Car buyers in India are a demanding lot. They look for extremely high levels of reliability, the features they demand generally come off more expensive cars and if a manufacturer has visibly cut costs, they instantly feel cheated. This is why making a low-cost car in our market is so difficult. And then there’s the brand that also exerts a massive influence on the purchase decision.
Get it right, however, and the rewards are well worth the effort. The Renault Kwid is an embodiment of that thought, and now, its Japanese cousin, the Datsun Redigo, is here to attempt something similar. While the Kwid set itself apart with its SUV-like styling, the Redigo will try to distinguish itself by way of keen pricing. Datsun says prices could start as low as Rs 2.5 lakh for the base variants, and keeping in mind Datsun’s reputation and past record, prices could go lower still. Also on the cards is class-leading fuel efficiency that Datsun says will set a record in the real world.
When it comes to looks, the Redigo is quite attractive. Clearly a lot of effort has gone into making it stand out, and stand out it does. The profile is unique, the high-mounted chrome grille up front with the large, upswept headlights look quite stunning. However, the rear of the car looks quite ‘pinched’ and a bit odd.
While the Redigo is based on the same mechanicals as the Renault Kwid, there’s little that visually links the two. While it is shorter than the Kwid, both in length and in the wheelbase, the Redigo has an impressive 185mm of ground clearance(5mm more than the Kwid’s ground clearance), which makes it ideal for small towns and uneven village roads.
First impressions as you step into the cabin are pretty good. The high seats, combined with the expansive glass areas make the cabin airy. The dashboard is well designed, the plastics around the cabin are textured and the steering and gear-lever feel good to hold.
There’s a fixed air-con vent which sits atop of the central console and channels air to the rear. The adjustable AC vents on the driver and passenger side are similar to those seen on other Datsun cars. The audio system, unfortunately, isn’t a touchscreen unit like on the Renault Kwid. Instead, you get a CD and MP3 player, aux-in and USB connectivity, but there’s no Bluetooth. The instrument panel is the same unit as on its larger siblings, the Go and Go+, which includes a speedometer combined with a small orange digital display for the tachometer and trip computer which displays average mileage, fuel level, distance-to- empty and comes with a gear-shift indicator too.
In terms of storage spaces, there’s a large shelf on the passenger side, a roomy cubbyhole below the air-con controls and a smaller cubbyhole to the right of the steering wheel. You also get a cup-holder and a large bottle-holder in front of the gear lever and a flat tray under the handbrake. However, storage space in the door pockets is minimal and the glovebox is only large enough for the car’s papers and perhaps a few toll receipts.
As for safety, an optional driver-side airbag will be offered on the top-spec Redigo, but there will be no ABS. Also note that rear passengers only get static seatbelts, which need to be manually adjusted. Up front, the skinny seats are reasonably comfortable, and offer the driver and the front passenger a good view out. The front seats are not adjustable for height and neither is the steering for rake or reach.
The small rear windscreen is also likely to create a blind spot while reversing. Datsun also claims that the Redigo comes with the best-in- class rear space and it just might be right. While knee-room is more than sufficient, the headroom is fantastic. The high ground clearance also makes getting in and out of the cabin easy while the seats, though a bit upright, are comfortable too. However, the relatively narrow width of the car makes three abreast seating a tight affair.
The Redigo gets a 222-litre boot, which isn’t the best in its segment, but is adequate. However, its high and narrow opening makes loading luggage into the boot quite a chore. There’s a plastic parcel tray, which adds a measure of convenience to the cabin. Unfortunately, it is obtrusively bolted to a supporting frame, which restricts flexibility.
While cost-cutting may not be immediately obvious, you will eventually notice the exposed sheet metal, externally-adjusting side-view mirrors and a single windscreen wiper. Even features like central locking and key access for the boot are missing too. The Redigo uses the same engine as the Renault Kwid – a 54hp 799cc, three-cylinder petrol engine, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. However, Datsun engineers have recalibrated the engine to return better fuel efficiency.
You get a typical three-cylinder thrum on start-up, which clearly feels a bit louder here than on the Kwid. And what’s more annoying are that the vibrations can be felt through the steering wheel. The Redigo hesitates when starting from a standstill, and needs a bit of throttle intervention to start smoothly. However, once you pick up speed, the Redigo smoothens up and vibrations are well-contained. The five-speed manual gearbox allied to a light clutch, is easy enough to use, but doesn’t like to be shifted in a hurry.
Its ride is on the firm side, and the car rumbles over rough sections of the road. That said, despite its tall stance, body-roll isn’t pronounced and high-speed stability isn’t too bad either. The Redigo’s steering is quite light and well-suited for city driving. And the compact dimensions, short overhangs and tight turning radius, make it an extremely easy car to park and maneuver.
Price will be the biggest reason to buy the Redigo. And Datsun claims it has the lowest running costs in its class. Other good reasons to buy the Redigo include its styling, comfortable seating position, airy cabin and the desirable tall proportions. However, the signs of cost-cutting in the Redigo, and its unrefined engine can be turn-offs. All in all, at its estimated price tag, the Redigo represents good value for money and that, clubbed with the attractive looks and comfy cabin, may be all the reason some buyers would find it appealing.
Datsun Redigo
Price: From Rs 2.5 lakh (estimated ex-showroom)
Engine: 0.8-litre petrol
Power: 54hp at 5678rpm
Torque: 72Nm at 4386rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Fuel efficiency: 25.17kpl
L/W/H: 3429/1560/1541mm
