Datsun Go+ vs Maruti WagonR comparison

    Are the added seats of the Datsun Go+ enough to knock over the sensible WagonR?

    Published On Feb 26, 2015 02:19:00 PM

    37,259 Views

    What’s new?

    The Datsun Go+ is a very interesting car. It seats seven, is about the same length as a compact sedan and costs as much as a budget hatchback.

    So, on the face of it, this car offers amazing value and can potentially  stir up things amongst its ‘lesser’ five-seat rivals. After all, more seats is better right? Well, it’s not that easy. That’s because, to come out on top, the Go+ will have to lock horns with the WagonR – the go-to budget option for folks looking for a spacious, efficient and comfortable hatchback. And additionally, it’s backed up by the country’s best aftersales network.

    The top-spec Go+ is priced at Rs 4.61 lakh, which is just about Rs 8,000 more than the range-topping WagonR VXi. And while two more seats for the same price looks like a no brainer, it isn’t that straightforward.

    What are they like inside?

    This is where both cars fundamentally differ. The Go+ has an extra row of seats over the WagonR and this is the car’s biggest USP. Before we get into the rest of the cabin, lets look at this last row. Though the Go+ is technically an MPV, unfortunately, the extremely cramped third row makes it almost impossible to fit an adult here comfortably. In fact, space here is so tight that even tall children may find themselves unable to sit in the seat. That said, this row can be quite useful for younger children who otherwise, would find themselves in the laps of some passengers. The back seat flips forward and folds up and while access is restricted, it isn’t so bad if you kids are under five feet tall.

    Apart from the third row, everything else is pretty much the same as the Go hatchback. So, it gets the same grey dash that’s well screwed together but looks a bit too bland and built to a cost.

    Just like in the Go, the front seats resemble a bench and this frees up extra space to store your belongings. Finding a good driving position can get a bit tricky as the steering wheel isn’t adjustable and neither is the seat height.

    The front seats are fairly comfortable but the second row lack under thigh support although knee room is adaquate. Between the two, the Go+’s wider cabin means it is possible to seat three abreast (in the second row), something that’s quite difficult in the narrower Wagon R.

    What we didn’t like about the Datsun’s cabin is that it lacks closed storage spaces; even the glovebox doesn’t have a lid. Also, the mirrors can’t be internally adjusted and the driver has to reach over to use the passenger side power window switch because there’s no master console on the driver’s side.

    The WagonR may be down on two seats but the cabin scores well in terms of space and practicality. There are a fair number of closed storage spaces in the form of twin-gloveboxes and a hidden tray that sits under the front passenger seat to stow expensive items out of sight and two cupholders that pop out of the dashboard. That said, the doorpockets are too slim to be really useful.

    The doors open wide and the high seating means you slide into the WagonR’s front seat without any effort; especially useful for elderly folk. Inside, you are faced with a vertical dashboard and the silver-finished centre console adds a bit of style to what’s otherwise a pretty plain cabin.

    You sit much higher up in the Maruti and the adjustable steering allows for a nicer driving position. Additionally, the large glass area gives the driver a good view of his/her surroundings, taking some of the stress out of city driving.   The front seats feel quite flat and lack a bit of support and between the two, the WagonR’s rear seat feels more airy and comfortable. Despite it’s slightly shorter wheelbase, the upright seating position frees up a fair bit of knee room and by deftly adjusting the front seats, it’s possible to comfortably seat taller people in the rear.

    The 180-litre boot however is just about half the size of the Datsun’s big 350-litre cargo area, which rivals many compact sedans.

    Ride & handling

     The Go+ rides quite well. Around typical city roads, it feels well cushioned and tackles rough surfaces fairly well, giving it a bit of a big-car feel. That said, bigger potholes do crash through and this is down mainly to the small 155/70 R13 wheels that tend to fall into larger potholes. Another irritant is that the Datsun does a poor job of keeping road noise out of the cabin, especially on gravelly surfaces where you can clearly hear the metallic clinking of tiny stones.

    Thanks to the light steering, the Datsun is a fairly effortless car to drive. It is a safe handling car but it doesn’t enjoy being pushed very fast around corners. The soft suspension means it has plenty of body roll and the weedy ‘Strada’ brand tyres aren’t very grippy either. 

    The WagonR rides a bit better and it tackles most of our bad roads quite well. The Maruti’s soft suspension does a good job of dealing with speed-breakers and potholes, and the suspension is quite silent too. However, it isn’t perfect. Over patchy roads at higher speeds, there is a bit of up and down movement, which can get uncomfortable. And while overall body control is better than the Datsun’s, there is a fair bit body roll and this isn’t really a car you would want to corner enthusiastically in. Also, the light steering, though a boon in the city, doesn’t feel as direct as the Datsun’s and there’s a touch of vagueness at higher speeds.

    What are they like to drive?

