Datsun GO Facelift: Variants Explained

The 2018 Datsun GO facelift is offered in a choice of five variants, starting at Rs 3.32 lakh, going up to Rs 5.17 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). But which one should you put your money on?

Datsun has launched the mid-cycle facelift of the GO, which goes up against the Maruti Suzuki Celerio and WagonR, besides the Tata Tiago and the all-new Hyundai Santro. The updated Datsun GO has upped its game with several first-in-segment add-ons including standard safety features. However, which variant of the GO makes the most sense for you? We find out.

• Spec Comparison: 2018 Hyundai Santro vs Datsun GO facelift vs Celerio vs Tiago vs WagonR

Colour options

• Ruby red
• Bronze Grey 
• Amber Orange 
• Crystal Silver 
• Opal White
• Vivid Blue

Standard safety features 

• Dual front airbags 
• ABS with EBD and brake assist 
• Rear parking sensors 
• Central locking 
• Driver seatbelt warning 

Datsun GO D

• Light: Multi-reflector halogen headlamps and incandescent taillamps 
• Aesthetics: Silver finished grille, body-coloured bumpers, all-black interior and black fabric upholstery
• Audio: No audio system on offer  
• Comfort: MID, gearshift indicator, front power windows, manually adjustable outside rearview mirrors, tinted glasses, follow-me-home headlamps
• Tyres: 165/70 cross-section R14 steel wheels 
• Others: Digital tachometer

Is it worth buying?

The base-spec GO now comes with a standard suite of safety features and is cheaper than the pre-facelift variant. In fact, it is the only car in the compact hatchback segment to come standard with dual front airbags along with ABS and EBD with brake assist. The tried and tested 1.2-litre engine continues to power the updated model. While the D variant does score well on the safety front, Datsun should have added an electric power steering and AC, which are basic necessities.

Datsun GO A: Pricier for the features it adds 

Over the base D, the A gets:

• Comfort: Electric power steering and electrically adjustable outside rearview mirrors

Is it worth buying?

With a difference of Rs 86,000 and just a couple of add-ons, the A is an expensive upgrade over the D. It seems like Datsun is compensating with the pricier A for the aggressively priced base-spec D. It should, at least, have been offered with an air conditioning unit, which is a must-have feature nowadays. We would suggest you to skip even this variant if you can spend more.

Datsun GO A(O): Gets the basics

Over the A, the A(O) gets:

• Aesthetics: Body coloured outside rearview mirrors, piano black central console with silver accents and steering wheel with silver accents
• Comfort: Manual air conditioning, rear power windows with driver’s door-mounted console 

Is it worth buying?

The newly introduced A(O) turns out to be a base-spec variant of the updated GO in true sense. On top of the segment-first standard safety features, the A(O) gets the basics like an air conditioning unit. The only downside is the unavailability of a basic Bluetooth-enabled music system which would have otherwise made the package truly value for money at this price. If you’re on a budget and plan to go for the A(O) variant but will have an audio system retrofitted later, we suggest you consider the next T variant.

Datsun GO T: Adds premiumness to the package, value-for-money variant

Over the A(O), the T gets:

• Safety: Vehicle dynamics control
• Aesthetics: Chrome grille, body coloured door handles, wheel covers, silver-finished AC vent accents and door handles, blue bezel for the instrument cluster dials 
• Audio: 7-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system (from Renault Kwid) with voice recognition and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Also on offer is HD video playback along with USB, Aux-in and Bluetooth connectivity. The unit is coupled with a two-speaker system  

• Comfort: remote keyless entry
• Others: Analog tachometer  

Is it worth buying?

The GO T is a complete package as it ticks all the boxes when it comes to features that modern-day entry-level vehicle get. Thanks to the new safety update, the GO becomes the first in its segment to offer VDC which is essentially electronic stability control. By offering a capacitive (smartphone like multi-touch capability) touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, it exceeds expectations too. The premium of Rs 18,000 that Datsun is charging over the A(O) makes the upgrade to the T variant attractive and worth every penny.

Datsun GO T(O): Makes the GO look fancy! 

• Aesthetics: 14-inch diamond cut alloy wheels 

• Safety: rear washer and wiper and Daytime running LEDs

Is it worth buying?

The top-spec T(O) variant gets fancy alloy wheels, DRLs and rear wash-wipe. However, the premium of Rs 34,000 is a bit on the higher side given the added features. At this price, we expect it to also get features like tilt-adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat and rear defogger (major miss since it does have a wash-wipe system) to justify the price hike.

Check out: 2018 Datsun GO & GO+ Facelift: First Drive Review

Read More on : Datsun GO on road price