Budget hatch infotainment Comparison – Renault Kwid Dynamique vs. Suzuki Celerio GL vs. Datsun Go 1.2 Lux

By Chad Lückhoff

We look at the infotainment and entertainment offerings on the lower side of the spectrum, comparing the units found in the Kwid, Celerio and Go.

Pocket-friendly entertainment offerings

While we would all love to climb in behind the wheel of an expensive hot-hatch or an opulent luxury SUV, the fact is that our budget doesn't always allow for that. But does that mean that we enjoy the creature comforts, our music and technology any less? Not at all.

With the increase in the vehicle's price, comes an increase in the technology that is injected into the experience, something that is often removed in order to keep the costs down.

The good news is that manufacturers haven't forgotten about us and modern entry-level offerings have better sound systems and infotainment units than before. Not all have large touchscreen units, but they have found a workaround that means that you won't be left missing out on your favourite tunes or getting lost along the way.

We look at three similar vehicles, with not-too-different prices, to see what is on offer. We take the popular Renault Kwid, the cost effective Datsun Go and the efficient and energetic Suzuki Celerio and dive into their cabins to see what they bring to the party.

Renault Kwid Dynamique – R139 900

4/5

One of the bigger selling points of the Renault Kwid is, in fact, its infotainment system. Unrivalled in this segment, the Kwid is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the MediaNav multi-media system.

This unit has a clear, simple, easy to navigate interface that has Bluetooth functionality, USB and Aux input but is devoid of a CD slot or steering wheel controls. It allows for hands-free telephone communication and is bundled with navigation.

Three tactile buttons operate the power and volume controls. Speed sensitive volume control allows you to set the amount of volume that needs to be cut when you slow down or are in traffic.

Suzuki Celerio GL – R155 500

3/5

While a little more expensive in terms of purchase price, the Celerio offers improved safety and ride dynamics over the competition in this list with dual airbags, air conditioning and an included service plan – making it the more complete choice.

While not fitted with what would be deemed an infotainment system, the Celerio is fitted with a monochrome audio system with steering wheel mounted controls. The unit has Bluetooth functionality allowing for hands-free telephone communication and audio streaming through the 4-speaker system.

The unit has input for CD, USB and Aux and has a host of tactile buttons for quick navigation to frequently used functions, such as CD, FM/AM, Media, mute, track skip, display, play modes as well as a bank of preset radio stations. Two rotary dial control tuning and menu scrolling, power and volume.

Datsun Go 1.2 Lux – R137 200

2/5

Where the Suzuki Celerio is only fitted with an entertainment system and not so much an infotainment system, the Datsun Go has even less fitted as standard. But that's not to say that the implementation of an entertainment system is completely missing – in fact, the Go takes a rather unique approach.

The unit fitted to the Go can hardly be called a radio and should rather be called an interface. Datus has fitted the Go with a Mobile Docking Station (MDS) that allows for a direct connection between the owner's smartphone and the audio system in the car. With smartphones taking care of so many of our daily functions, from communication to music and navigation, it makes sense to have a way to plug into that functionality.

By placing your phone in the supplied cradle, you connect to the audio system via a 3.5mm stereo jack. This allows you to play or stream the music from your phone through the car's 2-speaker audio system while a USB connection provides power to keep the phone battery charged.

The benefit of a system like this is that all the music on your phone is available in your car. It also means that you get to choose which navigation system you use while the phone is docked, Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze and so much more.