[bblost]

The Datsun Go has been launched in India at a price of between Rs. 3.12 - 3.69 lakhs (ex-Delhi).

What you'll like:

• Clean, inoffensive styling that will please all & offend none
• The Go is a size bigger than its direct competitors. Evident on the inside & outside
• 1.2L engine results in the segment best power & torque-to-weight ratios
• Urban ride quality is superior to most other entry level hatchbacks
• Light driving controls & small turning radius make it well suited as a city car
• Large 265 liter boot is very accommodating
• Features such as follow me home headlamps, full MID & speed-sensitive wipers

What you won't:

• Cost cutting is obvious, especially with the interiors
• Too noisy. Overall NVH levels are rather poor
• Datsun is an unknown brand & Nissan's after-sales service is substandard
• No ABS or Airbags offered on any variant
• Awful 155 mm Strada brand Tyres
• The Micra Active costs 3.5 lakhs. Too close, especially from an EMI perspective
• Missing essentials (glovebox lid, retractable rear seatbelts, ORVM adjustment stalk, day/night IRVM, proper head-unit)

[bblost]

India is a hatchback country. In February 2014, hatchbacks accounted for over 54% of all cars sold here. (Source). The cheapest hatchbacks are categorised into The A-Segment, whose customers are primarily first-time car owners. Interestingly though, with rising income levels & easier finance, the B-segment has overtaken the A-segment in terms of cars sold. Still, there are over 30,000 A-segment cars moving every month. It's a price sensitive market and should ideally see a lot of competition....but it doesn't. The Maruti Alto hovers over all other models like some mystical cloud. The other players include the Tata Nano, Chevy Spark, Hyundai Eon and Santro.

Enter the Go. Datsun's comeback car is trying to carve a separate niche for itself by offering the space of a B-segmenter at A-segment prices. A difficult task, but they have built a car that is seriously bigger than the direct competition. The only other hatchback to offer a roomy cabin in the same price point is the 1st-gen Indica. Take a look at this comparison shot with the Spark to put its size in perspective:


The century old Datsun brand has been resurrected by Nissan for the emerging markets of India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa. Nissan now has 3 different brands under its umbrella: The low cost Datsun, the mid-range Nissan and the premium Infiniti. Nissan's brand differentiation strategy might be effective in other countries, notably Infiniti in the USA, but we aren't sure of its India positioning. Datsun is being marketed as a budget brand on one hand. On the other, Nissan's own Micra Active (NOT a low cost hatchback) has a starting price of 3.5 lakhs!

In what is a positive development, Nissan has announced that it will be managing Datsun sales & marketing directly, and not via its earlier outsourcing arrangement with Hover (more on the dispute). Datsun cars will be sold in existing Nissan showrooms. For locations where Nissan has no presence, Datsun might open standalone stores. This is definitely a beneficial move in the longer term. Convincing first-time buyers is going to require marketing brilliance though. Drawing risk averse 3-lakh rupee customers away from strong brands such as Maruti & Hyundai is a formidable task. Datsun is hardly known in urban India and a complete stranger in rural segments! We feel that Datsun missed an opportunity at becoming a game-changer. No one else sells a diesel in this segment; to truly differentiate from the Marutis & Hyundais of the world, the Go should have had an oil-burner under its hood. Also, the company shouldn't harp too much about its 'low cost' brand positioning. See what that image did to the Nano! Maruti never refers to the Alto as a low cost car, no matter how cheap it might be.

The hatchback's name is clearly inspired by the first Datsun, the DAT-GO of 1914. The Go also has a sibling called the Go+, an MPV based on the same platform (Related Link). The 7 seater MPV will be arriving at our shores soon.

The Datsun brand makes its re-entry first in India, and the Go's production is already underway at Nissan-Renault's Chennai plant. There will be 3 major variants on offer, D (base variant), A (middle) and T (top trim level). Simple styling cues shall differentiate them. Strangely, only the T variant is equipped with convenience features such as power steering & front power windows. Unfortunately, no variant gets safety features such as airbags & ABS.

