Tata Curvv

Expert Review by Maxabout

Casting my first glance at the Tata Curvv, I was taken by its dashing and confident presence from a distance. This SUV-coupe is a large leap for Tata Motors in terms of its design and technology in the very competitive Indian automobile industry. The Curvv seeks to provide a solution in the middle of the more conventional SUV’s and the stylish coupes for the buyers who want more than just attractive looks. Given the fact I have reviewed multiple vehicles that fall into this category, I was very curious to determine how the Curvv would meet its high ideals.

Design and Aesthetics:

There is no question that the exterior design of the Curvv would attract onlookers. Tata has managed to achieve a fine compromise between SUV ruggedness and SUV Coupe sophistication. One glance at the vehicle’s front façade reveals a robust; horizontally positioned LED shoulder light which gives it a very modern feel. To keep up with modern trends, the curvv is fitted with split headlamps with LED DRLs mounted on top of the main headlamps units.

While circling the car, I was particularly stricken with the sloping roofline, it’s that touch which shapes up the Curvv’s coupe silhouette – the most striking feature of the Crossover. It has a powerful stance, courtesy of the strong shoulder line and even flared wheel arches, and its 18 inch alloys fill the arches well and adds to the sporty appeal.

The rear parts of the car also reproduce style and originality with unique design of LED lights united by a bar, as in the front part of the Curvv. The elongated rear windscreen slants back as well as the integrated spoiler nestled below glances up the facet of a coupe-SUV. From my point of view, I think that the designers managed to achieve cohesion in the design of all the components, where aggression amalgamates well and perfect with class.

As one takes a step inside, the interior of the Curvv is no less awe-inspiring than the exterior. All elements are neat and stylish, with a big 12.3-inch display in the center of the dashboard assuming the position of the audio controls rather than the main controls in steering the vehicle. The tactically premium trim materials upholstered with soft-touch surfaces and leatherette are something I will fondly remember. I actually loved how the small things, like the nice knurling on the climate controls, current temperature for each dial, and classiness from ambient lights, were well done.

It is a every so large sunroof opening which enables lots of light in the cabin making it feel even more spacious. I however did not expect rear headroom to be adequate inside because the roofline slopes. However as one would expect in a coupe design the boot space is not class leading but practical enough for day to day requirements.

Dynamics and Drivetrain:

The Tata Curvv has a number of powertrain options to choose from based on user requirements. I had the chance of trying out the 1.2-lit turbo petrol mill which is rated at 123bhp and a torque of 225 Nm. This engine is complemented with a 7-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission and the lively characteristics of a complete sporty vehicle fitted with the curves.

The Curvv has an appeal and is always eager to go on the road. The low-end-power turbo engine makes this easily the most friendly in the city. There is no stress when it comes to high-speed highway driving as the engine is at ease. The dual clutch also does its part, operating quite smooth in shifts, bar once in a while, where in instances of aggressive and quick acceleration requests, some reluctance in shifting can be noted.

The quality of the suspension setup caught me by surprise with the Curvv. There is a good amount of both comfort and sport with the crossover being able to absorb a lot of rough patches but still, be well composed in a corner. The steering was light at lower speeds allowing for easy speed changes and only gained weight during the higher velocity range where the driver could inspire confidence in driving speed.

For those who love diesel fuel, the Curvv also comes with a 1.5 litre turbocharged diesel engine that has power ratings of 116 bhp and a torque output of 260 Nm. This particular variant I believe is really good for long distance cruising purposes and for those that would like to achieve good fuel economy although I did not get the time to push this variant for long.

Features and Technology.

Tata has decked up the Curvv with a whole lot of features and technologies. In the center stands the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system which integrates wireless Apple Car Delegates as well as Android operating devices. The system is primarily touch based and works quite well and menus are also well developed, though i suppose some of them could be cut down.

Another strong point is the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, featuring high-resolution graphics and an array of functional displays. I'd like to single out the cluster ability to provide navigation direction since it allows you not to take your eyes off the road.

The additional features worth mentioning are ventilated front seats, a sound system from JBL, wireless phone charging and a 360-degree parking camera. This last feature proved quite useful when parking the Curvv due to its large dimensions.

In the safety features, from the standard offerings, the Curvv has six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and hill-hold assist as basic safety features. More expensive versions come integrated with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and autonomous emergency braking. It was during the test drive that such advanced features were seen to be rather useful and solved existing issues with safety.

Variants:

The Tata Curvv can be purchased in 4 basic variants, namely: Smart, Pure+, Creative and Accomplished. It also becomes clear that the best package is the top one available.

