In a segment full of capable cars, the Tata Curvv offers unique show value with its coupe design. However, the Curvv is more than just a good-looking coupe SUV and offers many perks that make it a capable offering. While the Curvv competes in India’s largest car segment, another strong challenger has recently emerged in the form of the Renault Duster. So, should you prefer a Tata Curvv over a Renault Duster or vice versa? We answer this question in the following article, which compares the Renault Duster and Tata Curvv on key factors so you can decide which one suits your needs.
Renault Duster vs Tata Curvv: Dimensions & Design
| Renault Duster | Tata Curvv | |
| Length | 4,343 mm | 4,308 mm |
| Width | 1,813 mm | 1,810 mm |
| Height | 1,659 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,657 mm | 2,560 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 212 mm | 208 mm |
| Boot Space | 518 litres | 500 litres |
The Renault Duster is 35 mm longer, 3 mm wider, 29 mm taller, and has a 97 mm longer wheelbase compared to the Tata Curvv. Moreover, the Duster offers a larger 518-litre boot than the 500-litre boot of the Tata Curvv. As far as space is concerned, the Duster offers considerably more headroom and legroom to the rear seat passengers, while the limited legroom, headroom, and shoulder room in the rear seat are one of the key drawbacks of the Curvv. All the same, neither of these two SUVs has sufficient space to comfortably accommodate three adults in their rear seats, which are best-suited for two adults on either side and one child or teenager in the middle.
When it comes to the Tata Curvv, the biggest talking point is its design. Its coupe SUV design might not be to everyone’s liking, but it is definitely a head-turner. Its sporty face features an aggressive two-part grille with a chequered motif and a large air dam with a latticed pattern. While slim LED DRLs are connected by a light bar, the main split headlamp assembly is tucked along the edges of the bumper. Its side profile highlights the sloping roof line that drops to a high-deck tail, rising belt line gloss black cladding covering the SUV’s bottom, and flush-fitting door handles. At the rear, the Curvv gets a full-width LED bar, a large rear bumper, a rather raised boot lid, a silver scuff plate, and pronounced enclosures for reflectors and reverse lights. Overall, due to the coupe SUV silhouette, the Curvv looks sportier than the Duster.
On the other hand, the Duster is a more dominant and macho-looking SUV. Its bold and rather upright face features an oversized blacked-out bumper in silver housing, gloss black grille with DUSTER lettering embossed on it, and blocky headlamp assembly. A couple of deep scoops on the bonnet and functional air ducts lower down add a sporty touch. Over to the side, the Duster features muscular hunches over the angular wheel arches, rugged black cladding running across the SUV’s bottom, C-pillar-mounted rear door handles, and sleek 18-inch black alloy wheels. At the back, the Duster gets an upright tailgate, the quirky arrow-shaped taillamps are connected by a light bar, a sporty spoiler, and a dual-tone bumper with a silver surround.
The Renault Duster is larger and more spacious than the Tata Curvv. As far as the visual appeal goes, the Duster looks more muscular and macho, while the Curvv looks sportier in comparison.
Renault Duster vs Tata Curvv: Engine & Transmission
| Renault Duster | Tata Curvv | |
| Engine | 1-litre litre turbo petrol engine 1.3 litre turbo petrol engine 1.8-litre strong hybrid engine | 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine1.5-litre turbo diesel engine1.2-litre Hyperion turbo petrol engine |
| Power | 100 PS (1-litre turbo) 163 PS (1.3-litre turbo) 160 PS (strong hybrid) | 120 PS (turbo petrol) 118 PS (turbo diesel) 125 PS (Hyperion turbo) |
| Torque | 160 Nm (1-litre turbo) 280 Nm (1.-litre turbo) 172 Nm (strong hybrid) | 170 Nm (turbo petrol) 260 Nm (turbo diesel) 225 Nm (Hyperion turbo) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual with 1-litre turbo and 1.3-litre turbo engines 6-speed DCT automatic with 1.3-litre turbo engine DHT with a strong hybrid engine | 6-speed manual gearbox & 7-speed DCA automatic with all engines |
| Mileage | 1-litre litre turbo petrol engine 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine 1.8-litre strong hybrid engine |
The Renault Duster’s entry-level 1-litre turbo petrol engine is the same one which also powers the Renault Kiger compact SUV. While this engine works fine with the Kiger, it can feel underpowered for a car as heavy as the Duster. In comparison, the Curvv’s 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine is significantly more powerful, and it is available with both manual and automatic transmissions, while the Duster’s 1-litre turbo petrol engine is only available with a manual transmission.