The Go is based on Nissan's "V" platform (same as the Micra). Looks well proportioned. Its external dimensions place it in the B1/B2 segment, rather than the A segment:


The front of the car is very stylish. The D-cut grill gives it a nice character:


Clean, yet contemporary rear. Notice the absence of any variant badging:


Also missing is the ability to open the hatchback from the outside:


With a bumper-to-bumper length of 3,785 mm, the Go is a fairly long hatch. It is just 6.5 cms shorter than the Maruti Swift:


On the Hyderabad ORR, the Go was able to easily attain & sustain the speed limit of 120 kph:


The car doesn't stand out at all. We drove through heavily congested city roads and no one gave it a second look. This isn't usually the case with an unlaunched model:


Single double-arm wiper. Not sure how effective it will be in heavy rain. Click here for a closer look at the arrangement:


The headlamps are adequate. They offer a segment first "Follow Me Home" feature whereby they remain illuminated for a while, after you switch off the car, to help you find your way home. The duration they stay illuminated depends on how many times you pull the headlamp flasher (once = 30 seconds, twice = 60 seconds, thrice = 90 seconds, 4 times = 120 seconds):


No foglamps, not even on the top variant:


ORVMs aren't body coloured. Worse still, they don't offer internal adjustment. It was a pain to roll down the window, stretch and set them up:


Ol' fashioned pull-up door handles. No remote locking / unlocking:


Top-end T variant gets black steel rims with a plastic cover (not alloys). Indonesian 155/70 R13 Strada tyres are too puny. Also notice the empty space between the wheel and arches:


Light roof is ribbed to enhance structural strength. One of the many ways in which Datsun shaved kilos for a kerb weight of only 769:


Rear windows retract nearly all the way in. The A and T variants get blackened B pillars:


Blackened C pillar styling cue on all variants:


A close look at the tail-lamps. The Go has a single reversing light (on the left side cluster):


Nice, big 3rd brake light:


Neutral, smooth lines that won't offend anyone. The Eon's radical styling didn't strike a chord with entry-level buyers, so this is possibly an advantage:


Tail-pipe suffers excessive vibration & movement when the engine is idling. Exhaust has a free flow'ish kind of melody to it. Rear passengers get to enjoy this while being driven around:


Ground clearance (170 mm) is satisfactory. We put in 3 healthy adults...


...threw the car over nasty surfaces...


...and it passed the test with flying colours:


H-u-g-e panel gaps everywhere:


An ill-fitted plastic panel, at the bottom of the windscreen:


A parting shot. 4 colour options - White, Silver, Sky Blue & Brick Red (our test car). This shade looks far better than the sky blue that Datsun used on all the Go promotional cars so far:

[bblost]

Interiors - Front

Unlike the neutral exteriors, it's a mixed bag on the inside.

Shut the door and you'll be surprised at just how light & tinny it feels. The dashboard will inevitably divide opinion. Parrys found it acceptable, but I didn't like the design. Interior quality is good by segment standards. Fit & finish are better than the Alto, although the Eon's interiors are superior. The Go is built on a tight budget and there's no escaping the cost cutting.

Forget the Alto, the Go's wheelbase is longer than that of the Swift! This results in respectable space front & back...a significant advantage over most other A-segment hatchbacks. The cabin also feels bright & airy. The front seats might be thin, yet they offer decent support. By economy hatch standards, the seats are adequate. However, push yourself hard into the seat and you can feel its metal frame! As is the norm with budget cars, the front seats have integrated neck restraints (non-adjustable). Driver visibility is satisfactory.

In what is a unique proposition, the front seats are connected to each other. Good thing that the cabin is noticeably wider than its competitors. The driver's chair has a conventional design, it's the front passenger's seat that has an extension to fill the gap. Datsun calls this 'almost bench' as 'Connect Seats', and claims that the area in between is useful for placing knickknacks & handbags. Apparently, it also helps drivers slide out from the passenger side when the car is parked in tight spots (although the LHS door doesn't have a keyhole). In India, you can expect the showroom salesperson to use this USP & sell the Go as an unofficial 6-seater (à la Padmini & Ambassador). No, it's no possible for 3 adults to sit at the front. Bad idea to place a child there too as it won't be protected by a seatbelt. Ergonomically, if both seats are aligned together, the driver's elbow feels awkward. Move the passenger seat forward and it makes matters worse. Pushing the passenger seat behind improves things, but at the cost of rear legroom.

The steering wheel is comfortable to use. Do note that it's a fixed steering with no adjustment options (most people will have no issues with its placement & angle). The horn is a cheap single-tone unit. Just like in the Hyundai i10, the gear lever is mounted on the center console. The position is ergonomic for some, not for all. Check in person if it works for you. The footwell is spacious enough & the clutch action is light. Because there is no space between the front seats, the handbrake is mounted on the center console. It has a 'pull & twist' design and feels rather utilitarian to use. Bigger drivers will complain that the handbrake rubs against their left leg when driving. Of course, those who've driven the antique Toyota Qualis will feel at home.

