The Tata Curvv and Citroen Basalt are setting out to make a splash in the midsize SUV segment with their unique body styles, and will directly compete with one another, among the bevy of SUVs in this fiercely competitive segment. The Basalt's aggressive Rs 7.99 lakh starting price has made the news, while the Curvv's segment-first features and variety of powertrain options has brought it a fair amount of attention. We bring the two together, on paper, to find out which one has an advantage.
Citroen Basalt vs Tata Curvv: Dimensions
| Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt: Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Curvv | Basalt | |
| Length (mm) | 4308 | 4352 |
| Width (mm) | 1810 | 1765 |
| Height (mm) | 1630 | 1593 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2560 | 2651 |
| Tyre size | 215/55 R18 | 205/60 R16 |
| Fuel tank (litres) | 44 | 45 |
| Boot (litres) | 500 | 470 |
While the Tata Curvv is 45mm wider and 37mm taller than the Citroen Basalt, the French carmaker's coupe-SUV is 44mm longer overall, and has a wheelbase that is also 91mm longer. This bodes well for rear seat legroom in the Basalt, though shoulder and headroom on the Curvv may be comparitively more.
Both models have similar sized fuel tanks, but the Tata coupe-SUV has the edge in terms of boot space and wheel and tyre sizes.
Citroen Basalt vs Tata Curvv: Powertrains
| Tata Curvv vs Citroen Basalt: Powertrains | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curvv Revotron | Curvv Hyperion | Basalt Puretech 82 | Basalt Puretech 110 | |
| Engine | 1.2L, 3-cyl, turbo | 1.2L, 3-cyl, direct injection turbo | 1.2L, 3-cyl | 1.2L, 3-cyl, turbo |
| Power | 120hp | 125hp | 82hp | 110hp |
| Torque | 170Nm | 225Nm | 115Nm | 190-205Nm |
| Manual gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Automatic gearbox | 7-speed dual-clutch | 7-speed dual-clutch | - | 6-speed torque convertor |
It is interesting to note that both SUVs come with two petrol engine options, with Tata offering two turbo-petrol units and Citroen offering a naturally aspirated and a turbochrged one. However, in either case, the Basalt's output figures more or less lag behind the Curvv's.
In addition, the 82hp engine on the Basalt comes with a manual gearbox only, while the Curvv gets a dual-clutch auto with both its petrol engines. Do note that when paired with the torque convertor automatic, the Basalt's 110hp turbo-petrol engine produces 15Nm more than the manual version. Nonetheless, it is the Curvv's direct injection turbo-petrol that is the most powerful.
Tata's Curv will also come with a diesel engine option, and there's already an all-electric version priced between Rs 17.49 lakh* and Rs 21.99 lakh*. Speaking of price, the entry-level Basalt's price does undercut all its rivals in the midsize SUV segment by over Rs 1 lakh.
Citroen will reveal the full price list later this month, and Tata will announce prices for the Curvv in petrol and diesel form on September 2. We'll have to compare them at that point, and then on the road as well, to gain a better idea of how these two unique coupe-SUVs fare, but on paper, the Curvv does seem to have the advantage.
