India has always been a small car market, though its currently under the grip of SUV fever, the small cars, more commonly known as the budget cars, are the evergreen models that can never go out of fashion. Datsun dived into the sea of small cars last year and almost a year after its launch, the company has added a 1.0-litre engine to the carline. We got behind the wheels of this slightly powerful redi-GO and here’re our first impressions of the car. Read More – Datsun redi Go 800cc Review
What’s new on the outside?
Aesthetically, the new Datsun redi-GO remains unchanged, save for the 1.0L badge at the back. With its quirky styling and crossover-ish looks, redi-GO stands out among the new lot of cars in the segment. The tallboy stance and other elements altogether give it a unique look. Up front, it sports D-cut shaped grille and the segment first LED daytime running lights. Also Read – Datsun Redi Go 1000cc Price, Specs & Other details
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What’s new on the inside?
Contrary to the exterior, redi-GO 1.0L gets a couple of significant changes on the inside. One of the prominent additions inside is the all-black dashboard that replaces the grey colour tone seen in the 800cc version. It additionally gets silver finish around air con vents and steering wheel. What makes it stand apart in the segment, are the multiple storage points including the additional storage area on the dashboard that could be used for keeping bottles, wallets, phone etc. There are two bottle holders on the floor console, whereas the side pockets and glovebox are too narrow.
Considering that redi-GO is an entry-level car, it gets a decent mix of features such as the manual AC, AUX-in, audio system with USB port, power-steering, manually adjustable wing mirrors, digital tachometer, keyless entry and central locking. One must note that these features are offered on the top-spec variant in the carline. Compared to its French cousin Renault Kwid, the 1.0L redi-GO misses out on the touchscreen unit.
From the perspective of comfort, this budget car redi-GO scores well in the entry-level segment. The dual-tone front seats are comfortable and offer good legroom on the driver side, however the co-passenger side is a bit cramped. Rear seats also offer comfortable legroom and shoulder space, but what really impresses us is the headroom that can easily accommodate a 6-feet tall driver. The cabin can comfortably accommodate 4 occupants, though a fifth occupant can be adjusted.
While the cabin offers generous room to occupants, redi-GO 1.0L gets the best-in-class boot space. In fact, it offers better space than some of the models positioned a notch above in the B segment.
On the safety front, the hatchback misses out on the dual airbags, even the top-spec model makes do with a driver side airbag. While its build quality is on par with rivals in the segment, we feel it could have been better.
Engine Specifications and Performance
The biggest change on the redi-GO 1.0L is the more powerful 1000cc engine that makes 67bhp against 91Nm. It is the same unit that is used in the Renault Kwid 1.0L version. Unlike the 800cc engine, this unit does not feel underpowered and is better than its smaller sibling when it comes to driving through slope. That said, it performs better than the 800cc engine in city traffic, albeit one needs to shift gears frequently below 2000rpm. The mid-range is good and offers stellar performance on highway as it touches triple digit mark in no time. The hatchback performs more confidently at high speeds compared to rivals in the segment, however the gearbox is a tad hard and one will take some time to get used to it. Another change on the 1.0L redi-GO is the improved NVH levels, though we feel it there is still some room for improvement.
Bestowed with best-in-class suspension mechanism, redi-GO 1.0L can handle almost all types of uneven roads and rough patches thanks to the 185mm ground clearance. The steering is light, though it could have been better. Overall, the 1.0L version is notably better than its smaller sibling.
Datsun redi GO 1.0 Review – Verdict
Backed by its quirky styling, high ground clearance and impressive mileage, redi-GO 1.0L has the potential to carve a niche spot in the segment. However, the interior is very basic and lacks equipment. Besides, the new 1.0L engine, redi-GO offers slightly more power, but the power delivery could have been better. Overall, it is a good city car with some of the best-in-class features.
