dual Tripmeter, Average vehicle speed, Central Locking, Passenger Airbag, Driver Airbag, Engine Immobilizer, Rear Parking Assist sensors and ABS + EBD + Brake Assist are on offer. In terms of safety, adjustable headrest continues to be amiss.

The Drive

Get inside and you greeted by an airy cabin, upright driving position with seats just about ok for bigger driver and passenger in terms of comfort. The engine is the same 1.2 lire 3-cylinder motor making 68 PS of power and 104 Nm of torque. The NVH levels are good at all speeds with minor noises coming in the cabin from the engine. Despite the fact that there is no firewall protection or sound deadening behind the engine.

Wind and road noise are also well controlled now due to some additional sound deadening material. At idling, there are a bit of vibration that can be felt but minuscule. Driveability is excellent and performance is quite good too. The gearbox can be a bit notchy but the clutch is light and easy to use. The 13.3 seconds to 100 km/hr and 19.8 km/l mileage figure is very impressive for this car as performance and fuel economy go hand in hand rather well.

Brakes are good, backed by ABS, they don’t lock. The pedal bite could have been better though. Body roll is present and we recommend to upgrade its tyres for a much better stability while cornering. Straight line stability is hardly any issue even at 130 km/hr which we saw in a very long empty stretch on the ECR road of Chennai, towards Pondicherry. Steering feedback is good, it is light in the city for manoeuvring. We wish lock to lock ratio was shorter for better ease of use and quick turn-ins. Tyres did hold up rather well and insulation and grip from them were good enough.

2019 Datsun Go and Go Plus Facelift Review, Verdict

Overall, the Datsun was a great car on the face of it earlier, but was shallow to a certaint extent on the inside. Now, everything is taken care of. Right from safety to perceived quality and most importantly feature list. All of this and a price increase by a small margin makes it more value than ever. Japanese reliability and fuel economy consistency which only one of its peer can provide out of the other two means Datsun is ready to take on the market. Our default choice would be this car in this segment regardless of any of its peer, its is clearly the best choice in the segment in every way.