The most inexpensive Smart trim offers basic amenities such as LED headlamps, a 7 inch touchscreen and a few safety features. I still advocates its good price, however, most consumers I think will be better off buying at least the Pure + variant.

The Pure+ thank you very much includes the bigger 10.25 inches digital instrument cluster, a bigger touch screen, and more comfort features like the automatic climate control and a sunroof.

The Creative variant comes with ADAS, ventilated seats, and the premium audio system. This for technology-oriented consumers is probably the soft spot in the range.

The top-spec Accomplished variant features the 360-degree camera, gesture controls for a power tailgate as well as additional video and cosmetic enhancements without the restraints.

For my part, I would say the most favorable variant in terms of equipment and price is napkin at creative variant however everyone who prefers only luxury and technology will be satisfied by Accomplished trim.

Market Position and Pricing:

The Curvv is marketed to consumers who are in the market for a compact SUV but Tata has positioned configurator as a premium product in this category with the Smart base volumetric priced around ?10 lakh to the Accomplished top volume variant priced at about ?19 lakh Ex-showroom. This price bracket cuts directly into the territory occupied by competitors such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and higher variants of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Although the tertiaries of the Curvv model have some level of attraction, they ascend to markets mostly dominated by larger SUVs. But in my opinion, the Curvv is worth that price with its exceptional design, advanced technology, and being among the first SUV coupes within the segment.

Target Audience:

From the looks of it, the Tata Curvv is aimed at urban professionals and those buyers who care about fashion and want to look different from the rest. The coupe design and features are likely to attract consumers who are technology oriented and are on the trend of vehicles.

The Curvv appears to be the type of vehicle that will, in my opinion, appeal greatly to the younger market segment targeting their first premium car and also small families needing the space of an SUV but without compromising on stylishness. ADAS features and a comfy ride also make it worthwhile for people who often go for long drives predominantly on highways.

Value for Money:

Upon looking at what the Curvv offers its potential buyers, I have concluded that it is quite favorable among its class. True it is not the most economic of all options, a good two tone design and reasonable specs plus the improving image of the Tata brand makes it worth.

Especially the low-end and mid-range models provide an excellent value for money as they manage to combine style and effectiveness in a way that no other brand can do at this price. The upper-end ones, though expensive, are well worth the price considering the top of the class features and technology that they provide.

Mileage and Fuel Efficiency:

As for the fuel consumption figures, I averaged around 14-15 km/l with the 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine in my driving under mixed conditions. This is commendable for this size and performance category, but it is not best in class. The diesel variant, which I did not try a lot, apparently features better fuel efficiency in a range of around 18-20 km/l.

However, there are cases where the real efficiency could be far off from factory values based on the circumstances. I have to say in city traffic, the start-stop technology helped in saving some quantity of gas.

Competitors and Comparison:

Tata Curvv occupies a brutal niche and is up against an almost finished market that includes stalwarts like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos as well as the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Unlike these competitors, the Curvv appears rather interesting due to its sporty and elegant coupe-suv body structure. It also makes for a more premium sporty look that will certainly attract attention. As for the features, the Curvv was on the level of its competitors, and sometimes even better with some areas of infotainment, safety technology, and even ADAS.

In terms of performance, its turbocharged engines deliver an agile driving experience that is on par with its rivals. That said, in terms of performance, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos have more powerful engine options in their top-end variants.

By reason of its coupe-like design, the Curvv sacrifices rear seat space and boot space which is where the Curvv might fail. However, the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos give you more sensible interiors for space seekers.

Getting into competition in terms of pricing, however, the top end models of the Curvv are exhorbitantly priced than other variants. The extravagance cannot be hidden for many consumers due to its unique design and featues that justify the costs.

Conclusion:

It would be safe to say that I gained quite some memories with the Tata Curvv and credit goes to Tata Motors for being quite remarkable. The Curvv Does give an impressive balance of design, power and technology that we all know is very competitive.

Its unique design, functional equipment and improving driving characteristics are its competitev advantages. There is something for everybody in terms of powertain options and well specced variants.

The Curvv though, may not be the most user friendly option for those who are looking for rear seat comfort or maximum boot space, gives up an appealing package for people going after more fashionable and tech advanced small SUV.

As a reviewer, I also feel that the Tata Curvv can disrupt the compact SUV space in India. It is a significant leap for Tata Motors and demonstrates the company’s capability in making products that can be able to put up a good fight against the best globally.

To the prospective buyers the Curvv brings in a new proposal – an SUV with the shape and aesthetics of a Coupe with an array of features and good driving experience. It may not be the best option for every person but those with a design and technology oriented approach will get a lot interested in the Tata Curvv.