Tata Curvv

The Tata Curvv has entered one of the most busiest and competitive car segments as a standout product thanks to its SUV-coupe styling. It brings a completely fresh design to the segment, a large selection of features and multiple powertrain options. Priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 19.20 lakh (ex-showroom), does the Curvv make sense to an average Indian buyer? Or is it just a niche product that will appeal only to a few? Let’s find out.

• Up front, the Curvv shares design similarities with other Tata products like the Nexon, Safari and the Harrier, including the sleek connected LED DRLs and vertically placed headlamps. 

• It is only from the side that you realise it's a different product altogether, given its coupe-SUV styling.
• I like the design not because it's new, but because it's different, and it makes you stand out from the crowd.
• The flush-fitting door handles complete the sleek look of this SUV. However, the operation of these flush door handles is manual, and electronic operation would have been better.
• As for wheels, the top-spec variant gets 18-inch alloys with a petal-like design. All variants come with a 16-inch spare wheel placed under the boot mat.

• But, there are some panel gaps around the bonnet and around the boot lid which won’t go unnoticed.
• Overall, the coupe styling is fresh and worth considering, as it sets you apart from the long list of traditional-looking SUVs.

• The cabin looks minimalistic, with a no-nonsense design, and everything feels in place. Nothing is in your face, and the dashboard has a symmetrical look.

• You get the option of multiple interior colour, depending on the variant you pick, and all of them go well with the design of the car. The top-spec Accomplished Plus variant I drove had a black and maroon cabin theme, which looks dark, but not dull.

• The dashboard design gives you a sense of premiumness, and makes you feel that you’re sitting in a much more expensive car.

• Even in terms of material quality, there isn’t much to complain about. There’s a significant amount of soft touch leatherette padding, the buttons feel tactile and have a satisfying click, and the fit and finish is on point. 

• The one thing that felt loose and a little flimsy was the gear knob, which should have been executed better.

• However, the cabin looks like an updated version of the Nexon’s cabin, and I feel a new car should have gotten a new cabin design.

• Also, Tata can do better in terms of fit and finish: the panel gaps around the glovebox, centre console, and the C-pillar stick out in an otherwise premium-looking cabin.

Space & Storage

Driving Position

• Finding your driving position in the Curvv is easy as it gets a 6-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, along with tilt steering adjustment. 

• However, once you sit in the driver seat, you’ll notice that the seat back is short, and doesn’t go all the way up to your shoulders. This will bother you only if you're over 6ft tall, but it most definetely is unusual to look at.

• The front seats offer soft cushioning and have big contours which hold you in place.

Rear Seat Space

• This is where the Curvv could have been better. The rear seat provides a good amount of underthigh support, and the legroom is also adequate. But due to the sloping roofline, headroom gets compromised.

• I’m 5’8”, and my head touches the roof, which becomes uncomfortable on long drives.

• The rear seat space is good only for 2 passengers, and fitting 3 people in the back will make everyone uncomfortable. Also, the middle passenger misses out on a headrest.

Storage & Charging Options

• Storage options in the Curvv aren’t the most practical, and make things a bit inconvenient overall. 

• You get 1-litre bottle holders in all four doors, with some space on the side for smaller items. It also offers an average sized glovebox, storage in the centre armrest, and two-cupholders in the rear centre armrest.

• But, there are no cupholders in the centre console. Instead, they are placed in the glovebox, which become useless once the car is in motion.

• The glovebox is cooled, however.

• Tata has also missed out on seat back pockets, which limits the storage options for the rear seat passengers.

• Even in terms of charging options, while the front passenger gets a wireless phone charger in the centre console, the Type-A, Type-C, and 12V sockets are placed in such a way that it becomes a hassle to plug in the cable.

• The rear passengers get a Type-C charger placed below the rear AC vents.

Boot Space

• At 500 litres, the Curvv’s boot space is among the best in the segment.

• I could easily fit an entire suitcase set (small, medium and large), along with 2 soft bags. 

• It also comes with a 60:40 rear seat split, in case you have a lot of luggage, and in the top-spec variant, you get a powered tailgate with gesture control, making the boot operation handsfree.

Features & Safety

Convenience

• There isn’t anything missing in the feature list of the Curvv. You get the usual features such as keyless entry, push-start, a 6-way powered driver seat, a wireless phone charger, and a panoramic sunroof.

• One thing I liked in particular was the ambient lighting setup. Not just on the dashboard, but around the sunroof as well. This small addition creates a big impact on the cabin’s look and makes it look more premium.

• You also get an auto-dimming IRVM. But one thing you should know is that your rear visibility is limited due to the small rear windshield, which is a drawback of having a sloping roofline.

• Tata also offers front seat ventilation on the Curvv. While it’s effective, the placement of the buttons are quite odd (towards the side) making it very difficult to use on the go.

Infotainment

• In terms of infotainment, it comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, paired with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

• This screen is smooth, easy to understand, and comes with neat graphics.

