Datsun GO A

The Datsun GO is a compact hatchback designed to cater to the needs of first-time car buyers in India. It features a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine that produces 68PS in the manual transmission and 77PS in the CVT variant, along with 104Nm of torque. The car boasts a spacious cabin with a 265-litre boot, making it suitable for family use. The updated model includes significant safety enhancements such as dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors. The suspension has been improved to handle Indian road conditions better, and the car now has a 10mm increase in ground clearance to 180mm. While it has some minor drawbacks like lack of underbody insulation and certain feature omissions, the Datsun GO remains a strong contender in its segment with its competitive pricing, improved safety, and enhanced features.

The Datsun GO has undergone significant improvements since its initial launch, making it a more compelling option in the entry-level hatchback segment. The updated model addresses previous concerns, particularly in terms of safety, with the addition of dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, and rear parking sensors as standard features. The car also boasts a more robust structure to meet upcoming crash test norms in India. While it still lacks some basic features like a daynight IRVM and lane change indicators, the GO offers a spacious and airy cabin, a 265-litre boot, and improved NVH levels. The power bump from the 1.2-litre petrol engine, now producing 77PS for the CVT variant, enhances its performance, although the added weight affects its drivability slightly. Overall, the Datsun GO is a competitive choice for first-time car buyers, offering a balance of safety, performance, and value.

Datsun India has announced a price hike for the Datsun GO and GO+ hatchbacks, effective immediately. The prices will increase by 5%, with the GO range seeing an increase of Rs. 16,600-26,000 and the GO+ range seeing an increase of Rs. 19,000-30,000, depending on the variant. This hike is attributed to increased costs, particularly focusing on safety features.

The GO and GO+ were eventually discontinued in India, with the last recorded prices ranging from Rs. 3.99 lakhs to Rs. 6.56 lakhs (ex-showroom). The discontinuation marked the end of an era for these models in the Indian market.

In 2019, Datsun updated the GO with additional safety features such as ABS across all variants and a driver-side airbag on the top trim. This was a step towards addressing the safety concerns raised earlier. I believe these updates were essential for enhancing customer trust.

The Datsun GO and GO+ facelifts, launched in 2018, received significant cosmetic upgrades, including a new hexagonal black grille, sweptback headlamps, and LED daytime running lights. The cars also got new 14-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and improved interior features like power windows and a mobile docking system. I think these updates made the GO and GO+ more competitive in the Indian market.

Datsun India revealed the facelifted versions of the GO and GO+ in 2018, with pre-bookings starting at Rs. 11,000. The updated models were set to launch on October 10, 2018, and were expected to include a touchscreen infotainment system for the top-end variant. This was a major upgrade for the GO range since its introduction in 2013.

The Datsun GO is priced competitively in the Indian market. The ex-showroom prices start around Rs 4.5 lakh for the base variant and go up to around Rs 6.5 lakh for the top-spec T(O) variant. On-road prices, including taxes and other costs, can range from approximately Rs 5.2 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh, depending on the location and additional features chosen. This pricing makes the Datsun GO an attractive option for those looking for an affordable yet feature-packed entry-level hatchback. However, its important to note that prices can vary slightly based on regional taxes and dealer-specific offers.

The Datsun GO offers respectable fuel efficiency, with claimed mileage figures of 19.83 kmpl for the manual transmission and slightly lower for the CVT variant. In real-world conditions, users have reported mileage ranging from 15 to 17 kmpl, which is reasonable given the cars performance and segment. This makes the GO a viable choice for those concerned about running costs, especially for urban commutes.