Datsun Redigo Review

Greetings Everyone I’m Siddharth Lal here with my first review on 800cc A segment hatchback “Datsun Redi-Go”. Datsun is an automobile brand owned by Nissan, Datsun’s original production run began in 1931. From 1958 to 1986, only vehicles exported by Nissan were identified as Datsun. By 1986 Nissan had phased out the Datsun name, but re-launched it in 2013 as the brand for low-cost vehicles manufactured for emerging markets. Datsun Go was the first car offering from Datsun followed by Go+ and now the Redi-Go. The car uses the same platform as the previously-launched Renault Kwid, the Renault-Nissan Common Module Family (CMF-A), with the same powertrain, Redi-Go is a 800cc petrol engine entry-level crossover with a 54 Bhp power output and 72 Nm torque coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. A crossover vehicle is based on a car’s platform possessing few characteristics of a SUV. My review is based on my last week’s test drive of the Redi-Go arranged by Kaizen Nissan Showroom (Okhla, New Delhi). So i’ll start with my review, do post your valuable suggestions and comments below. 

The All New Datsun Redi-Go

📷The actual colour may appear different

Features:

Click on the images to see a full clear view

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Exterior Styling:

The Redi-Go looks brave, bold, stylish, sporty and fresh with it’s unique styling. The D-shaped chrome surrounded radiator grill combined with elongated futuristic head lamps, crisp and clean lines enchants bold, aerodynamic and aggressive appeal while the day-time-running LED fog lamp lights appends a premium touch, even the sculpted hood highlights macho appeal. 📷

The design of the Datsun Redi-Go is crafted with perfection making every bit well integrated and put together reflecting a fantastic look from every angle. The thick and sharp aerodynamic race-lines at the side profile, the inflated wheel arches and upper portion of doors highlights boldness, the 155/80 R13 wheels also goes well with the stance of this car. I personally love the rear look, specially because of the slant look with sculpted boot and stylish three-dimensional tail lamps which is positioned high up on the cars tail. The big and bold rear bumper add more to its macho appeal. The Datsun Redi-Go has a futuristic looking unique styling and is sure to turn heads. 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷The Top-end Variant gets DRL's (Day Time Running Lights)

Interior, Comfort and Convenience:

📷 The interiors of the Datsun Redi-Go has been designed with roominess and by keeping cutting-edge style in mind, accentuated by dark and light gereige colour coordination. The design is modern yet functional and driver oriented, the seat bolsters are designed to provide excellent back support, lumber support which reduces fatigue and improves driving posture, the cabin offers best in class cabin space as the leg-room, shoulder-room and head-room is ample providing air to seat 4a passengers with ease; All these attributes make long drives exciting, energetic and comfortable. The dashboard looks big, the plastic quality, fabric quality and the quality of knobs and switches is superior and the touch of piano black accent in the centre console and silver accents at multiple locations reflects a premium feel. The dashboard gets a in-dash single DIN audio system with front two speakers with AUX and USB connectivity. The modern digital speedometer with drive computer gives your a quick read on your speed while providing another stylish touch to the interior. The air-conditioning system is a chiller even in this scorching summer heat of Delhi and i’ve been told that the A/C has dedicated vents in the centre with calculated air circulation to ensure rear passengers comfort. The glovebox is tiny but you get storage space just above the glovebox plus a storage space just under the centre console and next to the steering, there are front two cupholders and the door pockets are also tiny and are suitable to keep folders only. The rear seat is fully foldable and the boot offers a generous 222 litres of cargo space. 📷Comfortable Rear seats 📷FABS front seats

📷Door Pocket 📷Power window switches next to front cup-holders 📷 📷 📷 📷Storage space just below Centre Console 📷222 Litres of boot cargo space 📷Tiny glovebox and storage space above glovebox

Engine and Gearbox:

The Datsun Redi-Go is powered with the same engine as Renault Kwid, the 799cc 12V i-SAT (Intelligent Spark Automated Technology) petrol engine generates 53Bhp power at 5678RPM and 72Nm torque at 4388RPM returning a best in class milage of 25.3 KMPL (Claimed). In this i-SAT technology, the engine automatically adjusts spark timing in response to fuel quality and power requirement, The NVH levels are controlled and the engine is silent and sounds good while revving hard, this engine runs on front wheel drivetrain and 5-speed manual transmission. The gearshift is rubbery and it’s not really smooth to shift nor the gear change is quick. The Redi-Go is also sturdy and crude like few of the other Nissan and Renault cars. 📷 📷 Check out the acceleration and engine sound of the Datsun Redi-Go in the video below. 

