Datsun on-DO

Datsun on-DO: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Datsun on-DO version to choose depends mainly on whether you value performance, fuel economy, or an Automatic gearbox. The strongest and quickest option is the 1.6 MT with 106 hp: it reaches 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds, has a top speed of 184 km/h, and uses 6.6 l/100 km combined.

The Datsun on-DO version to choose depends mainly on whether you value performance, fuel economy, or an Automatic gearbox. The strongest and quickest option is the 1.6 MT with 106 hp: it reaches 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds, has a top speed of 184 km/h, and uses 6.6 l/100 km combined. The 1.6 MT with 87 hp is the middle choice, while the 1.6 AT with 87 hp trades performance and economy for an Automatic transmission. Buyers considering earlier cars also have an 82 hp 1.6 MT, but this is the slowest Manual version in the catalogue.

Generations and restyling: what changed?

The Datsun on-DO is represented here by one generation with two production phases, not two separate generations. Every listed car is a Sedan with FWD.

The original 1 generation ran from July 2014 through November 2019 and contained four versions: 1.6 MT with 82 hp, 1.6 MT with 87 hp, 1.6 AT with 87 hp, and 1.6 MT with 106 hp. This phase used Euro 4 engines. The 82 hp version is exclusive to the original phase in the supplied data.

The 1 generation, restyling began in December 2019 and contains three versions: 1.6 MT with 87 hp, 1.6 MT with 106 hp, and 1.6 AT with 87 hp. All three are Euro 5. Gross weight is measured at 1,560 kg for these restyled versions; it is not measured for the original versions.

The headline performance figures did not change for the 106 hp 1.6 MT: both phases quote 10.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, 184 km/h, and 6.6 l/100 km combined. The 87 hp 1.6 AT also retains its 14.4-second acceleration time, 166 km/h top speed, and 7.7 l/100 km combined consumption. The 87 hp 1.6 MT is the version with a measurable performance change: its acceleration improves from 12.2 to 11.5 seconds, while its listed top speed changes from 173 to 172 km/h. Its combined consumption remains 7 l/100 km.

Datsun on-DO engine and transmission specs

All listed versions use a 1,596 cc Gasoline engine with 4 Inline cylinders, no boost, a front transverse position, and distributed multi-point injection. Every 1.6 MT has a 5-speed Manual gearbox, while every 1.6 AT has a 4-speed Automatic. Drive is FWD throughout.

Because displacement is identical, the outputs are directly comparable. The 82 hp engine produces about 51.4 hp per litre, the 87 hp engine about 54.5 hp per litre, and the 106 hp engine about 66.4 hp per litre. Moving from 87 to 106 hp adds 19 hp and 8 Nm without increasing displacement. Moving from 82 to 87 hp adds 5 hp and 8 Nm.

Performance, fuel economy and mpg comparison

The 106 hp 1.6 MT combines the best performance with the lowest listed consumption. Against the 87 hp 1.6 MT, it is 1.7 seconds quicker in the original phase and 1 second quicker after restyling. It also consumes 0.4 l/100 km less on the combined cycle, 0.2 l/100 km less in the city, and 0.2 l/100 km less on the highway.

Choosing the 87 hp 1.6 AT instead of the 87 hp 1.6 MT adds 2.2 seconds to the 0–100 km/h time in the original phase and 2.9 seconds after restyling. The Automatic also uses 0.7 l/100 km more combined, 1.4 l/100 km more in the city, and 0.3 l/100 km more on the highway. Its listed top speed is 7 km/h below the original 87 hp Manual and 6 km/h below the restyled 87 hp Manual.

The earlier 82 hp 1.6 MT uses 0.4 l/100 km more combined than the 87 hp Manual and takes 0.7 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h. Its top speed is 8 km/h lower. On catalogue figures alone, the 87 hp Manual is the stronger choice between these two.

CO2 output is not measured for any version.

Dimensions, weight and ground clearance

Every listed Datsun on-DO has a kerb weight of 1,160 kg, ground clearance of 174 mm, and a 50-litre fuel tank. Gross weight is 1,560 kg for every restyled version and not measured for every original version.

The common kerb weight makes the power-to-weight comparison straightforward. The 82 hp 1.6 MT carries about 14.1 kg per hp, the 87 hp versions about 13.3 kg per hp, and the 106 hp 1.6 MT about 10.9 kg per hp. The 106 hp Manual therefore carries about 2.4 kg less per hp than an 87 hp version and about 3.2 kg less per hp than the 82 hp version.

Wheel sizes for the 87 hp and 106 hp versions are 185/60 R14 and 185/55 R15 in both phases. Wheel size for the original 82 hp 1.6 MT is not measured.

All versions use Independent, spring front suspension and Semi-independent, spring rear suspension. Braking hardware consists of Ventilated disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes.

Which Datsun on-DO version should you buy?

Choose the 1.6 MT with 106 hp if performance and fuel consumption matter most. Its 10.5-second acceleration, 184 km/h top speed, and 6.6 l/100 km combined figure lead the range. It also has the best calculated output per litre and the lowest weight per horsepower.

Choose the 1.6 MT with 87 hp if you want a middle-ground Manual. It gives up 19 hp and 8 Nm to the 106 hp version, but it remains quicker and more economical than the earlier 82 hp Manual. Between the two production phases, the restyled 87 hp version improves the 0–100 km/h time by 0.7 seconds while retaining the same consumption figures.

Choose the 1.6 AT with 87 hp only when the Automatic gearbox is the deciding requirement. It shares the Manual’s 87 hp and 140 Nm, but its 4-speed Automatic corresponds with the slowest acceleration and highest consumption among the 87 hp choices.

The original 82 hp 1.6 MT is the least compelling option by the supplied performance data. It has the lowest output, the highest weight per horsepower, and weaker acceleration and economy than the original 87 hp Manual. Its clear catalogue distinction is that it appears only in the July 2014–November 2019 production phase.

For buyers choosing between an original car and the restyling, the data supports focusing on emissions class and the specific engine. The original phase is Euro 4, whereas the restyling is Euro 5. The 106 hp Manual and 87 hp Automatic retain identical performance and consumption figures across the change, while the restyled 87 hp Manual is quicker to 100 km/h than its original counterpart. Prices, equipment, reliability, reported problems, tuning potential, and owner reviews are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot be used to justify one version over another.