Datsun’s Go had a facelift and a major re-engineering program that was launched towards the end of last year. The new car features a redesigned roof structure as well as other body-stiffening measures, and it feels a lot more solid than the earlier Go models.
This firming-up process followed on the re-launch of the Go range a year earlier, when the little Datsun hatch featured a re-design of the front end, the fitting of dual airbags and ABS brakes to all model derivatives, smart alloy wheels on the Lux model and a 7-inch touch screen that now offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone compatibility.
The new Go Lux Auto
The big news at the late-2019 launch was the introduction of the new Go Lux Auto, which features a CVT gearbox. I can still hear groans all around the country whenever a CVT gearbox is mentioned, due to the droning nature of these devices. However, the Go’s CVT gearbox is actually quite well-suited to the car, and it would not be surprising if the CVT Auto model became the most popular Go model derivative in the next couple of years.
The Go is targeted at new, first-time buyers.
Like the Renault Kwid, the Datsun Go is targeted at first-time buyers, and like the Kwid, the Datsun Go also offers free insurance for the first year of ownership, although Nissan marketers don’t shout about this nearly as much they should.
However, the Go also appeals to more mature drivers who want a simple no-fuss car at a low price. In this respect, the Datsun Go’s pricing has risen steadily since it was launched a few years back, in 2014. There again, the price hikes have been due largely to inflation, and the Go is now a much more sophisticated car in terms of safety.
The Datsun Go range.
The current Datsun Go range consists of 3 models. The range kicks off the Datsun Go 1.2 Mid, which sells for R162 300. This entry model still comes with important features like ABS braking, dual airbags, air-conditioning, and a 7-inch touchscreen. It lacks an analogue rev-counter (but it does have a digital rev-counter). Appearance-wise, it has a rather plain non-chrome grille surround and steel wheels with wheel caps.
The Datsun Go 1.2Lux offers a number of extra features and sells for R173 600. It has all the safety features that the Mid has, as well as vehicle dynamic control, which assists in correcting any skidding that may take place during sudden manoeuvres. Its appearance is a big plus point, as the chrome grille surround brightens things up considerably, as do the 14-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The Go 1.2 Lux also offers a digital clock and LED daytime running lights, as well as a rear screen wipe-washer function. The 1.2 Lux, like its 1.2-Mid sibling, comes with a 5-speed gearbox to help stir along the 3-cylinder 50 kW engine.
The Datsun Go 1.2 Lux Auto costs R188 300 and comes with the CVT gearbox described earlier, which means it has just the two pedals, one for acceleration and one for braking. In testing the Go 1.2 Auto we found this “gearless” transmission was quite well-suited to the small car with its modest power output. To alleviate the droning often associated with CVT transmissions, which tend to hold a constant engine speed when hard acceleration is called for, the Go Lux Auto driver soon learns to monetarily life his or her foot to drop the revs. By gently re-applying accelerator pressure, the gearbox will hold the desired rate of speed or acceleration at lower revs. As for features, the Auto has the same spec as the manual Lux model.
Which Datsun Go will hold its value best?
It is early days for the revised Go range, as the updates were only introduced in late November last year. However, low mileage demo models are already offered for sale on AutoTrader, and currently we list close to 400 New and Used Datsun Go models for sale on our site.
In entry level cars particularly, price is king, and the 1.2 Mid models seem to hold their value well. However, as the Lux specification offers such good value for a relatively small price increase, and plays a big role in brightening up the Datsun Go’s appearance, we would opt for one of the Go 1.2 Lux models. That CVT Automatic model may well prove to be the most popular seller in the years ahead, but it is relatively expensive in this entry-level market. For now, we predict that the Go 1.2 Lux in 5-speed manual form will hold its value best.
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Datsun Go 1.2 Lux Auto (2020) review: Seamless shifting in a Go.
Constant velocity in a Datsun Go