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Datsun Go
. Mid R159 100
. Lux R173 600
. Lux CVT R187 900
3/5
When Datsun left South Africa two decades ago, many fans were disappointed. Then, in 2014, the Japanese brand re-entered the local market with the launch of the Datsun Go.
However, the reception among local motoring media was far from friendly with deep concerns around the fact that the first generation Go had no airbags or ABS. However, local consumers appeared unperturbed.
To date close on 33 000 Gos have sold in South Africa since its launch.
Five generations later, the good news is that Datsun has done plenty to upscale its latest offering – the Go CVT (continuously variable transmission).
Safety has clearly improved – the Go CVT now comes with dual airbags, ABS/EBD/Brake Assist and VDC, which stands for vehicle dynamic control.
In simple speak, VDC is designed to monitor driving conditions and the driver’s input by way of brake and steering wheel use, and to intercede if necessary, basically preventing the wheels from slipping.
There’s also been an upscale in standard tech with a nifty touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and a USB port, although it took me a few minutes to find it as it’s a little hidden in the area just below the gear shaft.
There are also daytime running lights, front and rear electric windows, power steering, follow me home headlamps, rear parking sensors and 14-inch alloys.
I got to drive the Go CVT over the festive season and, despite my initial prejudices, I came away rather impressed. I soon discovered that its 1.2-litre naturally aspirated 3-cylinder motor, with 57kW of power and 104Nm of torque on offer, had reasonable power for a vehicle within the budget segment.
I did a lot of city and open road driving in December and kept a beady eye on fuel consumption over a four-week period, and it came in at just below 6.0 litres/100km – pretty impressive, as I drove my Go rather hard.
I also did a lot of shopping and was surprised how much I could fit into its 265-litres of boot space, which is best in class.
The Go’s main rivals in this budget segment are the recently launched Hyundai Atos and the updated Renault Kwid. Interestingly, both the Kwid and the Go are offering customers one year’s free insurance, while the Go pips the Kwid’s five-year, 150 000km plan by offering a 6-year, 150 000km warranty. If budget is a big concern, the Go CVT is a pretty good sub-R200k option.
