TATA CURVV EV

Driving Tata Motor's first ever midsize premium SUV, in electric form

- ABHISHEK PANDEY

It wouldn’t be wrong to say Tata Motors has been enjoying a clear domination in the passenger EVs space. So much so that this time, as it enters the hugely popular mid-size SUV with the Curvv, the car maker has launched the Curvv’s electric version first! Does this unprecedented move signal the carmaker’s confidence in its all-new EV platform and is the confidence justified? There’s only one way to find out. Let’s talk design first.

Coupe SUVs seem to be the automotive design theme for 2024 and the Curvv EV fits right in. Its front resembles the Nexon with a grille that’s slightly different. We would have liked a different face to help the Curvv stand out in the current sea of Nexons on our roads! Thankfully, that is where the similarity ends though. The Curvv EV’s standout design feature is a sloping roofline, typical of coupe SUVs, which merges into the C-pillar. This gives it a contemporary and upscale look akin to more expensive coupe SUVs. Another cool touch are the flush fitting illuminated door handles that replace traditional door handles. While the design is impressive, I believe a more banana-like flow of the lines from the front hood to the rear would have enhanced the Curvv’s side profile. The Curvv EV is – obviously – larger than the Nexon EV, as it is 4,310mm long, 1,810mm wide and 1,637mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,560mm, a marginal increase of 62mm over the Nexon EV’s wheelbase. The top end version we drove was running 215/55 R18 tyres, which added to its appearance, though the gap in the wheel arches still looked a bit much. Our test car, finished in what Tata Motors calls the ‘Virtual Sunshine’ hue, which in essence is a light shade of blue, looked stunning thanks to its dual-tone finish and also got me a lot of attention.

Compared to the Nexon EV, there are a lot of improvements on the build quality front, especially the overall fit-finish levels. That said, panel gaps are inconsistent in some places, but not too glaring.