Despite all the cost cutting, the Datsun Go has a proper MID. It has a digital tachometer, distance to empty counter, odometer, tripmeter and data on average / real-time fuel economy. The control stalks are borrowed from the Micra. Of all the parts in the cabin, these have the best finish. What's more, the wipers vary their sweep-rate based on the car's speed. The top variant is equipped with central locking & front power windows. Unfortunately, the driver's door doesn't have a button to control the passenger window, as is usually the case. What really gets my goat is the lack of any kind of internal adjustment for the wing mirrors. To adjust the ORVMs, you have to roll the window down, stretch and move the mirror with your finger.

The Go's music system is unique. It comprises of a cellphone docking station, AUX input (the only audio input available), a USB port to charge your mobile (over and above a 12v power socket located not too far away) and 2 speakers on the front doors. Volume control is provided on the ICE, but there is no radio. You can play music or any content from your mobile phone. The AUX takes the music, you can make calls and even listen to voice navigation from your Google Maps. A simple, low cost solution that is future ready. If you want to upgrade your head-unit, satellite navigation or video player, simply buy a new mobile phone! The only constraint is that the cellphone should weigh <160 gms. The dock can be swiveled horizontally or vertically. Its build quality doesn't inspire much confidence.

The air-conditioner vents are a straight lift from the Micra. Cooling capability is adequate and the cabin was kept at a comfortable temperature. The rotary A/C controls are extremely flimsy to the touch though, and the fan is noisy at all speeds.

In terms of storage, the glovebox is deep, but it doesn't have a cover! This error was eventually corrected in the Nissan Evalia, how much does a lid cost anyways? The front doors have bottle holders & storage pockets. Then, there's two cubby holes to the right of the steering wheel.

3-spoke steering wheel is comfortable to use. Big horn pad, meek single-tone horn:


A low cost solution that might actually work = Gearshift points printed on the speedometer:


Full MID has a digital tachometer, distance to empty counter, average / real-time fuel economy, odometer, trip-meter etc.




Micra control stalks have good finish. Wipers vary their sweep-rate based on the car's speed:


In-Car-Entertainment redefined:


Docking port for your cellphone which is the music source:


Effective air-conditioner. Knobs are of poor quality:


Rotary air-vents from the Micra. You can direct the airflow anyway you like. Even if you shut them completely, some amount of air does manage to escape through:


Gear lever mounted on the center console. Shifts are short + notchy:


Footwell is clean, pedals adequately spaced out. No dead pedal:


Front door with bottle holder & door pocket. The driver doesn't get a button to control the passenger's power window. Stretching exercise at toll booths?


Thin seats provide decent support:


Extended front passenger seat is unique:


If the seat is moved forward, there's not much space between it and the gear lever:


Not possible for 3 adults to sit at the front:


Proper retractable seatbelts for front seat occupants only:


To engage the parking brake, pull the lever out. Twist to the left to release:


Rotary, cable-operated headlamp leveler:


Deep glovebox, cover missing (this mistake was eventually corrected in the Nissan Evalia). To its credit, the lack of a lid does release more kneeroom for the front passenger. Holes inside have nothing to do with the HVAC; a Datsun engineer commented that it helps in fabricating the part:


No covered storage spots in the Go. Two cubby holes to the right of the steering...


...and one on top of the dashboard:


Despite the mirror being adequate, rear visibility is hopeless and only provides a limited view of the action behind. There is no day / night mode either:


The driver's rearward view. Thick C pillars:


ORVMs do a better job:


Cabin lamp at the front only. Also, the rear doors don't have any switch that connects them to this light:


Simple sunvisor. No vanity mirror:


Key with Datsun logo:

[bblost]

Interiors - Rear

The Go's rear seat offers best-in-class space. Where most of its competitors are cramped, this Datsun has adequate room for 3 adults! Even with the front seat set up for a 5'10" driver, there was just enough legroom to avoid feeling claustrophobic. Of course, as is the case with most budget cars, the back seat is better for 2 than 3. Still, at the time that the Go is carrying 5, those passengers will be better off than in an Alto, Spark or Eon.

On the flip side, the seat is flat and its cushioning super soft. This is good for support over short trips, not long. I also didn't like the fact that the neck restraints (headrests) are actually bendable; they'll be of no use in avoiding whiplash injuries. Further, there are no storage pockets or cubicles at all for rear passengers. Lastly, the front connect seats block some air-conditioner flow to the back, and the driver will have to adjust the air-vents higher than usual to keep the cabin's rear comfortable.

