Datsun redi-GO 2016-2020

The Datsun redi GO is a stylish, minimalist, compact and fuel-efficient city hatchback. It shares most of its DNA with the Renault Kwid but has different dimensions and a different list of features too. It is one of India's most affordable new cars and while it was introduced with a 0.8-litre engine, it's now offered with a 1.0-litre engine as well. We tell you what makes the Datsun redi GO tick!

The redi GO looks quite funky which may appeal to a lot to first-time car buyers looking for an entry-level hatchback. The conventional tall-boy design has just the right amount of details to grab attention.

We like how the production-spec version stays true to the concept that was shown at the 2014 Auto Expo. The large hexagonal honeycomb grille, smoked out sweptback headlamps and the heavily detailed bumper give the Datsun Redi GO a lot of character. A little dab of chrome around the grille and the integrated LED daytime running lamps look neat. We do like the faux skidplate Datsun has added at the bottom, that ends up giving the hatch a raised look.

Over to the side, you'd instantly notice the character lines that run across the length of the car. While one emanates from the headlamps and disappears into the taillamps, the other starts off from the front door and ends up at the tailgate. The Datsun Redi GO gets thin, 13-inch wheels and a set of good looking alloy wheels would have really set the car apart.

Exterior Comparison

The boomerang shaped taillamps look quirky and add some funk to an otherwise simple rear. The rear bumper gets a faux skid plate as well and a reflector at either end. In the Datsun redi GO 1.0L, you also find a little '1.0' badge on the rear hatch. While the design isn't path-breaking or out of the box like the Renault Kwid, it is likeable.  

At 222-litres, boot space is not as big as the Kwid’s (300 litres), but offers enough storage for two average-sized bags and then some.

Boot Space Comparison

The Datsun Redi GO looks quirky, fresh and young, unlike the Alto twins. That's not all! Datsun has also offered a host of personalisation options comprising of 50 accessories to add a dash of fun. The five personalised kit options comprise Urban, Style, Kool, Easy Kit - enhance style, and Easy Kit - premium style.

While the Datsun redi-GO was launched with an all grey interior, it has now been updated and all versions get sporty black interiors. The dashboard itself is well contoured though and not like the earlier plain jane slabs of plastic that you got on the Go and Go+. You also get a smart looking gloss black centre console. 

The infotainment setup comprises a USB and AUX input but no Bluetooth connection, which means you cannot connect your phone to the car wirelessly to play music or take and make phone calls. 

Storage space, too, could have been better with just one large and another smaller cupholder. The door pads also get limited storage and the glovebox is sufficient to carry your vehicle documents and some other knick-knacks. 

The interior is one step ahead than on the Go & Go+.

The new redi-GO also offers a lot of space in the back seat in terms of knee room and head room but shoulder room for three people is not adequate and it could get quite cramped. The seats themselves are quite comfortable, though, with enough lumbar and under thigh support. There is no folding handrest or adjustable headrests at the back.

In terms of the front seats, although they are decently comfortable overall with the exception of being quite narrow on the top half, the distance between the steering wheel and the seats aren’t large enough for drivers 6ft and above since the seats do not slide as far back as they should ideally. Of course, most Indian men have an average height of around 5’8’ so this shouldn’t be a problem to them. On the whole, though, the redi-GO is more spacious than the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and about as spacious as the Renault Kwid.

The Datsun redi GO has a fairly sparse list of safety features. It does get an immobiliser and a driver-side airbag but the latter is only offered on the top-spec variant. Also, ABS is not offered on any variant.

This is one segment where safety of the occupants is not really the prime concern for majority of car manufacturers. Although, Datsun has managed to equip redi GO with some decent features. It makes use of a Datsun claimed ‘Pro Safe-7’ mechanism.

Only a driver side airbag is on offer.

This includes a reinforced crash protection shell which beefs up the structure of this compact hatch. Also on offer is an electric power steering with an impact absorbing feature. To ensure a safe and comfortable drive, Datsun has introduced a driver side airbag for more protection along with increased seat bolster that takes care of your driving position and provides lumbar support as well.

Safety Comparison

0.8-litre Petrol 

The Renault Kwid and the Datsun redi-GO share the same platform and, thus, share the same engine and gearbox. They even share the same engine mapping. And this means that the redi-GO gets a 0.8-litre or 800cc engine that makes a modest 54PS of peak power and 72Nm of peak torque. Essentially, this car is not tuned for performance but for fuel efficiency. So, don’t go looking for driving thrills. But, if you are the sort of person who only wants to potter around from point A to point B in relative comfort, then this could be the right car for you. 

