2019 Maruti Wagon R Vs Datsun GO: Variants Comparison

Where the Wagon R is available in three variants, the Datsun GO can be had in five variants

Update: Read our first drive review of the new Maruti Wagon R here.

Maruti has launched the 2019 Wagon R in India at a starting price of Rs 4.19 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It renews its rivalry against the Hyundai Santro, Datsun GO, Tata Tiago and the Maruti Suzuki Celerio. The new Wagon R is now bigger and better equipped than before. But how does it fare against one of the best equipped cars of this segment, the Datsun GO, on paper. Let’s find out.

Dimensions

• The Datsun GO is longer and wider than the Wagon R. It also has a longer wheelbase.
• As for luggage carrying capacity, Wagon R takes the lead with a larger boot.

• Where the Datsun GO is available with a single engine, the third-gen Wagon R can be had with two engine options.
• Maruti’s smaller 1.0-litre motor produces 68PS, which is identical to Datsun’s 1.2-litre unit. But it lags behind in torque, with just 90Nm against Datsun’s 104Nm.
• Maruti’s 1.2-litre engine produces 83PS and 113Nm, which is 15PS and 9Nm more than the Datsun motor.
• Where the Datsun is available only with a 5-speed manual, the Wagon R can be had with either a 5-speed MT or AMT with both engine options.
• The Wagon R betters the Datsun on the fuel economy front as well. Both of its engines are more frugal than Datsun’s 1.2-litre unit.

Also Read: New Maruti Wagon R 2019 Mileage: Does It Beat Hyundai Santro, Tata Tiago & Datsun GO?

Disclaimer: We are only considering the (O) variants of the WagonR since they get dual front airbags as standard.

Maruti Wagon R LXI(O) 1.0L Vs Datsun GO A

Common Features:

Safety: Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, central locking and driver seatbelt warning.

Exterior: Body-coloured bumpers and roof antenna.

Comfort: Front power windows, manual AC and electric power steering.

What Datsun GO A offers over Wagon R LXI(O): Electrically-adjustable ORVMs.

What Wagon R LXI (O) offers over Datsun GO A: Seatbelt reminder for co-passenger, speed alert system and front seatbelts with pretensioner and load limiters.

Verdict: Both the cars are quite evenly equipped. So if you are on a tight budget, you should go for the Datsun GO. However, we’d suggest you extend your budget a little and go for the Wagon R LXI (O) variant as it gets front seatbelts with pretensioner and load limiters, which is a very important safety feature in our opinion. The Wagon R does miss out on electrically-adjustable ORVMs, but it is a fair trade-off for the added safety features. We wish Datsun could have also offered front seatbelts with pretensioners with load limiters on the GO.

Also Read: New Maruti Wagon R 2019: Variants Explained

Maruti Wagon R VXI (O) 1.0L Vs Datsun GO T

Common Features (over previous variants)

Exterior: Wheel covers, body-coloured ORVMs and door handles.

Comfort: Keyless entry, rear power windows and electrically-adjustable ORVMs.

Infotainment: Audio system with Bluetooth, USB and Aux-in.

What Datsun GO T offers over Wagon R VXI (O) 1.0L: a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

What Wagon R VXI (O) 1.0L offers over Datsun GO T: Seatbelt reminder for co-passenger, speed alert system, front seatbelts with pretensioner and load limiters, speed-sensitive door lock, day/night IRVM and tilt-adjustable steering.

Verdict: Here as well, we’d suggest you go for the WagonR over the Datsun GO simply due to the extra safety features it offers. Apart from that, the WagonR also offers other important features like speed-sensitive door lock, day/night IRVM and tilt-adjustable steering, which the Datsun GO misses. The Datsun GO does comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto over the Wagon R, but it is outweighed by the extra safety features on the Maruti. The Maruti gets a 2-DIN music system with Bluetooth and USB.   

Also Read: 2018 Datsun GO & GO+ Facelift: First Drive Review 

Maruti Wagon R VXI (O) 1.2L Vs Datsun GO T(O)

Common Features (over the previous variants): Same as Wagon R VXI (O) 1.0L Vs Datsun GO T

What Datsun GO T offers over Wagon R VXI(O) 1.2L: A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED DRLs, 14-inch alloys and rear washer with wiper.

What Wagon R VXI(O) 1.2L offers over Datsun GO T(O): Seatbelt reminder for co-passenger, speed alert system, speed-sensitive door lock, front seatbelts with pretensioner and load limiters, steering-mounted audio controls, day/night IRVM and tilt-adjustable steering.

Verdict: Our verdict remains unchanged here as well. The WagonR continues to remain our pick for its additional safety features. We do appreciate Datsun offering features like a 7-inch touchscreen unit, alloy wheels and LED DRLs on the GO, but safety should be given more priority in our opinion. Though the 2019 Datsun GO is safer than the pre-facelift model, it continues to miss out on essential features like seatbelts with pretensioner and load limiters.

Also Read: New Maruti Wagon R 2019 vs Hyundai Santro: Variants Comparison

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