Tata Curvv Petrol & Diesel Review: Which Engine Option Is for You

Tata Curvv has to be one of the most unique products by the carmaker in a while. And that is saying something. I remember seeing the concept version of the vehicle almost two years ago and thinking that this was quite a bold step by Tata. Fast forward to the present day and we have the production version of the coupe SUV. It looks very similar to what we saw back in the day and looks just as outlandish. While you might have already seen our review of the battery-powered Curvv, it is now time for me to get up and personal with the fossil fuel-drinking versions of this coupe SUV.

Tata Curvv Review: Exterior Design

Design is subjective but if you were to ask my opinion of how the Curvv looks, I would rate it very highly. Tata has been nailing the design game for a while now and the Curvv is another successful example of the same. It almost reminds me of vehicles in the game Cyberpunk 2077. The design is largely similar to that of the EV avatar and you get the same coupe SUV silhouette. You will find the same sleek DRLs and light bar with a welcome function at the front while the rear is dominated by the connected tail lamp. The proportions are the same as well. Since we were driving the top-end trim of the Curvv, it came fitted with smart 18-inch alloy wheels. However, the lower variants get 16 and 17-inch options. Something I really like is that the flush door handles are available even in the base variant of the Curvv as well. In fact, the LED lighting is also standard across the range.

Where the Curvv differs is in the grille design. While the EV goes for a closed-off unit, the internal combustion one gets some shiny highlights and openings to let the air in, much like conventional cars. It is a similar case with the bumper design and overall I prefer this over the design seen in the EV. It gives a bit more character to the front of the vehicle.

Despite the futuristic design of the Curvv, I was able to observe some quality concerns. For example, one of the two units that we drove, had very ugly weld marks clearly visible on the frame in the boot area. The black plastic around the lift gate also had very big gaps to the metal frame. In fact, the inside rearview mirror in our diesel unit came off while trying to adjust it. These issues were not in all cars which also means that Tata will have to keep a close eye on their quality control department if they do not want their customers to have a bad experience.

Tata Curvv Review: Interior Space & Features

Much like the exterior, the interior design and feature set of the Curvv is identical to that of its EV sibling, barring a few changes. Instead of a bright white upholstery, you get darker-coloured options which should be easier to maintain and look decent too. My favourite aspect probably has to be the large and well-designed 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. It has a rather nice UI and you can even choose to display Google Maps on it, making navigation even more intuitive. You get a 12.3-inch floating touchscreen infotainment option in the top trim of the Curvv while the lower variants get 10.25- and 7-inch options. This large display is great for the legibility of content however, the animations could be a bit smoother. It is not that the system is slow to respond but the laggy animation can make it feel more sluggish than it really is. The infotainment unit supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay which earns the Curvv some extra brownie points. The higher trim also comes with a 9-speaker JBL surround sound system which sounds very good. However, I would not say that it is as impressive as some other competitors. 

I even liked the 6-way power adjustable driver seat - it provided good comfort during my drive. The front seats are also ventilated but the button for it is placed on the base of the seat which is not the most convenient place to reach. The centre console has space for a couple of USB charging ports and a wireless charging pad but there are no cup holders still.

The bench at the back provides good cushioning and you get AC vents along with a Type A and Type C USB charging port. However, due to the sloping roof, the headroom is compromised, especially if you are as tall as I am (6 feet). If you want that rather good-looking roof, you will have to compromise on this aspect. To make things slightly better, the backrest of the rear bench can be reclined, if only by a small amount. The door pockets are yet again somewhat cramped and you will be better off using the cupholders in the centre armrest. Overall, I did not have many complaints with the second-row experience, barring the space issue.

Tata Curvv Review: Boot Space

Before I talk about the boot space, I must talk about the powered tailgate. It is great that Tata is giving a powered tailgate in the Curvv, it just makes daily operations easier. A small problem I have with it though is that once you press the button to open the boot, it takes a few seconds more than most other cars. It is not a deal breaker by any means, but something that I did notice. Now, onto the boot space, you get 500 litres, which is more than enough to carry half a dozen small to medium bags. If you choose to fold the second row seats, you will almost double the cargo area. This is one area where I don't think you will have any problem with Curvv.

Tata Curvv Review: Engine options

Tata is offering the Curvv with a total of three engine options and we got to test two of them. The first one was the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine which is the newest addition to the Tata lineup. The other was the 1.5-litre Kryojet diesel. All engine options can be either paired with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCA (Tata’s version of a dual-clutch).

First, I would like to talk about the diesel engine which produces 116bhp and 260Nm. The moment you put your foot on the accelerator pedal, you get a face-full of torque. It is a typical diesel engine that hits the redline pretty soon and delivers a good punch every time you shift. The problem here was the DCA. It is a gearbox that gets confused rather easily. Ride around gently and you will have no problems but the moment you start pushing the SUV, you will come across instances where the gearbox does not know which gear to be in. I noticed this especially while climbing inclines. There is a noticeable gap between when you press the throttle to get going and when the Curvv actually delivers the power needed.

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Coming to the new turbocharged petrol engine, it was super fun to drive and very smooth too. It is silent if you are ambling or cruising on the highway and the moment you start to accelerate, you hear a roar that is not harsh on the ears. Our petrol unit was paired with a 6-speed manual which too worked really well. The gears are spread apart nicely and it shifts smoothly too. Overall, I had much more fun pushing the petrol Curvv with the manual gearbox, than I did the diesel with the automatic.

Tata Curvv Review: Ride & Handling

In typical Tata fashion, the suspension has been tuned to perfection. It strikes a very good balance between being comfortable and sporty. On the rougher roads, I was not bouncing too much and when it came time to tackle some twisties, I had plenty of confidence. The Curvv does not swerve away from its intended line, even when at higher speeds. Yes, the steering wheel could have been a bit more direct for even more precision but I am just nitpicking at this point. I do, however, feel that the brake pedal felt too wooden. It feels heavy to press and the braking power is not as sharp.

While driving, I also noticed that the A-pillar is a bit thick and can obstruct your view somewhat, especially when looking right. Because of the shape of the bonnet and the way you sit inside the car, it is also a tad difficult to judge where the edges are. However, I really like the quality of the surround-view camera. It delivers a bright and crisp visual, unlike some other cars. You also get 20 Level 2 ADAS features in the Curvv which work very well. I would recommend that you set the automatic braking to the most relaxed setting, else the Curvv can sometimes hit the brakes a bit too prematurely.

Tata Curvv Review: Verdict

While I am superbly impressed by the design of the Curvv, there are still some quality issues that need to be tackled by Tata. The interior is rather luxurious, with all the features but a bit lacking in storage space and rear headroom. The petrol engine is super fun, especially paired with the manual gearbox. The diesel too has a lot of torque but the automatic gearbox can throw a spanner in the works. What makes the Curvv a really great proposition is the price tag at which Tata is offering the coupe SUV. With a starting price of Rs 9.99 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom), you are getting a lot of value for your money and extra style points too. Yes, the conventional SUVs will give you more space and practicality, if that is something you prioritise. If you are looking for a unique set of wheels that is also very capable, the Curvv is going to make a great purchase.

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