In India, sales of hatchbacks account for around 50 percent of all car sales. The Dastun Go is the latest entrant in this fiercely competitive car segment and it's got Maruti's Wagon R, quite a popular car amongst hatchback buyers itself, in its way. Targeted at first time car buyers, Datsun has priced the Go competitively, but how does it stack up against the evergreen Maruti Wagon R? We have the details.
Let’s begin with the most important detail - the price. The top Datsun Go T trim is priced at Rs 3.69 lakh while the Maruti Wagon R VXi trim retails for Rs 4.07 lakh. The top Maruti Wagon R VXi trim with ABS though is priced at Rs 4.37 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). So, the Datsun has the advantage as far as price is concerned. Now, what about features offered?
All trims of the Datsun Go come equipped with a segment first follow-me-home headlights. Apart from this, the top Datsun Go T trim gets body-coloured bumpers and door handles along with wheel covers on the outside. The instrument panel has an on-board computer, which displays a digital tachometer, trip meter, distance-to-empty, along with your car's average and instant fuel efficiency figures. It also comes with an AC, electric power steering, front power windows, a gear shift guide, a folding rear seat bench and central locking. It also gets a two-speaker audio system with aux-in compatibility only (it doesn't have a radio), a mobile phone stand, a USB port for charging only and 'Jacquard' seat upholstery.
On the outside, the Maruti Wagon R VXi comes equipped with blue tinted headlamps, a chrome accentuated front grille, roof rails, body colored bumpers and door handles, chrome back door garnish, wheel covers and side body mouldings. On the inside, it gets dual-tone interiors, dual-tone 3D effect upholstery, door trim fabric, a rear parcel tray, adjustable front and rear seat headrests and a day/night inside rear view mirror. It also gets electric power steering, front and rear power windows, central locking along with 60:40 split rear seats. The Wagon R even gets a headlamp leveler, rear wiper, rear washer and defogger, i-CATS anti-theft system and security system, tachometer, tubeless tyres and an integrated music system with CD, MP3 and USB compatibility. So, the Wagon R has a longer features list, but they come at a slight premium over the Go.
In terms of dimensions, the Datsun Go measures 3,785mm in length, 1,635mm in width and has a wheelbase of 2,450mm. While the Maruti Wagon R is 3599mm long, 1495mm wide and has a wheelbase of 2400mm. The Datsun Go is clearly longer and wider than the Wagon R, so it wins as far as space is concerned.
The Maruti Wagon R is powered by a 998cc, three-cylinder petrol engine, which develops maximum power of 67bhp at 6200rpm and maximum torque of 9.1kg at 3500 rpm. In comparison, the Go’s three-cylinder, slightly bigger 1198cc petrol motor makes identical peak power of 67bhp at 5000rpm and slightly more peak torque - 10.60kgm at 4000rpm.
As we mentioned in the beginning, the Datsun Go T is around Rs 38,000 cheaper than the Maruti Wagon R VXi. Since it's a budget hatch, the Go T trim does not get as many features as the Wagon R VXi. But by shelling out around Rs 30,000 extra, you can add a good amount of official accessories to the Datsun Go T from the dealership. The Maruti Wagon R does feel a bit more premium than the Datsun Go, but it's been on sale for over a decade and is showing signs of age. The Go has that 'new car' advantage and it's also more spacious than the Wagon R. But, the Wagon R also comes with the advantage of Maruti's widespread aftersales network. However, as a no-nonsense budget car, the Datsun Go does tick a lot of boxes.
PRADEB BISWAS
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