Boot space is fantastic at 265 liters and it has a practical layout. Additionally, the rear seat can be folded down to increase the cargo capacity. The boot can be opened only from inside the car, not outside. Over and above the conventional 'boot release' lever (placed to the right of the driver's seat), a tiny lever is provided on the inside of the tail-gate too.

The rear doors open wide. Getting in is a breeze:


Similar in design to the front door, but no speakers or storage pockets:


Wide seat. As a result, 3 adults can be seated more comfortably than in other A-segment cars:


Minimum / maximum legroom:


That is Parrys (5'8") sitting with the front seat set up for a 5'10" driver. I am a little taller than Parrys; my knees were closer to the front seat, but it was not very uncomfortable:


A thin & tall floor hump:


Padded area at the base of the front seat. Good for the shin area of rear passengers:


The seat fabric is of acceptable quality:


An almost perfect square. Window rolls nearly all the way down:


Rear seat has 3 non-retractable seatbelts. You get a hook to hang them on. I have a feeling most people won't use these seatbelts...some may actually cut them up and throw them away. They are horrible to use, and always get in the way:




Bigger boot than the direct competition:


With the rear seat folded down, you can carry a lot of stuff in this hatchback:


Poor quality of the base is a letdown. That small sheet of particle board doesn't look or feel strong:


In the blue pouch is the reflective safety triangle. Tool kit located under the driver's seat:

[bblost]

Factory warranty of 2 years / unlimited kms:


The Datsun Go is only available with a petrol engine. This is the same 3-cylinder 1.2L motor as the Micra & Pulse, running the same tune as the Micra Active. Compared to the Micra facelift, the Go & Micra Active have a lower power rating of 67 BHP @ 5000 rpm (Micra facelift = 76 BHP @ 6000 rpm). All of the hatchbacks (Go, Micra Active, Micra facelift & Pulse) make an identical 104 Nm of torque @ 4000 rpm. Datsun says this motor has been tuned for higher fuel efficiency (ARAI rating = 20.63 kpl). Also, unlike most of its competitors, the Go utilises an electronic throttle (Drive by wire).

The Go's engine has a size advantage. All of the other A-segment hatchbacks are powered by 0.8 - 1.1 liter petrols. It's power to weight ratio of 87 BHP / Ton is on par with the Alto K10, and noticeably higher than the Alto 800, Eon, Santro & WagonR. Additionally, the Go's torque to weight ratio of 135 Nm / Ton is the best in class.

Typical of 3-cylinder engines, there is a lot of shake & vibration at idle. It's nowhere as refined as the Micra facelift 1.2L. The cost cutting on the Datsun Go is evident here. Everything shakes when the car is idling; keep the door open and you'll see it shivering. Even the tail-pipe does quite the dance! Important to note that these vibrations reduce with accelerator input. They disappear once you start moving.

Thanks to the healthy power & torque to weight ratios, the engine feels reasonably peppy and throttle response is decent too. Driveability is competent by A-segment standards. It doesn't feel sluggish, although you'll need to stick to lower gears for spirited acceleration. It is significantly quicker in the dash to 100 than the likes of the Alto 800 & Eon, and about on par with the Alto K10. On the Hyderabad ORR, the Go was able to easily attain & sustain the 120 kph speed limit. Due to the car's basic mechanicals, we don't recommend going over that speed.

On the flip side, the 1.2L engine isn't very revv happy. It sounds strained & trashy at high rpm (nice exhaust note though). The typical 3-cylinder thrum is also evident as you climb up the rpm counter. The engine sounds rough and heavy acceleration only makes it worse. Cost cutting in the NVH & insulation department is obvious. Engine and wind noise permeate through the cabin, even drowning out the ICE. The suspension is noisy, accompanied by excessive tyre noise on imperfect roads.

The gearbox has a notchy side to it. The short throws are adequately defined and we didn't encounter a single mis-shift over our drive. The hydraulic clutch is a delight in traffic; it has very little play and is light to operate. The hydraulic fluid for the clutch shares the same reservoir that also holds the brake fluid.

The suspension offers a decent ride for an entry-level hatchback. It's compliant, not plush, and there is an underlying firmness present. The Go handles all road conditions - save for large potholes & bumps - well enough. It's a composed ride for front passengers; on imperfect roads at speed, the rear does bounce about, but it's still better than most of its competitors. Datsun claims that the Go has a long travel suspension with 'high response' linear dampers.

