Gone are the days that the big family wanted a long-booted sedan. Enter the MPV. This is one segment that has attracted a lot of attention among car buyers. As veterans like the Toyota Innova, Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio, and Chevrolet Tavera have all done quite well, new cars like Renault Lodgy, Tata Aria, and Chevrolet Enjoy are slowly climbing up the sale charts.
Datsun’s own offering
Datsun’s own offering – the Datsun Go Plus – is an extension of their hatchback model, the Go.
Price
Starting at just Rs.3.96 lacs for the cheapest variant and only going as far as Rs.5 lacs for the top one, Datsun has worked to make it the most affordable MPV.
Engine
Datsun Go plus comes with a single-engine option. The petrol engine is an 1198 cc unit that puts out 67 BHP with a maximum torque of 104 Nm at 4000 pm. It is the same engine that is used to power the hatchback version. Whether the larger MPV can work on this small engine is an apprehension. There is no diesel variant being launched any time soon. The MPV promises a mileage of 20.62 km pl.
How does it look from the outside?
Datsun has worked on the exterior of the hatchback and the MPV looks like a stretched version of the Go Plus. From the front, it looks a lot like the hatch itself. The grille, the headlight cluster, and the bonnet lines are pretty much the same. The side profile looks a lot different, though.
The interiors
As for the interiors, the cabin is large and roomy with a slightly cramped, third row. The third row has poor under-thigh and legroom support. Datsun has come out with a not-so-frilly and basic dashboard. The lack of any modern-day gadgets and technology may be a little concern for the tech-savvy driver. Even the top-end variants do not come with airbags or ABS. The ride and handling, though, are surprising of an acceptable standard. The boot space is 480 Litre with all 3 rows up and 347 Litres when 2 rows up.
What is similar to the Datsun Go and Go Plus MPV?
- Same 1.2 Litre engine with same power output, torque, and mileage
- Body curb weight – the difference is just 3% – but with retuned engine same power, pep
- Same shoulder room, headroom, under-thigh support
- Same interior fit, finish, features in variants too
The Datsun Go Plus comes across as an affordable option, and it comes without some features that are standard nowadays. But in a market, it could well garner both interest and sales and have a long way to go.