• However, Tata’s screens are prone to lag and glitches, which you might have to face every now and then.

• You also get a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, with similar graphics as the touchscreen.

• The infotainment pairs well with the 9-speaker JBL Audio System that delivers a crisp sound output.

Safety

• In terms of safety, it comes with 6 standard airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), all-wheel disc brakes, and front and rear parking sensors.

• Higher variants get a 360-degree camera, with clear camera quality, and a blind spot monitor.

• Tata also offers it with Level 2 ADAS features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking, which have been well tuned for Indian road conditions.

• On top of this, the Curvv also has a 5-star crash test safety rating from Bharat NCAP, which adds another layer of safety.

• Tata offers the Curvv with three engine options: a 1.2-litre Hyperion turbo-petrol, a 1.2-litre Revotron turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel. All three engines come with the option of a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

City Performance

• The new Hyperion turbo-petrol engine makes 5 PS and 55 Nm more than the other, which isn’t a huge difference, but it is the better engine out of the two petrol options.

• Being a 3-cylinder unit, you will experience some vibrations in the footwell, and I feel Tata could have done a better job in terms of cabin insulation.

• Nonetheless, the power delivery is smooth, and there is more than enough power for city drives.

• Overtakes are effortless, and driving in traffic is also hassle-free.

• The Revotron engine, while a little less powerful, gives you a similar drive experience. But out of the two turbo-petrol engines, I’d recommend the Hyperion, as it has a better sense of precision when it comes to refinement and power delivery.

• The diesel engine is more of an all-rounder. Just like the turbo-petrol, the power it packs is sufficient for your use, and it is also the most efficient out of the three.

• I would recommend this engine if your monthly drives are over 1500 km.

• The one issue I faced with this engine was again, vibrations. Accompanied with the usual diesel engine noise really takes away from the experience. In a similar price range, Hyundai/Kia offer much quieter diesel engines.

Highway Performance

• On the highways, the turbo-petrols pack enough power for overtakes and get to triple digit speeds.

• The power delivery is linear and you won’t be left wanting for more.

• The same can be said for the diesel unit, as it also has sufficient power for your highway use.

Transmission Options

• The manual transmission feels light and is easy to get used to. The clutch travel might feel slightly long in the diesel, but it’s not much of a bother even for city drives.  

• The DCT (dual-clutch automatic transmission), on the other hand, can be a bit troublesome.

• During our first drive, this transmission gave us some issues. It was a little jerky while shifting from D1 to D2, and even shifted from drive to neutral on a slope on its own, which is unsafe and unacceptable. However, a separate test unit showed no issues.

• We would like to recommend the DCT for the added convenience it offers, but this inconsistency makes it hard to recommend it outright.

Fuel Efficiency

• The turbo-petrols, while powerful, are not so efficient. In the city, you can get around 7-9 kmpl, and around 13-14 kmpl on the highway.

• The diesel, on the other hand, will return around 10-12 kmpl in the city, and around 16-18 kmpl on the highway, making it the better choice if your running is higher.

• The Curvv’s suspension system has been set in a way where it has some firmness to it.

• You don’t get tossed around when driving over poorly built roads and potholes.

• At high speeds, the car remains stable with minimum body movement, which means you won’t be tired on roadtrips.

• On the handling front, the steering is quick and predictable, and the car remains planted during quick lane changes or turns. There will be some acceptable body roll while taking corners, but nothing that will make you uncomfortable.

The Tata Curvv does have what it takes to convince you into buying a coupe-SUV instead of a traditional one. The design in itself is a big factor for the Curvv, but its feature list and comfortable ride quality also makes it a good choice for many. But it is still not for everyone. The rear seat space is not enough for three adults, and it is suited for occasional/sparing use. Also, while the feature set is more than impressive, Tata’s execution raises a few question marks.

You should buy it if you’re young and want to stand out. But for most people, a more traditional SUV may make better sense.

Other Cars To Consider Instead Of The Tata Curvv

Hyundai Creta/ Kia Seltos

Reasons To Consider

• Better rear seat space

• Good feature set

Reasons To Ignore

• Won’t make you standout

Maruti Grand Vitara/ Toyota Hyryder

Reasons To Consider

• Better fuel efficiency, especially with strong Hybrid 

• AWD option available

Reasons To Ignore

• Low boot space in strong hybrid variants

• No diesel engine option

Volkswagen Taigun/ Skoda Kushaq

Reasons To Consider

• A sporty drive experience

• Spacious rear seat

Reasons To Ignore

• Less features

• Reliability concerns

Citroen Basalt

Reasons To Consider

• Coupe styling at a more affordable price

• Better rear seat experience

Reasons To Ignore

• Less features

• No diesel engine option

Honda Elevate

Reasons To Consider

• Better rear seat space

• A more value for money package

Reasons To Ignore

• No flashy features

• Just one engine option