Performance and Handling:

The Datsun Redi-Go’s engine is responsive, sit in - put the gear to 1st - accelerate the paddle - i’m sure you will be impressed with the throttle response, the torque delivery starts to kick in somewhere around 2500 RPM mark. The acceleration is quick in the first gear and the motor doesn't feel stressed at max RPM limit but the acceleration cuts off and the car start to loose breath whereas in second and third gear the acceleration is decent till 4000 RPM mark and after that the engine feels stressed but doesn't cut off at max RPM mark. So to feel the thrilling drive, one should not cross 4000 RPM in any gear, the top speed I could achieve was 120 Km/Hr and the car was stable, moreover it was even stable around corners at 50 Km/Hr speed. Due to the Adaptable Electronic Power Steering, the manoeuvrability in the city drive is a breeze (4.7m turning radius) but the response is not as good at the high speed, moreover I have noticed frequent gear shifts will be required during sudden overtaking on the highways moreover as it is just a 800cc car, the drive on the highways will be a bit boring. (I’m working on a review on the highway capabilities of Datsun Redi-Go, do check regularly, I will be testing the Redi-Go on certain parameters through a long highway drive). The S-Tec2 suspension of the Redi-Go is Technologically superior suspension system, H-shape torsion beam with double pivot arm gives high stability, the suspension is excellent to tackle worst roads of India, moreover 185mm ground clearance helps too, even the body roll is controlled. (Please note: customer of a 800cc segment car will give prime importance to the car’s milage, maintenance, price and safety, performance is generally overlooked, as this was my first 800cc car’s review, i was not quite impressed with the performance as I was more habitual with the performance of bigger displacement cars (At least 1000cc), so I later choose to ignore it’s decent performance and started paying attention to other things that matter more to people buying a 800cc hatchback.)

Braking and Safety:

Datsun offers Pro-Safe 7 safety features in the Redi Go to make it safe, secure and reliable. First being the PAB - Performance Augmented Brakes which gives shortest braking distance while applying brakes due to the short responsive time from brake paddle to wheels. The Disk plates are bigger in size. Second is RCPS - Reinforced Crash Protection Shell which is strong enough to absorb impact while collision. Third is High eye point opt-view which offers wider view of road and surrounding due to large windows (36 degree lower and upper viewing angle). Fourth is the S-tech2 - Technologically superior suspension system, H-shape torsion beam with double pivot arm gives high stability, fifth is the AEPS - Adaptive Electronic Power Steering for high manoeuvrability at low speeds and stability at high speeds. Sixth being the FABS -Force Absorbing Bolster Support which increases the bolster support to tackle cornering at high speeds and last being the EAS- Energy Absorbing Steering and Airbag which makes the steering absorb impact force (Collapsable Steering) during collision. Other safety features include engine immobiliser and central locking. 📷

Verdict:

📷 This urban cross is tall enough to take on roughest roads, agile enough to take on maddening city traffic, spacious enough to keep you comfortable and  stylish enough to turn heads, moreover the Redi Go is safe and trustworthy with 2 years unlimited kilometres warranty, extensive Pro-7 safety features, upto 32% lower maintenance cost than competition (Datsun’s Claim) making the Datsun Redi-Go a car like no other and everything you need and more….Not to forget it is cleverly priced at Rs 2.4 Lakhs to Rs 3.4 Lakhs Ex-showroom which is approx. Rs 20000-30000 cheaper than Renault Kwid and Rs 10,000 more than the Maruti-Suzuki Alto800.