Tata Curvv 1.2 Hyperion Petrol Turbo GDI - Accomplished + A Variant - MT
Review after driving it for 40 km
Positive Points
- Build: The build quality, paint, and overall feel of the vehicle, inside and out, are top-grade. Tata has almost perfected it for this segment. You never feel like getting out of the vehicle while driving it.
- Design: Curvv's design has personally grown on me over time, and it looks far better in person than on screen. It was an eye-catcher in Goa, where I was often surrounded by onlookers during the walkaround. It looks unique, has a good size, and boasts distinctive design elements, especially at the rear.
- Thought Process: The overall idea behind the Tata Curvv is to provide a balance of safety, features, technology, comfort, and performance. By offering the DCA Automatic with all three engine types, a range of accessories upfront, and even an EV option, Tata seems very serious about making this product successful and aims to reach overall sales of 55,000 units monthly. No matter your budget, there's a Tata Curvv for you.
- Comfort: The seats felt comfortable, and the ventilated seats added to the convenience. ADAS features like lane assist and lane departure warning worked fine during the drive. The AC was bone-chilling, and the glass area at the front and sides felt good. The cabin was quiet, and the overall experience was pleasant and enjoyable. The car felt planted with its 18-inch wheels and 215 mm tires. Braking was precise, thanks to the Atlas architecture and 4 discs in the Hyperion variant. The 208 mm ground clearance and suspension tuned on the softer side ensured a comfortable ride on all kinds of roads. However, in Goa, most roads were in good condition.
- Features: All variants are intelligently feature-loaded. I’ve made a dedicated video on this on Twitter and YouTube. Packed with convenience and safety features like 6 airbags, ESC, Auto Hold, Park Pilot, Hill Descent Control, auto LED headlights with fog lamps and cornering lamps, electric tailgate, 360-degree camera, sequential LED DRLs, 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android/Apple connectivity, 9 speakers, auto-dimming IRVM, powered seats, auto rain-sensing wipers, ADAS Level 2, digital cockpit, 4 disc brakes, telematics with IRA app, wireless charging, and more, you’ll feel covered for the next decade if you go for the mid or upper variants.
- Drive: Tata has finally addressed the weak point in their lineup: the petrol engine. With the gasoline direct injection Turbo 1.2 Hyperion 3-cylinder producing 225 Nm of torque, they've hit the sweet spot for customers who wanted to own a Tata vehicle but looked elsewhere because a GDi turbo wasn't available. It feels great to drive—fairly quick, pulls nicely from low speeds even in higher gears, and NVH levels inside the cabin feel controlled at city speeds. The engine note sounds sweet when you rev it high. It returns 16+ km/l when you drive it consistently in 5th and 6th gear at speeds under 90 km/h. It's very much on par with what the competition offers under 1.5 Turbo.
Areas to Improve
- The rear seat is perfect for two passengers and one child. Three adults would be a squeeze, the middle headrest is missing, and the headspace is just about average. Ingress and egress might not be super comfortable for older passengers.
- The overall fit and finish were nearly perfect in my petrol car, but it was slightly off in a few places in the diesel DCA variant. Panel gaps are mostly tight, giving the car a polished look.
- Because of the coupe styling, the rear window is less tall, making it impossible to have a functioning wiper. You'll have to rely on the reverse camera while driving.
- The steering feel is better than 8 out of 10 cars out there, but the precision and feedback aren't as perfect as in European cars. The steering design, with its protruding buttons, takes some time to get used to
- The touch AC panel works fine, but the units display on the infotainment screen, so it takes some time to get used to.
- Only one-way steering adjustment is available; telescopic adjustment is missing.
- The digital cockpit screen provided in the mid variant doesn't feel very upmarket. Tata should consider offering a more premium-looking display with better fonts and eye-friendly visuals. Additionally, window buttons, except in the driver's area, aren't backlit.
- Four disc brakes should have been standard across all variants, as they are in the EVs. An underbody engine cover should have been provided, at least in the top variants, similar to what the Korean competition offers.
A Few Points of Appreciation
- Liked how the screw mechanism was covered in the panoramic sunroof.
- The under-dashboard area at the front, where you rest your feet, felt neat with no dangling wires.
- Paint thickness, door glass thickness, and insulation rubber beading are generously provided, with no signs of visible cost-cutting. There are lamps in the boot, and the spare tire has a 215 mm width as well.
- The boot layout looks neat, and the dedicated ISOFIX mounts are a good addition.