Datsun claims that the redi-GO can accelerate from 0-100kmph in 15.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 140km/h. However, if you do drive it sedately, it returns a respectable 22.7kmpl as per ARAI's new test cycle.

1.0-litre Petrol

This is where the meat of the matter is. The bigger 1.0-litre engine produces 68PS of power at 5,500rpm and 91Nm of torque at 4,250rpm. This is 14PS/19Nm more than the standard redi-GO and identical to the Renault Kwid 1.0. The increase in power, though not perceivable in an outright manner, becomes evident while tackling inclines or when travelling with a full house.

Compared to the 0.8-litre variant, this car feels a lot more refined. Getting a move on is quicker and smoother as well. Engine vibrations can be felt inside the cabin, but are better controlled than in the 0.8-litre variant. What has noticeably improved is the in-gear response. With its healthier mid-range performance, the car manages overtakes and inclines better than the less powerful redi-GO, while reducing the need for downshifts. The car managed to take on a few sharp inclines with two passengers in third gear with the engine showing no signs of strain. In the redi-GO 0.8, such inclines would certainly have to be taken in a lower gear.

The claimed fuel economy is 22.5kmpl, which is expected to be close to real-world numbers as it has been tested according to the new ARAI regulations. According to this method, the claimed mileage of the 0.8-litre redi-GO has dropped from 25.17kmpl to 22.7kmpl. So practically, you don't lose out on fuel economy if you go for the 1.0-litre option. Overall, the redi-GO 1.0-litre is definitely a nicer to drive than the 0.8-litre and, importantly, the benefits can be felt in everyday driving conditions.

Performance Comparison (Petrol)

The clutch is very light and the gearshifts although a bit imprecise, are light and easy to slot. An automatic (AMT) version is also there in the pipeline, which should make driving in our cities easier still. Overall visibility from inside the car is also brilliant while driving in tight traffic is a breeze. Also, since the length of the car is quite small, it is extremely easy to park the car. The NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) levels aren’t too bad either but when compared to the likes of the Maruti Alto, they could have been better.

Ride and Handling

One of the most comfortable cars in the segment.

The Datsun redi-GO does share the same basic architecture as the Kwid,  but the suspension setup is very very different. In fact, it comes with a unique H-shaped beam setup for the rear suspension which is a unique feature in its class. But what does that translate for the average joe? Well, for starters, the redi-GO is one of the most comfortable cars we have driven in a long time (in this segment). It is also suited much more towards ride quality as compared to handling and it shows in the way the Datsun makes short work of most bumps and potholes.

Now although the redi-GO does handle much better than other older Datsun cars, it still hates being thrown into a corner aggressively. In fact, the Datsun hatch has a tendency to understeer and the steering wheel itself lacks feel compared to, say, the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800. We also found an issue with the steering return ability on the redi-GO. Basically, take a U-Turn and the steering takes a lot of time and some manual effort to get back to the straight position. Now, normally, we would assume the issue to be a poor set of tyres, but we drove two different cars on two different set of budget tyres, and both of them had the same issue.

Even with the brakes, we felt a lack of initial bite and braking feedback until you push the pedal harder and deeper into the floor. Push too hard and the brakes lock up instantly as the redi GO does not get ABS on any variant. In terms of safety, apart from passive safety features like crumple zones, the redi-GO does get a driver airbag on the top-of-the-line variant. 

With five variants to choose from, the entry level D variant manages to get only basic driving aids. The absence of necessary equipment such as body coloured bumpers, power steering, air conditioner and even an immobilizer makes it score less on features. However, all the rest of the variants get the above list of features as standard. Apart from power steering which is offered only on T, T(O) and S variants. As you gradually move up the segment i.e. A and above, one gets treated to some premium appeal with silver finish on the steering wheel, AC vents and a piano black centre console.

Only the T(O) and the top S variant gets an audio system with CD/MP3 USB and AUX support. The audio unit is connected with two speakers at the front. These top two variants also get front power windows for added comfort. The top of the line S variant gets an additional driver side airbag and daytime running lights as well. 

The redi go is a stylish and spacious hatchback that will appeal to those on a budget but still wish to stand out from the crowd.

Datsun’s 5-year/unlimited km warranty makes the redi go an attractive package. Since the redi go is not yet available with dual front airbags and ABS as standard, we’d limit ourselves to recommending the top S variant, which gets a driver-side airbag.