Cartrade Comparison Test
With a budget of around Rs 4 lakhs, you have two pocket hatchbacks to choose from – Chevrolet Beat and Datsun GO. The Chevrolet Beat concept, unveiled at the 2007 New Your Auto Show, gathered curious interest by many young buyers as it had a unique design. Large sweeping back headlights with a protruding predator styled jaw line and funky motorcycle speedo inspired cockpit. The Beat hatchback made it to India post the Cruze launch and it did set a new benchmark in terms of design. Last year, the Beat got a facelift with new exteriors and additional features. The Datsun Go, a game starter for the Japanese budget brand, made an entry in India last year. Targeting the cost conscious with space and practicality, the Go seemed to be on the right path only till it faced negative criticism against its safety standards. How do these two fair against each other?
Exterior and Interior Design: Datsun GO Vs Chevrolet Beat
The face lifted Chevrolet Beat got revised headlights with a more detailed design. The radiator grille too received a new change in the form of new bow tie Chevy design. The front face is dominated by this new radiator grille and the large flowing back headlights compliment this setup very well. The contours on the front bonnet too feel impressive. Chevrolet didn’t change the silhouette at all and went ahead with almost the same design as seen earlier with door handles mounted on the door pillars.
The Datsun GO is more for the old school design seekers. It looks like a blown up toy car with its bubbling headlights and hexagonal radiator grille. Genuinely, the Datsun GO has a fresh face compared to its edgy seeking design holders. The chunky three dimensional head lights with a solid side and rear profile make it look unique, which acts much in its favour.
Inside the Chevrolet Beat, the highlight is the front dashboard and more importantly the instrumental cluster but the cramped positioning of seats and below average comfort and cushioning of seats can’t be ignored. Taller passengers will end up complaining the most in the Chevy Beat. The Datsun GO doesn’t get the jazzy bits and gadgetry like the Beat, In fact, it gets the least modern cluster and upholstery but then what works in GO’s favour are the spacious seats and roomy interiors.
Performance: Datsun GO Vs Chevrolet Beat
Powering the Datsun GO is the same engine which is seen on the Nissan Micra Active except for this one is detuned to offer more efficiency than the Micra. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine makes 68 bhp of power and 104NM of torque. This gasoline engine comes with a standard five speed manual transmission. The 1.2-litre petrol engine of the Chevrolet Beat makes 78 PS of power and 106 Nm of torque. This engine too comes with a five speed manual transmission. Unlike the GO, the Beat gets a four cylinder arrangement and thus the engine acts more refined and stable than that of GO.
Conclusion: Datsun GO Vs Chevrolet Beat
The Datsun GO scores more point in spacious interiors and grander legroom for both row passengers but the Chevrolet Beat takes it ahead in the form of modern design, features and most importantly safety. The top of the line LT(O) variant gets Anti Lock Braking System and Dual Airbags making Beat the obvious choice.
