Tata Curvv Petrol, Diesel Review: Best Compact SUV In India?

An all-new platform, all new powertrains, and an all-new body style. Yes, Tata Motors is taking an all-new direction towards looking at cars, but has it been successful? Well, some things have changed. Some things have remained similar. But let's get into the review to find out more about both the petrol and the diesel model. 

Tata Curvv: Exterior Design

The Coupe SUV bodystyle has worked in Tata’s favour and has managed to grab the attention of people, no doubt there. And the design on these ICE versions is on similar lines as the EV. But there are a few differences. The front bumper, the grille design, umm, yeah that’s it. I have spoken enough about the design of this one, two videos already covering each aspect in detail, you can watch both the videos here and here.

Tata Curvv: Engine 

This time around the focus is more on the two new engines. The diesel or as Tata Motors likes to call it KyroJet and the petrol aka Hyperion. But does it do justice to that name? Hyperion. 

Well, in city and eco mode, it does not. There is a lack of power coming in, and, you know, it's anyway tuned for fuel efficiency. So clearly that does not work. But in sport mode, yes, it does do justice. And you know what? Even though the torque kicks in as low as 1750 rpm, it stays on about 3000 rpm. So 225 Nm off it. And then there is the boost that comes in. Now as far as power is concerned, there's 123 bhp on offer. And yes, this one has a strong mid-range, which makes it better because even if you kind of change gears at around 3500 rpm or even below that, there is always power at your disposal, which is great.

Now it's great to see Tata Motors also make this Hyperion set of engines in-house. This is the first time that no consultation has been done from an external party. So that's something that shows off the company's R&D prowess. But having this turbocharged petrol engine, it comes at a price. It is not available in the base variant. It is only available from the creative S variant, which costs ₹14 lakh onwards. So yes, you have to pay a price for this specific engine. Are you willing to do that?

Tata Curvv: Ride & Handling

Now Tata Motors has said that it has worked extensively on the NVH of the car and in fact it also says that it’s HYPERQUIET! The ride continues to be sophisticated. We saw that even in the Curvv. You witnessed it there, and I couldn't help myself but say that it was one of the best that Tata had brought in. And it continues with the ICE versions as well. It just creases any rough patches on the road. Kudos to the engineering team there for getting it right, because even small undulations on the road, taken in with ease on the Curvv.

That's comfortable in the front and at the rear. No body roll as such, even the ride, the steering wheel is very precise. So even if you turn into a corner and it just sticks. And that's also because of the 18-inch wheels. They just have so much grip and that gives you the confidence. But there is a downside to that, because 18-inch wheels means they have bigger tyres and there's a lot of tyre noise that creeps into the cabin. 

Tata Curvv: Gearbox

And then there is the gearbox. Now with the Hyperion, you get the options of a 6-speed manual and an automatic. But we got the manual transmission. The throws are slightly longer than expected, especially in this car. And the clutch is extremely smooth in operation, so it won't take a toll on your left leg. It's great. I thought the travel was a bit longer earlier, but once you start using it, you don't mind it. I don't think it's, longer at all. It's actually pretty nice. And the operation is, as I said, very smooth. The only problem with this gearbox is that unlike, say, in a Maruti where the gearbox slots in properly here, there is that slight hesitation because there is a jerk that you feel every time you shift. And, that's why you know, that feeling of the gear getting into the slot. 

Now, Tata Motors is the only manufacturer in its entire segment, providing customers with petrol, diesel, and electric powertrains. So, it does have an upper hand, and it's giving customers the choice to basically choose between anything that they want. And that's the kind of power that the company has. But this one is based on an all-new platform; company calls it ATLAS. 

Tata Curvv: Performance

Now it is capable of different powertrains, but the Curvv.ev was not based on the Atlas platform. But the ICE versions are, and it gives Tata Motors a lot more flexibility to bring out different sizes of vehicles and different body styles as well. Now, this is the diesel that we are driving. It's a 1.5-litre Kryojet engine.

It's good enough as far as power is concerned. 116 bhp on offer, 250 Nm of torque on offer. Now that 250 Nm is available from as low as 1500 rpm. And it's it continues to give you that much amount of power till about 3000 rpm, which is great because then you don't have any lag. 

But in the initial acceleration, that's where the lag is. And you don't enjoy it because till 1500 rpm it's basically dull and it just tries to pick up as much as it can. And though the gearbox tries to feed it all that power, it just cannot. So yes, initial acceleration is a bit of an issue. 

We asked Tata Motors if it has worked on the NVH levels on the diesel, because on the Nexon it was pretty prominent. The noise was very prominent in this one, though. It has worked on the NVH levels of the car, but still, you can hear the engine creep into the cabin. 

But there’s one thing that’s a redeeming factor and that’s the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Tata Motors is trying to bring the affordability quotient. it's offered in all three powertrains derived from the Kryojet and even the Hyperion, which is great. 

Getting in the affordable bracket is a good sign, and it works well. I mean, the inputs are quick. If I downshift, it's immediate. It's not a late reaction. So to say, and it keeps providing power to the wheels. And that's what you need in a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

There's also efficiency as well in this. So yes, it's all, you know, packaged in one deal which is great in this kind of an engine. You get the DCT from the one variant above the base that is the Pure+ and goes all the way up to the Accomplished+. So, there are many variants within that that you get. 

So it begins from ₹14 lakh going all the way up to ₹19 lakh. That is a huge margin and that's why it makes it a better proposition. So, kudos to Tata Motors to provide customers with a range of options and not just giving it in the top-end variants. 

Tata Curvv: Dimensions

Now the ICE versions of the Curvv are based on the new ATLAS platform. This platform will underpin vehicles between 3900 mm to 4600 mm in length, with varying wheelbase and width. Even the upcoming Sierra EV will be based on this very platform and so will the next-gen Nexon. 

Tata Curvv: Tech & Interior 

On the features front, nothing much has changed as compared to the EV version. The cabin looks the same and has the same touchscreen system. Have you checked out our in-depth tech review on it yet? There’s ADAS on the top variant and the colour palette on the inside, depends on the variant you choose. I really fell in love with this burgundy cabin and was totally in love with it. 

Tata Curvv: Prices & Variants

The Curvv petrol and diesel are available in 8 variants and the base is not the bare bones version, and while the petrol begins from ₹10 lakh to ₹18 lakh, the diesel begins from ₹11.50 lakh going all the way up to ₹19 lakh rupees. So, the spectrum is massive. 

Tata has managed to undercut everyone at the base petrol variant except the Citroen Basalt, which begins at ₹8 lakh. In fact, it’s managed to undercut all competition with the diesel too. 

Tata Curvv: Verdict

The Curvv certainly will make customers rethink about the compact SUV space but had the petrol been a more wholesome experience and more space on offer at the rear, things would have been even better. The diesel is the winner but with norms about to change, will this engine make it to the next cycle? We are not too sure. 

The Curvv makes an impression and a curve ball from Tata for the rest of the gang of the Indian automotive industry.