Comparison: Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt

While the massive success of the first Coupe SUV, the BMW X6, blazed the trail of this special body type, it was limited to the luxury car space so far. Now the trend is trickling down to mass-market cars and Tata and Citroen are among the first movers. First, the French carmaker launched the Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV, then Tata launched the Tata Curvv Coupe SUV. Even though both these coupe SUVs have a lot of competition from other mid-size SUVs, being the first of their kind, their main rivalry is naturally with each other. Moreover, along with being important to Tata Motors and Citroen, this rivalry is imperative for the entire Indian automobile industry to know what the future of mass-market Coupe SUVs will be. Therefore, in this article, we compare Citroen Basalt and Tata Curvv on paper to find out which one is superior and why.

Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt: Dimensions

First things first, let’s look at how well the Tata Curvv and Citroen Basalt can accommodate passengers. The Tata Curvv is 45 mm wider and 37 mm taller than the Citroen Basalt. Whereas, the Basalt is 44 mm longer and has a 91 mm longer wheelbase than the Curvv. In the real world, the Basalt offers better legroom, however, the rear seat of the Curvv can better accommodate three adults. Moreover, with a 208 mm ground clearance, the Curvv rides higher, making light work of driving over bad roads and absorbing all jerks and bumps. Another advantage of the Curvv is the powered tailgate with gesture activation. Therefore, to open the boot lid, all you need to do is extend your foot under the rear bumper.

Coming to the styling, despite having the same body type, the Basalt and Curvv are very distinct in their designs. Based on the Tata Nexon, the Curvv carries many similarities such as the LED light bar at the front, which stretches across the width, and the split headlamps set up. However, the difference comes from the metallic embroidery on the grille and the latticed parametric design on the bumper. On the side, it features flush door handles – the first Tata car to feature such a door-handle setup, and waistline rises across the length. At the back, much like the front, an LED bar runs across the width, while the bumper is chunky to give it some muscle. Overall, the Curvv looks striking.

The Basalt is no less of a stunner. Based on the Citroen C3 Aircross, the Basalt shares most of its design elements with it. The face is almost the same with the chromed double chevron logo, split chromed grille, split headlamp setup, and V-shaped placement of the LED DRLs. On the side, it gets a pinched window line and unlike the Curvv, the Basalt doesn’t have a rising waistline and features conventional lift-type door handles. At the back, it gets stylish stubby wraparound tail lamps and like the Curvv, a chunky bumper.

In terms of size, the Tata Curvv and Citroen Basalt don’t differ much from each other. However, the Curvv can better accommodate three passengers at the back, while the Basalt offers more legroom. Meanwhile, both look attractive but in different ways.

Also read: Comparison: Mahindra Thar Roxx vs Jeep Wrangler

Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt: Engine & Transmission

In the mechanical department, the Tata Curvv offers three different engines. These include a turbo petrol engine and a turbo diesel engine carried over from the Nexon, and an all-new direct-injection turbo petrol engine. Whereas, the Basalt offers only one petrol engine in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms.

All engines of the Curvv are more powerful than the petrol engine of the Citroen Basalt. Moreover, it’s the only car in India to offer a dual-clutch transmission with a diesel engine. It’s also worth mentioning that the Curvv offers paddle shifters, while the Basalt doesn’t. Since the Curvv has just been launched, it is yet to be known how it drives.

On the other hand, the Basalt drives and handles excellently. Even though it’s the less powerful car in this comparison, its turbo petrol engine doesn’t feel underpowered on the roads. Furthermore, as is the case with Citroen cars, the Basalt delivers an exceptionally pleasant ride quality and aptly soaks up all the jerks from the surface underneath. Its Aisin-sourced torque converter automatic complements the engine well in delivering a smooth drive. However, the naturally aspirated engine, which is limited to the base variant can feel underpowered for a car of this size. 

The Tata Curvv offers more engine options and all its engines are more powerful than the petrol engine of the Basalt. Moreover, it’s the only car in India to offer a DCT automatic with a diesel engine. On the other hand, the Basalt drives and rides excellently.

Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt: Features & Comfort

The insides of both these Coupe SUVs are premium, however, the Curvv does feel a notch above the Basalt. The Curvv shares most of its interior with the Tata Nexon, such as the neat dashboard with a leatherette finish, trapezoidal AC vents, and the same free-standing 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, it differentiates itself with a four-spoke steering wheel, which has been borrowed from the Tata Harrier, and the dual-tone burgundy-black colour theme. All the seats are well-bolstered and serve the great comfort Tata cars are known for. Meanwhile, the Basalt shares its interior with the Citroen C3 Aircross and feels youthful with some quirky design elements such as the ring-like pattern on the AC vents, unique motif on the dashboard, and more.

In the feature department, the Curvv is significantly richer than the Basalt. In addition to a more premium sound system, the Curvv offers the advantages of power adjustment for the driver seat, ventilated front seats, cruise control, drive modes that add flexibility, and a panoramic sunroof which uplifts the overall experience. On the other hand, while the Basalt is not as feature-packed as the Curvv, it has enough modern-day essentials to deliver a comfortable and convenient ride, such as automatic climate control, wireless phone charger, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay connectivity for the infotainment, and unique and very useful feature – adjustable thigh support up to 87 mm.

The Tata Curvv is more premium on the inside and offers substantially more features. However, the Basalt is equipped with enough modern-day features to deliver a hassle-free ride.

Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt: Safety Features

It’s hard beating Tata cars on the safety front and so is the case here. Not only is the Tata Curvv more robust, but it also features more safety equipment, including an electronic parking brake with Auto hold and a Level-2 ADAS safety suite which offers adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive steering assist, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, high beam assist, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision warning, blind spot detection, and driver doze-off alert. On the other hand, the Basalt is decently equipped and features 6 airbags as standard, ABS with EBD, ESP, type pressure monitor, hill hold assist, rear camera, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child mounts.

Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt: Price comparison

Tata is yet to reveal the prices for all the automatic variants of the Tata Curvv, however, the price for the entry-level turbo petrol-DCT variant is Rs 12.49 lakh, the entry-level turbo diesel-DCT variant is Rs 13.99 lakh, and the entry-level TDGI-DCT variant is Rs 16.49 lakh. 

Such price of this Indian Coupe SUV brings this comparison in balance. Though the Citroen Basalt misses some features and is not as robust and less powerful than the Tata Curvv, it is significantly affordable and a great value-for-money offering.

Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt: Summary

The Tata Curvv is certainly a more appealing offering than the Citroen Basalt. It’s a better five-seater, safer, more feature-rich, and offers larger boot space. But it brings all these advantages at a considerable premium over the price of the Basalt. The Tata Curvv should be your car if you want the best passenger safety with a strong and fresh alternative to mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.

On the other hand, the Citroen Basalt should suffice most of your needs. It drives easily and delivers great ride comfort. Most importantly, it is considerably more affordable than the Tata Curvv and all other mid-size SUVs. As a matter of fact, it almost matches the price of sub-4m compact SUVs. So, if you are looking for a rather affordable car for your family, which features all the essential features and delivers an excellent ride, the Citroen Basalt should be the one to go for.

Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt: FAQs