The light controls make it a breeze to drive within the city. The small turning radius of 4.6 meters helps maneuverability in crowded areas. The steering is light enough at low speeds, noticeably weighing up on the highway. It doesn't feel too nervous or unsure at 100 kph, as some electronic steerings do (e.g. Hyundai's). Handling is as expected of a budget city hatchback. It's neutral under regular driving conditions. No, the Go isn't a corner carver and wasn't meant to be one either. At higher speeds, the car does feels wafty and, on uneven highways, becomes bouncy at the rear. A quick lane change caused the rear to slide around, but it quickly regained its composure. We recommend driving the Datsun sedately. Those 155 mm tyres are too puny for the Go. Plus, they are manufactured by an unknown Strada brand (link). Upgrading them to a 175 size from a reputable manufacturer will probably be the best investment you make.

The Go has ventilated discs at the front. The brakes are adequate for the most part. Under hard braking though, the car feels very nervous. Thin tyres & no ABS means the tyres lock up easily under pressure. Again, drive the Go sedately & upgrade the cheap, puny tyres.



Battery tray borrowed from a larger car?


Lots of Nissan badging in here:


Fuel Tank capacity of 35 liters:

[bblost]

The Smaller yet Significant Things

Jack & tool kit are located under the driver's seat:


Something the Eon has, and the Alto lacks. Proper tow hook inside the front bumper:


The Connected Seat interferes with the driver's elbow:


Empty space at the floor level (front). You can move from one side of the seat to the other, without lifting your feet too much:


Instrument panel is legible even in low light conditions:


Door metal is of the super thin variety:



Over & above the USB charger, there is a 12v power socket provided as well:


Sun visor is too small to be useful:


No grab handles at the front (they are there at the rear):


OBD Port under the dashboard. Next to it is the archaic pull-type bonnet release:


Hook to hold the floor mat in place:


Nissan parts all over the car...


...including the spare wheel cover:


Soft foam of the rear seat headrest. Easy to squeeze & bend!


Tail-gate gets no cladding inside...


...yet it does have a secondary 'unlock lever':


Empty placeholder for the steering's rake adjustment? A plastic panel should have filled this space up:


Pictures of 2 other body shades:




A peek inside the Datsun Factory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9Fncuw06Mg

• Thanks to Parrys for accompanying me on this drive, additional observations & shooting all the pictures.

• Disclaimer : Datsun invited Team-BHP for the Go test-drive. They covered all the travel expenses for this driving event.

[bblost]

Chief Competitors of the Datsun Go

Hyundai Eon:

What you’ll like:
• Great looking, modern design for 3 lakhs. Makes other budget cars look outdated
• Best-in-class interior quality, fit & finish. Excellent air-conditioner too
• Many segment first features (driver airbag, tilt steering, gear indicator etc.)
• Frugal 3 cylinder petrol engine delivers high fuel efficiency
• Big 215 liter boot has a practical layout
• Hyundai's excellent after-sales service

What you won’t:
• Shaky, vibrating gear lever at all speeds. Overall NVH is unimpressive
• Pricing is too close to other 4 cylinder hatchbacks (including the Santro). Top variant overpriced @ 3.71 lakh
• Ordinary commuter engine that doesn't really impress in any particular area
• Steering is too light & sensitive at highway speeds
• Hyundai's service costs are usually higher than that of the competition

Maruti Alto 800:

What you’ll like:
• A much improved Alto at the same price point
• F8D engine has excellent driveability & fuel economy. Neat gearshift too
• Comfortable ride quality. Soft suspension is absorbent
• Convenient city car: Light, agile & easy to drive
• Effective air-conditioner
• Driver-side airbag & factory fitted CNG kit available
• Maruti's excellent after-sales service & fuss free ownership experience

What you won’t:
• Cramped rear bench. Also, the seatback is very short
• Thin, budget seats offer basic levels of support
• CNG kit for base variant costs a hefty Rs. 75,000 (LXi's CNG kit is a realistic Rs. 57,000)
• Mediocre expressway competence. Best driven <100 kph
• Puny 145 mm tyres. An upgrade is highly recommended
• Lacks the design appeal of the Hyundai Eon

Maruti Alto K10:

What you’ll like:
• Power! 67 BHP in a 760 kg kerb weight car
• Thoroughly fun-to-drive hatchback
• Maruti Suzuki's 1.0 L K10 engine feels mature in this car
• NVH levels are surprisingly low for a 3-cylinder engine
• High fuel efficiency

What you won’t:
• Basic in nature, inside out
• Cramped interiors
• Small boot
• High speed handling & significant under-steer
• Lifeless steering

