Datsun Go+ review, test drive

The Datsun Go+, in essence, is a Go with an extra row of seats and will hit Datsun showrooms in January 2015.

Published on Dec 03, 2014 02:03:00 PM

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The third row, however, is just not useable as getting in is the first hurdle. Only the backrest of the second row folds down; you have to clamber over the seat to get in, and once there, you'll find you have absolutely no space. The seat is placed on the floor, there is no space for your feet and headroom is non existent. Even children will be severely cramped here. The space can be made use of, though. Flip the backrest, and it'll fit three or four large suitcases and while folding down the backrest of the second row gives the Go+ the practicality of a mini estate car.

While some of the inside bits, like the steering wheel, dashboard and door-pads, are well put together, there are clear signs of cost-cutting. The doors and hatch, for example, feel extremely ‘tinny’, the bootlid lacks cladding and only the front passengers get retractable three-point seatbelts.

On the Go

With a similar amount of power as the Go and 20kg more to lug around, you’d expect the Go+ to feel a bit sluggish, but no. Clever gearing and plenty of torque make the motor very responsive – the Datsun takes off when you put your foot down. There is a hint of hesitation at very low revs, but that apart, the Go+ is even comfortable cruising around in a high gear in city traffic; you don’t even need to go to a lower gear most of the time. The gearbox and light clutch work well enough and while the box does have a long throw, the gears slot in nicely if you are firm. What also helps you relax in traffic are the well-metered brakes and the light steering. The engine does get a bit noisy towards 5000rpm and there is plenty of road and tyre noise, but that is more to do with the poor insulation of the cabin.