Safety comparison: The new Datsun Go vs. the Renault Kwid

By Ané Theron

Which offers the most comprehensive safety spec?

If you’re in the market for a practical and inexpensive little city runabout, you’ve probably considered something along the lines of the enhanced Datsun Go or the volume-selling Renault Kwid. Let’s take a look at how they fare when they go head-to-head in the safety stakes.

I selected the Datsun Go 1.2 Mid and Kwid 1.0 Dynamique variants because they are the closest to each other in price. Both have 3-cylinder engines with similar performance figures, and infotainment systems with touch screens that allow handsfree-telephony and Bluetooth audio streaming. On the safety front, things are a little different, however.

Contender no. 1: The new Datsun Go 1.2 Mid, R144 500 (new)

When the first-generation Go launched locally, motoring media were peeved at its lack of proper safety features such as ABS and a lack of airbags for the driver and front passenger. The good news is that these issues have now been addressed: Not only does the Go get this potentially life-saving kit, it also gets parking sensors to prevent rear-fender-benders or more serious transgressions like hitting pedestrians that walk behind the car. Another new  feature in the Go is follow-me-home headlamps that illuminate your way to the garage or front door even after you’ve switched off the engine and exited the car. Other safety features include a child lock and an immobiliser, and while the middle seat of the rear bench only gets a lap belt, the other four seats get 3-point pre-tensioner safety belts. The Go also gets daytime running lamps which makes the car more visible to other road users, and a high-level brake light on the rear is standard. As for the service plan, it is an optional extra which you may want to look into if you plan on driving your Go for a long time. If you think the Go might be the car for you, do read Martin Pretorius’s in-depth first drive impression here.

Contender no. 2: The Renault Kwid 1.0 Dynamique, R141 900 (new)

Unfortunately the Kwid doesn’t come near the new Datsun go where safety features are concerned, where they previously were on an even keel. The Kwid still has no ABS, and only one airbag. In the lighting-department, there are no daytime running lamps either, just the high-level brake light at the back. The Dynamique variant is better equipped than the Expression variant, but this only affects the number of convenience features. You can have a look at Chad Luckhoff’s video review of the Kwid here.

Verdict

As Martin says: Rather than making the Go’s low price “its only virtue, it adds some real value to Datsun’s recipe for affordable motoring.”

The latest upgrade sees a real improvement in the Go’s overall quality, inside and out. The Kwid has got its work cut out if it wants to compete with the new Go. Personally, I won’t even give the Kwid a second look. If you can afford to spend a few more bucks and you have your heart set on a Renault, the Sandero (from R179 900) is a much better buy, and is comprehensively specced for its price, especially where safety is concerned.  However, it’s quite a big jump, price wise, from the Kwid to the Sandero, so I would suggest buying the Datsun Go if this is how far your budget stretches.