Spec Comparo: Citroen Basalt vs Tata Curvv

SUV-coupes are all the rage right now, so we check out how the newest two–Citroen Basalt and Tata Curvv compare on the spec sheet.

Citroen and Tata’s latest models, the Citroen Basalt and Tata Curvv are bringing the SUV-coupe body style, previously only within the reach of luxury car buyers, to the masses. Both cars have the silhouette of a four-door coupé with the high-riding stance of an SUV. While the prices of the Tata Curvv have not been revealed, we estimate it to start from about Rs 9.50 lakh, while the Citroen Basalt begins from Rs 7.99 lakh (all ex-showroom).
 

Powertrain
Citroen Basalt
Tata Curvv

Type
1.2-litre petrol
1.2-litre turbo-petrol
1.2-litre turbo-petrol
1.2-litre turbo GDI (petrol)
1.5-litre turbo-diesel

Power (hp)
82
110
120
125
118

Torque (Nm)
115
190/205
170
225
260

Transmissions
5MT
6MT/6AT
6MT/7DCA
6MT/7DCA
6MT/7DCA

 
Both the Citroen Basalt and Tata Curvv are offered with 1.2-litre, in-line, three-cylinder, petrol power plants, however, the Basalt comes with two flavours in the form of naturally aspirated and turbocharged, and there’s quite a bit of difference between the outputs of the two engines. The Tata Curvv on the other hand comes only in turbocharged form, but there are still two flavours, MPFi and GDi, with Tata’s GDi technology being offered for the first time in the Curvv. It also receives the diesel engine from its stable mates. There are fewer transmission options, but interestingly the Curvv diesel gets the seven-speed DCA option; a first for a diesel car. The Tata Nexon doesn’t offer this powertrain combo yet.
 

Dimensions
Citroen Basalt
Tata Curvv

Length (mm)
4352
4308

Width (mm)
1765
1810

Height (mm)
1593
1630

Wheelbase (mm)
2651
2560

Boot (litres)
470
500

Fuel tank (litres)
45
44

 
Between the Citroen Basalt and the Tata Curvv, the former is longer but lower, and with a suitably longer wheelbase as well. Despite this, the Tata Curvv manages to beat the Citroen Basalt in terms of cargo space, though rear seat headroom may prove to be quite different. Both cars have nearly identical fuel capacity, and there are no official ground clearance figures from either manufacturer.
 

Features
Citroen Basalt
Tata Curvv

Touchscreen infotainment
10.25-inch (Plus and above)
7-inch (10.25-inch for Creative and above)

LED headlamps
PureTech 110 Plus and Max
Yes

Automatic climate control
PureTech 110 Plus and Max
Creative and above

Rear AC vents
PureTech 110 Plus and Max
NA

Reversing camera
Max
Pure+ and above

360° camera
No
Creative+S and above

Tilt steering
Plus and above
Yes

Height adjustable driver seat
Plus and above
Yes

Rear seat adjustability
Seat base
Seat back (Accomplished S and above)

 
In terms of features, the Citroen Basalt misses out on quite a few things which are considered necessities by today’s car buyers, and one of the more obvious ones is the 360° camera. Furthermore, the Basalt misses out on an infotainment touchscreen entirely on its base model, according to the brochure, and quite a few features, such as LED headlamps, auto climate control and rear a-c vents, can only be availed if you opt for the more powerful engine as, despite the Plus trim being offered with both engines, the low-output model doesn’t get these features. On the other hand, the Tata Curvv offers a lot of kit, but some of the more useful features are restricted to higher trim levels. These include automatic climate control, offered on Creative and above, while the Pure base model even misses out on a reversing camera, which is something we see on the Basalt as well. At least the base powertrain in the Tata Curvv can be specced in almost any of the available trim levels, and you don’t have to shell out extra cash for the more powerful engine just to access some features.
 

Price
Citroen Basalt
Tata Curvv

Ex-showroom
Rs 7.99 lakh (onwards)
Rs 9.5 lakh (estimated)

 
As we have mentioned before, the price of the Tata Curvv is not out yet, but we estimate it to be Rs 1.5 lakh dearer than the equivalent Nexon, which means it should start at Rs 9.5 lakh, whereas the Citroen Basalt starts from Rs 7.99 lakh, and the Turbo model starts from Rs 11.49 lakh (all ex-showroom).
 
Tags: 2024, CAR India, Citroen Basalt, Citroen Basalt Price, Citroen Basalt Specs, Tata Curvv, Tata Curvv price, Tata Curvv Specs