The Datsun Go is the only car in the segment to get a CVT automatic gearbox while all other rivals use a cost-effective AMT gearbox. Let’s see how they fare on paper.
Datsun recently introduced an automatic gearbox option for the Go budget hatchback. Now this automatic gearbox is a CVT unit, making it the only hatchback in this segment with a CVT gearbox while all other rivals use a cost-effective AMT gearbox. Datsun has been consistently updating the Go over the past one year, first with a mid-life facelift and then even introduced what it calls Vehicle Dynamic Control, which essentially makes it the most affordable car in India with Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control.
The Datsun Go automatic was launched in India at a price of Rs 5.94-6.18 lakh, ex-showroom. It competes against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Hyundai Santro and Tata Tiago – all of which use AMT gearboxes. So we decided to draw a comparison on paper to see how the Datsun Go fares against its rivals
Dimensions
| Datsun Go | Maruti Wagon R | Hyundai Santro | Tata Tiago | |
| Length | 3788mm | 3655mm | 3610mm | 3746mm |
| Width | 1636mm | 1620mm | 1645mm | 1647mm |
| Height | 1507mm | 1675mm | 1560mm | 1535mm |
| Wheelbase | 2450mm | 2435mm | 2400mm | 2400mm |
| Kerb Weight | 913 kg | 845 kg | 898 kg | 1029 kg |
| Tyre Size | 165/70 R14 | 165/70 R14 | 155/80 R13-165/70 R14 | 175/65 R14-175/60 R15 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 35 Liters | 32 Liters | 35 Liters | 35 Liters |
As we can see from the table, the Datsun Go is the longest of the lot, both in terms of length and wheelbase. However, the widest car here in the Tata Tiago, just edging out slightly ahead of the Hyundai Santro. Staying true to its tall-boy name, the Maruti WagonR is the tallest car here. In terms of weight, the Go is actually the lightest while the Tiago is the heaviest of the lot, weighing above a tonne.
Now about the wheel sizes of these cars, all these cars mostly comes with 14-inch wheels but the Tata Tiago comes with 15-inch alloy wheels in the top-spec automatic variant. The Go also comes with 14-inch alloy wheels for its top-spec model. comparing the fuel tank sizes, all cars get a fuel tank of 35 liters while the WagoR gets a tad small at 32 liters.
Powertrain Configurations
| Datsun Go | Maruti WagonR | Hyundai Santro | Tata Tiago | |
| Engine | 3 cyl, 1198 cc | 4 cyl, 1197 cc | 4 cyl, 1086 cc | 3 cyl, 1199 cc |
| Power | 77 bhp | 83 bhp | 69 bhp | 85 bhp |
| Torque | 104 Nm | 113 Nm | 99 Nm | 114 Nm |
| Power to Weight | 84.34bhp/tonnne | 98.81bhp/tonne | 76.84bhp/tonne | 83.01bhp/tonne |
| Gearbox | CVT | 5-speed AMT | 5-speed AMT | 5-speed AMT |
| ARAI mileage | 20.7 kpl | 20.52 kpl | 20.3 kpl | 22.27 kpl |
| Range | 702.45 km | 656.64 km | 710.5 km | 779.45 km |
On paper, the Tata Tiago has the most powerful engine, only marginally more than the one on the WagonR inspite of being down on one cylinder from the latter. The Hyundai Santro has the smallest engine and thus it produces the least power and torque figures.
Coming to the gearboxes of these cars, it is only the Datsun Go which gets a CVT gearbox while all others use a 5-speed AMT gearbox. Another interesting fact to note is that the Go CVT is more powerful by 9 bhp than its manual counterpart, although the torque figure remains the same.
However, looking at the power-to-weight ratios, it is the Maruti WagonR that comes out on top. That is because the WagonR is the lightest car of the lot. The Tiago and the Go follow closely while the WagonR comes last. Comparing the fuel efficiency figures of these cars, the Tata Tiago is the most fuel efficient with an ARAI rated 22.27 kpl. However, the WagonR has yet another advantage here, being the only BS-VI compliant engine and also having the option of a smaller 1.0 Liter engine that also comes with the AMT gearbox.
Also Read : Maruti Suzuki S Presso vs Hyundai Santro – Specification Comparison
Features and Equipment
All of these being budget cars come decently well equipped for their prices. As standard, all cars gets their respective 7.0 inch touchscreen infotainment systems with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. Apart from that, the Tata Tiago stands out for getting automatic climate controls, 8-speakers, power folding ORVMs, rear parking camera and optional dual-tone paint scheme.
The Datsun Go on the other hand stands out for being the only vehicle with traction control and Electronic Stability Control, in addition to standard safety kit such as dual front airbags and ABS. Another interesting thing to note here would be that all the cars expect for the Santro get the automatic gearbox option in their top-spec, fully loaded trim. The Santro on the other hand gets the automatic gearbox option on a mid-spec variant and hence misses out on some features.
Also Read : Hyundai Grand i10 Nios vs Rivals – Engine Specifications against Swift and Figo!
Prices
| Datsun Go | Maruti WagonR | Hyundai Santro | Tata Tiago | |
| Prices | Rs. 5.94-6.18 lakh | Rs. 5.57-5.91 lakh | Rs. 5.26-5.65 lakh | Rs. 5.75-6.37 lakh |
Looking at the prices, the Datsun Go Automatic has a higher starting price than its rivals but that’s understandable as the Go gets a CVT gearbox. Also, the Tiago automatic tops out with the highest price inspite of having an AMT but it also gets a fair amount of equipment for that price. The Hyundai Santro being a mid-spec variant is the cheapest of the lot while the WagonR sits just in between all of these.
