Datsun Go Plus – Expert review

Five to six years ago cars especially sedans under 4 metre was considered new concept and somehow a mystery for most of the people because they thought it couldn’t be done. In the following years it was overshadowed by sub-4 meter SUVs and crossovers like Ford EcoSport, Fiat Avventura. In 2015 we just witnessed another unique thing in the form of sub 4 meter MPV (Multi purpose vehicle); yes you heard it absolutely right a MPV in sub-4 metre segment Nissan has come up with their Datsun Go+ compact MPV.

Datsun made its Indian debut last year with Datsun go hatchback which was praised for its affordable price but during the end of 2014 story was totally different for cost-effective car manufacturer Datsun due to hatchback’s failure in NCAP crash test and was asked to withdraw it from Indian roads by NCAP. Let’s leave all that aside and come to the new offering from the Datsun to the Indian customers, ‘Go+’ MPV.

Price:

• Price is probably the strongest point for Datsun Go+ MPV over its rivals; Go+ is even cheaper than some of the premium hatchbacks.
• Datsun GO+ starts at the surprisingly and affordable price of Rs. 3.79 lakh for base variant and most attractive point is its top variant which costs at Rs. 4.61 lakh which means one can own a MPV just for Rs. 5 lakh on road.

Engine & Performance:

• Unlike its competitors Ertiga and Mobilio which is available in both petrol and Diesel engines, Datsun Go+ only exists with a petrol motor and it is the same engine of Go hatchback.
• Go+ MPV 1.2L petrol mill produces 67bhp power@5000rpm and 104Nm torque@4000rpm mated with 5 speed manual gearbox and power is sent to front wheels only.
• Engine seems small by MPV standards but with only 20 more kilos added as compared to Go hatchback, Go+ doesn’t feel sluggish at all.
• Once you start the engine, like the other 3 cylinder engine you will found a lot of vibration and shake even if it’s on idle but as far as drivability is concerned engine is on the peppier side with responsive throttle.
• This engine is very decent for city driving, it can move over the potholes and speed breakers with two on board and boot full of luggage without showing any sign of being over loaded.
• Datsun go+ can reach 100 km mark very quickly and can achieve 120 km/hr speed but we not recommend you to go over that speed due to its lightweight body structure and its mechanicals.
• This engine performs in revived manner until you push it hard beyond 5000rpm because it becomes irritating after that point due to high NVH levels and cabin noise. Go+ is not all at all a highway cruiser due to poor NVH insulation.
• Go+ is well suited for city driving with light controls and short turning radius, 2^nd and 3^rd gear ratios are tall, steering wheel is light and responsive and it can absorb potholes and bumps easily except the large potholes which can remind you that you are driving a basic car.
• Datsun Go+ delivers 20.62 Kmpl ARAI certified mileage just 0.1 lower than Go hatchback while its rivals delivers slight lower than Go+ but you can get around 15-16 Kmpl under regular driving conditions.

Space and Dimensions:

• Datsun Go+ is India’s first Sub-4 meter compact MPV with the measurement of 3995 length, 1635mm width and 1490mm height with 2+3+2 seats configuration.
• Seats are foamy in nature rather than cushy which provides acceptable support keeping in mind the budget though seats are very thin; driver can feel the knees of if there is tall occupant at the rear seat.    
• Driver can enjoy good visibility thanks to large windscreen and placing of seats but the only point which GO+ seats lacks is the driver seat height adjustability and steering adjustment.
• The 2^nd row seats witnessed some improvement with more airy feel and comfortable with decent amount of space unless you are more than 5’10 or a six footer.
• The most important 3^rd row seats is not a place where you want to fit into it is not all made for adults, no leg room space and even no space for headroom even medium height will bang their head against the descending roof.
• It’s better to use Go+ as 5 seater with third row folded for storage or if you have a family for 4 adults and 2 small kids than Go plus will suits you considering it’s price.

Exteriors:

• Datsun GO+ is a very identical to the go hatchback Datsun just did copy paste work except the length of the Go+ MPV.
• Datsun Go+ MPV gets the same stretched headlamps, honeycomb front grille embedded with logo and chrome accents, neat and clean bonnet.
• Side profile is also the similar to go hatchback with same body creases, body color door handles though one can get the chrome ones too by taking the extra packages available.
• Datsun Go+ looks simple, neat with good shiny paint quality considering its price can please many of them except the young enthusiast.
• Rear side is almost similar with beefed and muscular bumper which looks a bit quirky, only change at rear is the placing of number plate to tail gate from the bumper in Go hatchback.
• Cost cutting is evident as expected like no rubber cladding for the roof top and windscreen which allows lots of noise inside the cabin.

Interiors and Safety:

• Datsun Go+ cabin is too identical to its hatchback sibling as you step inside the cabin you will feel how tiny and small it is.
• Dashboard’s design is a mixture of grey and beige hard plastics and some might like the design and others won’t.
• On entertainment front you will get a mobile docking station with Aux-in, USB charger, Smartphone holder, though you might get a Datsun audio system from the packages available.   
• Gear lever is mounted on dashboard like Maruti Suzuki Ritz and hand brake is available behind the steering wheel which we have seen on Toyota Qualis.
• Datsun Go+ material is basic but not cheap and cost cutting is evident in the cabin like pull type door lock/unlock knobs; pull type hand brake and non adjustable ORVM’s.  
• But the quality of materials and list of features are fine and acceptable when we look at the price it is available.
• In terms of safety which should be a concern for Datsun because we all know about Go hatchback’s failure in NCAP test due to light weight structure and absence of basic safety features.
• Datsun Go+ is not so different from its hatchback sibling whether its exterior, interior and safety, Go plus is again a light weight built car which elevates safety concerns
• In safety department you will get only driver side air bag (Top variant only), 3 pointer front seat belts, engine immobilizer and manual central lock.
• No ABS and Fig lamps are available on Go+ MPV even as optional equipment which certainly raises safety concerns.
• Datsun should re-consider its decision regarding safety features because Datsun might be offering the cheapest price MPV but absence of safety features makes life of occupants cheaper.

Verdict:

Datsun Go+ MPV price ends where cars like an Ertiga and Mobilio base variant starts that’s a plus point for Go+ but it’s not all about the price. Datsun claims that it’s a seven seater car but in reality third rows seats are best suited for luggage only by folding the third row seats. With keeping in mind the price Go+ provides decent ride quality which is best suited for regular city drivability. If you have a family of 5-6 members and looking for budget MPV, Datsun Go+ is the only option available because even its top variant will cost you around 5 lakh on road.

In terms of features, ride quality and power Go plus is definitely behind Ertiga and Mobilio but available less than 4 lakh with fine drivability and fuel economy Datsun Go+ can lure customers with no extra cost of maintenance.            

Sandeep Singh