Tata Curvv petrol vs diesel review: Which engine option is better?

The Tata Curvv is certainly one of the most unique products that the automaker has launched in recent times. And that’s saying something. I remember seeing the concept version of this car about two years ago and I thought it was a bold step for Tata back then. Fast forward to today and we have the production version of this coupe-SUV. It looks very similar to what we saw back then and it looks just as quirky. While you might have seen our review of the battery-powered Curvv, it was time for me to get my hands on the petrol version of this coupe-SUV.

Tata Curvv review: Design

Design is subjective but if you ask me what I think about the looks of the Curvv, I would rate it highly. Tata has already succeeded in the design space and the Curvv is another example of that success. It almost reminds me of the vehicle from the game Cyberpunk 2077. The design is very similar to the EV avatar and it has the same coupe-SUV silhouette. You will find the same stylish DRLs and light bar with welcome feature at the front while the rear is dominated by connected tail lamps. The proportions are also the same. Since we were driving the top variant of the Curvv, it came with smart 18-inch alloy wheels. However, the lower variants are available in 16-inch and 17-inch options. What I really like is that flush door handles are offered even in the base variant of the Curvv. In fact, LED lighting is also standard across the range.

Where the Curvv differs is in the grille design. The EV has a closed design, while the combustion model has some shiny highlights and openings to let air in, just like a conventional car. The bumper design is also similar, and overall I prefer this design to the EV’s. It adds more character to the front of the vehicle.

Despite the futuristic design of the Curvv, I did find some quality issues. For example, one of the two cars we tested had very ugly weld marks on the trunk frame that were clearly visible. There was also a large gap between the black plastic around the liftgate and the metal frame. In fact, the interior rear-view mirror on our diesel car fell off when we tried to adjust it. Not all cars have these problems, which means Tata will have to pay close attention to its quality control department if they don’t want to give customers a bad experience.

Tata Curvv review: Interior space and features

Like the exterior, the interior design and feature set of the Curvv is exactly the same as its EV sibling with just a few changes. Instead of a bright white interior, it offers a dark interior, which should be easier to maintain and also looks good. My favorite aspect is probably the well-designed large 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Its user interface is quite good and you can even choose to display Google Maps on it, making navigation more intuitive. The top-spec Curvv offers a 12.3-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, while the lower-spec models offer 10.25-inch and 7-inch options. This large display is great for readability of content, but the animations could be a little smoother. It’s not that the system is slow to respond, but the animation lag makes it feel more sluggish than it actually is. The infotainment system supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which wins the Curvv some extra points. Higher-spec models also come with a 9-speaker JBL surround sound system, which has very good sound quality. However, I don’t think it’s as impressive as some of its competitors.

I even liked the 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat – it provided good comfort for my drive. The front seats also have ventilation, but the ventilation button is located at the bottom of the seat, which is not the most convenient place to reach. The center console has space for a few USB charging ports and a wireless charging pad, but there are still no cup holders.

The rear seats offer good cushioning and are equipped with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports of Type A and Type C. However, due to the sloping roof, headroom is affected, especially if you’re as tall as I am (6 feet). If you want that fairly nice roof, you’ll have to compromise in this regard. To make things slightly better, the rear seatbacks can be tilted, even if just a little. The door pockets are still a little narrow, and you’re better off using the cup holders in the center armrest. Overall, I don’t have many complaints about the second-row experience other than the space issue.

Tata Curvv review: Luggage space

Before I talk about the boot space, I have to talk about the powered tailgate. It’s great that Tata has included a powered tailgate on the Curvv, it makes daily operation much easier. One minor issue I had with it though is that it takes a few seconds more than most other cars to open the boot after pressing the button. This is by no means a big deal but I did notice it. Now, speaking of boot space, you get 500 litres which is more than enough for six small to medium sized bags. If you choose to fold the second row seats, the cargo area almost doubles. This is one aspect where I don’t think you will have any issues with the Curvv.

Tata Curvv Review: Engine Options

Tata offers three engine options for the Curvv, and we tested two of them. The first is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which is the latest addition to Tata’s lineup. The other is a 1.5-litre Kryojet diesel engine. All engine options can be mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCA (Tata’s version of a dual-clutch).

First, I want to talk about the diesel engine, which produces 116 hp and 260 Nm of torque. The moment you press the accelerator pedal, you feel the full force of the torque. This is a typical diesel engine, it reaches the redline very quickly and there is a big rush every time you change gears. The problem here lies in the DCA. This is a gearbox that is easily confused. Drive gently and you won’t face any problems, but when you start pushing the SUV, you will encounter situations where the gearbox doesn’t know which gear it should be in. I noticed this especially when climbing hills. There is a clear gap between when you press the accelerator to start and when the Curvv actually provides the required power.

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Speaking of the new turbo petrol engine, it’s a lot of fun to drive and very smooth. It’s very quiet if you’re driving slowly or cruising on the highway, and when you start to accelerate, you get a non-jarring roar. Our petrol engine was paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which worked very well too. The gears were well spread out and the shifts were smooth. Overall, I had a lot more fun driving the petrol Curvv with a manual gearbox than the diesel with an automatic gearbox.

Tata Curvv review: Driving experience and handling performance

The suspension is tuned to perfection as is typical of Tata. It strikes a very good balance between comfort and sportiness. I didn’t feel too much of a bump on the rough roads and felt confident when it came time to tackle some bends. Even at higher speeds, the Curvv never strays from its intended path. Yes, the steering could be a bit more direct for more precision, but I’m just nitpicking here. I do feel the brake pedal feels a bit too wooden, though. It feels heavy to apply and the stopping power isn’t that responsive.

While driving, I also noticed that the A-pillars are a bit thick, which can hinder vision somewhat, especially when looking to the right. It’s also a bit difficult to judge where the edges are, due to the shape of the hood and how you sit inside the car. I really liked the quality of the surround-view camera, though. It offers bright and clear vision, unlike some other cars. You also get 20 Level 2 ADAS features in the Curvv, and they work well. I recommend leaving the automatic braking on its most relaxed setting, otherwise the Curvv will sometimes slam on the brakes too early.

Tata Curvv Review: Conclusion

While I am impressed with the design of the Curvv, there are still some quality issues that Tata needs to address. The interior is fairly luxurious and functional, but the storage space and rear headroom are a bit lacking. The petrol engine is quite fun, especially when paired with the manual gearbox. The diesel engine is also torquey, but the automatic gearbox can be a hassle. Where the Curvv really excels is the price tag that Tata offers for a coupe SUV. Starting at Rs 9.99 lakh and going up to Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom), it is great value for money and has a unique style. Yes, if you prioritize these, a conventional SUV will give you more space and practicality. If you are looking for a unique set of wheels with great functionality, the Curvv will be a good choice.

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