Chevrolet Spark:

What you’ll like:
• Cheeky and youthful styling
• Good build quality
• Fuel-efficient engine
• Balanced ride and handling package
• Fun to drive nature

What you won’t:
• Inflated price tag
• Dull interiors
• Lack of rear bench space
• Inconsistent GM service

Hyundai Santro:

What you’ll like:
• An all-round urban hatchback
• Torquey and fuel-efficient engine
• Tall-boy benefits such as easy ingress, extra head-room etc
• High quality interiors
• Excellent Hyundai service

What you won’t:
• Outdated. Long in the tooth now
• Lackluster highway performance
• Bumpy ride quality
• Hard compound seats

Tata Nano:

What you’ll like:
• Uniquely cute & cool styling. A car that will make you smile
• Innovative packaging results in spacious interiors for 4 adults. Generous legroom & headroom
• Peppy performance at speeds <80 kph. Engine offers good urban driveability too
• Small footprint & tiny turning radius make it immensely chuckable within the city
• Powerful air-conditioner will chill you to the bone
• 2014 Nano sees a lot of customer feedback being incorporated
• A proper car starting at a price of 1.40 lakhs only

What you won’t:
• Struggles on steep ghats (inclines) with passengers onboard. Will give up in some stop-go hilly conditions
• Missing essentials (openable rear hatch, front disc brakes). Boot has a limited 80 liter capacity
• Low cost nature & quality are glaringly obvious
• Very heavy steering at parking speeds (non-PS variant)
• Image of the "cheapest car in India / the world"
• Niggling problems as reported by existing Tata Nano owners
• Tata's sub-par after sales service experience

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to Official Reviews. Thanks for sharing.

Rating thread a well-deserved 5 stars!

[HyperRetard]

An awesome review. :clap

The styling and the space are its biggest USPs.
Can see the Alto sales being hit. By how much, I cant say.
But this has rendered the Micra useless.
Though they should've tried and made the wheel arches smaller.

[shk 8896]

Superb review BBlost. I like the front end design of the car. Somehow the rear is a bit odd with small windows, large door and el-cheapo plastic cladding on C-pillar.
I am still waiting for global NCAP crash test of the car and has a strong feeling of getting poor rating.
The interiors of the car makes me feel like its the Etios of A segment.
Really waiting forward to see how the public receives the car.
Sreehari

[FINTAIL]

Indeed! An excellent review.

I checked the car (Contraption, do I say) out myself, and do I approve of it?

NO. Simply, because, the whole thing lacks quality, absolutely reeks of cost cutting, and does not have a characterful engine.

The comparable K10B engine is superior by a mile ,I say. Atleast, it has VVT (On the intake side) + is all-aluminium.

So, methinks, a WagonR or say, a Celerio is actually better. Also, the low kerb weight, cheap built quality et al....

Well, did you wonder about the crash test scores?

And, where are the fog lamps, fellow?, I asked the salesman. The guy was not able to answer.

So, A Mediocre Sales + Awful Product + Uncertain Service = A perfect recipe for disaster.

Compared to all this nonsense, atleast, the Sales+Service of MSIL & Hyundai is better by miles.

Less said, the better. The Eon or WagonR it is!

No cheers!

[BusyBoyKK]

Crisp review Bblost and Parrys. Thank you!

Nissan seems to have clearly aimed the cabbie's segment. Bring on a diesel engine and it will be another Indicab in the making. Would be interesting to see how it would fare in terms of structural integrity. But overall a nice product, you get what you pay for.

[torque!!]

Looks good. I hope the Indian consumer compares cars and buys one that suits him best and is good value for his money rather than going with our National Brand out of the consideration that it offers the best and cheapest service and lowest running cost.

[S_U_N]

Great attention to detail. Rated 5 stars
This car is best suited for the taxi segment if it can come with CNG/ diesel option. The rear bench is pretty good.

As someone who has been looking at Nano or EON as a second car for city usage, this car is a no-Go for me. I think Nano looks more VFM after reading this review.


Just one note about the EON mentioned in the "competitors" section. The gear lever vibration issue was sorted out in 2013. So please remove that from the negative points. Several members have already confirmed that in various other threads.

[theredliner]

Excellent review.
This car excels in space in this segment. But I won't even take a second look at it due to the ultra poor feel of it.
The price of 3.7L for the top model is too much when something like Figo base model is available at 3.9L. The build of Figo is kilometres ahead. Let's see how the market considers it.