Tata Curvv EV Review: More Than Just Eye Candy

The Tata Curvv EV is an electric compact SUV measuring just over 4.3 metres in length. While its petrol/diesel counterpart competes with a long range of SUVs (like the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia Seltos), the Tata Curvv EV’s closest direct alternative is the MG ZS EV.

Exterior

Viewed head-on, most will find it hard to tell the Curvv EV apart from the Tata Nexon EV. Both share a nearly identical design language, one that is no doubt, attractive. The one giveaway with the Curvv is the cutout you will see for the charge port. It’s similar to what we first saw in the Punch EV, though, here, it opens and closes electrically.

The connected LED DRLs have welcome and goodbye animations linked to the car’s lock with the outer edges doubling up as sequential turn-indicators. The LED projector headlamps are integrated low down and below them are LED fog lights that come with the cornering function (corresponding to steering inputs) to enhance driving safety.

But of course, the side profile is where the Curvv’s claim to fame lies. The coupe-SUV design makes the Curvv stand out quite easily though some may find it polarising, at least until they start seeing enough of them running on the road. The 18-inch alloy wheels have aero-flaps for improved efficiency and for the same purpose, the car also features flush fitting door handles with small lights on them to make spotting them easier. While they look cool, these door handles can take some getting used to, especially because they don’t pop out for you like they do in the Mahindra XUV700. 

The rear end gets a connected LED light strip with sequential indicators too. Thanks to the sharp angle of the rear windshield and the roof mounted spoiler, this is the angle that’ll have many calling it the “desi Lamborghini Urus”. Given the size of the car, Tata’s managed to deliver quite a stand-out design especially since most coupe-SUVs have more length and height to play with in order to deliver the “wow” factor of this unusual body style. 

Interior

There is a strong connection to the Tata Nexon here as well. The Curvv’s dashboard design and most of the interior trim looks and feels like a direct lift from its sub-4 metre sibling. The silver contrast trim on the dashboard looks cool and the choice of white and grey interior, coupled with the four-spoke steering from the Tata Safari makes the cabin look premium. Even the door pads get some soft padding to uplift the experience in the cabin.

However, a good deal of the plastics, especially those on the dash-top and the lower half of the dashboard, are of the same scratchy variety as what we’ve seen in the Nexon and don’t feel like they belong in a car at this price.

Ergonomic oddities from the Nexon have been carried forward too:

• The front USB and 12V socket are hard to reach because of the centre console’s oddly shaped piano-black panel

• There are no usable cupholders

• Tall drivers (6ft and above) will need to set their seat far back but the steering only adjusts for tilt, not reach, resulting in a driving position where you’re stretching out to hold the steering wheel if you’re tall

The Curvv is a size larger than the Nexon and while the wheelbase is larger by about 62mm, the actual cabin space available doesn’t feel like an upgrade in comparison. A passenger who is 5ft 8 inches tall will be comfortable behind their own driving position but anyone taller than that will want for more headroom, more knee room and also better underthigh support. The Curvv EV’s battery pack does raise the floor height* a bit so tall passengers can land up sitting a bit knees up.

* Unlike the Nexon EV medium range (MR) vs the Nexon EV long range (LR), the floor height is the same in the Curvv EV, irrespective of which battery pack you choose

There is no notable difference in cabin width vs Nexon either, so the interior space and experience is similar to the Nexon’s. While that in itself does make it spacious enough for most, it’s not the upgrade you expect when you’re moving up a size segment. In that sense, the Curvv EV makes the most sense for small families with occupants of an average height.

Amenities:

• 45W USB type-C chargers (1 x each row)

• Type-A USB (1 x front row)

• Rear AC vents

• Rear armrest

• Two-step rear seat recline adjustment

Boot Space

At 500 litres of boot space (expandable using 60:40 split rear seats), the Curvv offers enough space for 2 large suitcases or 4 flight cabin-sized trolley bags plus some soft bags. The spare tyre along with a tyre repair kit sit under the boot floor. It’s a practical amount of storage, assisted by a front storage area under the bonnet (frunk) that can fit the portable charger. Practicality aside, the Curvv also gets a gesture-controlled powered-tailgate for hands-free convenience.

Features

The Curvv EV’s features list is expansive and loaded even in its base variant. Here are the highlights:

Safety

Safety features of the Tata Curvv include:

The safety suite also includes Level 2 ADAS which has the following features

Performance

The Curvv EV is a front wheel drive car and Tata’s done well to tune its performance for different drive settings. Eco mode is smooth and usable at city speeds and while throttle response is dull initially there’s still enough punch to manage most overtakes. To make you giggle, Sport mode does offer punchy acceleration and the Curvv EV feels quick when you want to give your friends and family a taste of how enthusiastically EVs accelerate.

*The 7.2kW wallbox charger comes as standard with even the base Creative 45 variant. Given the larger battery size, the option of an 11kW charger would’ve been appreciated

Given the direct drive experience, there’s nothing the Curvv EV will leave you wanting for. It has enough punch to deal with city commutes, weekend road trips with a full passenger load and driving up inclines is easy too. You do have to be careful with your inputs while driving up sharp inclines though as the torque delivery can make the wheels spin easily.

Tata’s also made minor improvements with the brake energy regeneration calibration. There are 4 modes (no regen-1, 2 & max regen) and while max regen is best reserved for crawling traffic, level 1 & 2 are a little smoother than what we experienced in the Nexon which will be appreciated by your passengers above all else.

Ride & Handling

While the Curvv EV’s suspension is set up on the firmer side, it manages most bumps and potholes comfortably. There’s also 190mm of ground clearance to help clear any awkwardly large speed breakers. On the tarmac, the Curvv offers predictable manners and can manage long distance highway cruises comfortably. It’s also easy to maneuver and makes for an easy to live with city car delivering good handling.

Verdict

The Tata Curvv EV delivers a design that is more distinctive and unique than it is polarising. And those who find it polarising, may well get used to the looks once they see enough Curvvs on the road. The tech package leaves you wanting for nothing, and the performance is smooth when you need it to be or fast when you want it to be while switching between these two characteristics seamlessly. 

What is missing though is the sense of space on the inside and the feeling that you’ve moved into a bigger car than the Nexon. It’s the kind of change you experience while going from the Hyundai Venue to the Creta or from the Maruti Suzuki Brezza to the Grand Vitara where you enjoy the feeling of just being in a larger space, besides any feature upgrades. 

The Curvv EV can be a stylish but sensible choice for small families and those looking to buy the Nexon EV may find this switch/upgrade to be within reach with ease.