    Both these cars use three-cylinder motors and five-speed manual gearboxes. The Datsun’s 1.2-litre motor is a good 20 percent bigger than the Maruti’s, and this advantage is quite evident from behind the wheel. It feels much quicker than its 67bhp figure suggests, and can outrun some hatchbacks from a segment above. The flexible motor is eager to respond at most speeds and the smooth power delivery at lower speeds makes it great in stop-and-go traffic. It pulls nicely even in fourth gear and this means, unless you really slow down, you don’t have to shift down to third gear while ascending flyovers. When you do change gears, the light clutch and the easily accessible dash-mounted gear lever do well to minimise effort.

    The Go+ copes up well on the highways too. The motor doesn’t lose steam when spun fast and Datsun has restricted high engine speeds to improve fuel economy. Overtaking on the highways is quite easy with five on board, and the MPV never feels it has to strain much. What we didn’t like though is that the Go’s engine gets a bit loud when pushed hard, so it’s best to keep the motor at moderate speeds to reduce driver fatigue.

    The WagonR’s 1.0-litre K10 motor is quite good at low speed too, but it lacks a bit of that initial urgency you get in the Datsun. You have to work the gearbox a bit more often in the Maruti and use a bit more of the accelerator at typical city speeds. Thankfully, the light clutch and improved gearbox means, changing gears isn’t a chore. That said, there’s a hint of jerkiness when negotiating stop-start traffic, and this motor has a bit of an unsettled idle that translates into mild cabin shudder at standstill.

    On the open roads, you soon appreciate the Maruti’s motor’s willingness to spin faster than the Datsun’s, and it feels a bit more refined when pushed hard. Sure, you need to downshift now and then to overtake quicker cars but since the engine loves to spin fast,
    the effective top-end of the rev range is quite handy. That said, the motor isn’t entirely noise-free and it does get thrummy after 4000rpm.

    Buying & owning

    Though the Go+ range starts at an attractive Rs 3.79 lakh, all models but its highest ‘T’ trim which costs Rs 4.61 lakh, are poorly equipped. And even in the highest trim, it offers similar levels of equipment as the mid-spec Wagon R LXi.

    The Maruti WagonR starts at Rs 3.8 lakh and gets air-con as stardard. Apart from the lowest LX variant, all other trims get power steering. The lower LXi variant is priced at Rs 3.96 lakh, while the top-spec VXi ABS variant (with a music system, single airbag and ABS) is priced at Rs 4.53 lakh. The WagonR, thanks to Maruti’s huge network will be the easier and more hassle-free to own.

    Between the two, the Datsun is marginally more fuel efficient, returning 12.6kpl and 17.7kpl in the city and highway, respectively, while the WagonR manages 12.4kpl and 17kpl.

    Equipment & safety

    The Go+ is available in four trim levels – D, D1, A, T – and all of them are sparsely equipped. The D and D1 trims don’t even get an AC. 

    The mid A variant costs Rs 4.15 lakh, and is practically the lowest version you should buy. For about Rs 50,000 more, the top Go+ T variant gets front power windows, electric power steering, manual central locking, a two-speaker audio system with only aux-in compatibility and a USB port for charging only.

    The Wagon R comes in three trims – LX, LXi and VXi. All trims get 60:40 split folding rear seats, and air-con as standard. The LXi variant essentially adds power steering and is priced at Rs 3.96 lakh. The top VXi ABS variant gets an integrated music system, all power windows, a driver-side airbag and ABS, amongst other added features. It’s priced at Rs 4.53 lakh and is the variant we recommend.

    The last row test

    Since only KIDS can fit in the back, we tried to fit each of these kids, aged 6 to 14, in the back. The first three kids were fairly comfy. The two older children had just about adaquate knee room but even they had to sit in a slightly squatted position. Don’t try seating adults here!

    Verdict

    The Go+ offers a fresh take on affordable mobility for larger families. It’s the only one in its class with seven seats and the best at carrying five with their luggage at this price point. So, if space is your prime concern, look no further. The peppy motor adds a bit of fun to the mix and it rides quite well over bad patches too. So, overall, you do get a fair bit of car for your money. That said, it’s hard to overlook the extensive cost cutting carried out by Datsun. The barebones cabin lacks the feel-good factor, there’s hardly any equipment to speak of and there are no safety features either. All of which makes it feel a bit too cheap.

    When it comes to no-nonsense motoring, it’s hard to fault the WagonR. Sure, it doesn’t have the sheer space of the Go+ and the engine isn’t as good. But for all practical purposes, the WagonR feels more complete as a car. The seats are comfortable, fuel economy and performance is good and despite being much better equipped, it’s cheaper than the Datsun. Most importantly, it doesn’t give you that ‘built-to-a-price’ feeling you get in the Go+. And since the best service network in the country backs it, the ownership experience is likely to be almost hassle free. Unless you really want the extra row, stick with the Wagon R.

    Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights reserved.

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