Coming to the most powerful engines of these two SUVs, the 1.2-litre TGDi (Hyperion) engine of the Curvv churns out more power than its 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, and is comparatively more refined. However, the Duster’s 1.3-litre turbo petrol (TGDi) engine is far more powerful; as a matter of fact, it is the most powerful engine in the segment.
In terms of performance, the Duster is a driver’s car, as it always has been. Its aptly tuned suspension and steering, along with its powerful engine, make it far more enjoyable to drive than most other cars in the segment, let alone the Curvv. The Curvv offers great ride comfort, as does the Duster, but the Curvv is best-suited for cruising or slow driving and is not built for exciting drives.
Among the other powertrain options, the Curvv offers a 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine, while the Duster has a state-of-the-art strong hybrid unit, which will launch around Diwali this year.
While the Renault Duster offers a lot of driving entertainment and great ride comfort, the Tata Curvv is not as enjoyable to drive, although it too offers commendable ride comfort.
Renault Duster vs Tata Curvv: Features & Comfort
| Renault Duster | Tata Curvv | |
| Infotainment system | 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system | 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system |
| Music system | 6-speaker Arkamys sound system | 9-speaker JBL sound system |
| Climate control | Dual-zone Automatic | Automatic |
| Ventilated seats | Front ventilated seats | Front ventilated seats |
| Adjustable steering | Tilt and Telescopic adjust | Tilt and telescopic |
| Drive modes | Available | Drive modes: Eco, City, Sports |
| Instrument cluster | 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster | 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster |
| Sunroof | Panoramic sunroof | Panoramic sunroof |
| Adjustable seats (manual or electric) | 6-way powered driver and front passenger seats | 6-way powered driver seat |
| Rear AC vents | Available | Available |
| 60:40 rear seat split | Available | Available |
| Cruise control | Available | Available |
On the inside, both Renault Duster and Tata Curvv look and feel premium, but in different ways. The Curvv’s interior layout is more traditional, while the dual-tone burgundy-black interior theme uplifts the visual appeal. It borrows most of the interior elements from the Tata Nexon, for example, the neat and clean dashboard with grooved metallic finish and leatherette padding at the bottom, the free-standing 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, trapezoidal AC vents, and the gloss-black touch-sensitive panel for HVAC controls. Meanwhile, it shares its four-spoke flat-bottom steering with the larger Tata Harrier.
On the other hand, the Duster has a sportier interior layout with an all-black interior theme, carbon fibre finish on the dashboard, and stitching on the seats’ borders. The driver’s seat has been given special attention as the touchscreen and centre console are angled toward it, and the chunky, squarish steering offers a firm grip. Ergonomically, the Duster is better designed; it features physical buttons for most controls, especially the essential ones like HVAC. Compared to the Curvv’s touch-sensitive panel, the physical buttons are easier to access and get used to.
In terms of features, both the Renault Duster and the Tata Curvv are well-equipped. Although the Curvv’s 9-speaker JBL sound system offers better sound quality, the Duster has the advantage of offering a powered front passenger seat.
On the inside, both Renault Duster and Tata Curvv are amply premium; however, the Duster gets a sportier interior layout.
Renault Duster vs Tata Curvv: Safety Features
| Renault Duster | Tata Curvv | |
| NCAP Safety Rating | Not tested | 5-star Bharat NCAP rating |
| Airbags | Six | Six |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Rain-sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| Hill hold assist | Yes | Yes |
| Hill descent control | No | Yes |
| Rear sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Rear parking camera | 360-degree camera | 360-degree camera |
| ISOFIX Child seat anchor points | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Level-2 ADAS features | Level-2 ADAS features |
Both the Renault Duster and Tata Curvv are heavily built SUVs. While the Tata Curvv has already bagged a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP safety test, Renault claims that the Duster is certain to score a 5-star rating too. For the safety equipment, both Renault Duster and Tata Curvv pack more than enough safety features to offer solid active and passive passenger safety.
Renault Duster vs Tata Curvv: Price comparison
| Renault Duster | Tata Curvv | |
| Base variants (Ex-Showroom) | TBA | Rs 9.66 – 11.10 lakh |
| Mid variants (Ex-Showroom) | TBA | Rs 10.91 – 14.48 lakh |
| Upper mid variants (Ex-Showroom) | TBA | Rs 12.07 – 16.48 lakh |
| Top variant | TBA | Rs 14.55 – 18.85 lakh |
While the Renault Duster’s prices have not been announced yet, it is expected to be priced at Rs. 10 – 20 lakh (ex-showroom). For these prices, the Duster will be a better value-for-money offering than the Curvv, even though the Curvv certainly justifies its price with its package.
Renault Duster vs Tata Curvv: Which one should you buy
Overall, the Renault Duster beats the Tata Curvv in most departments and is a far superior SUV. It offers more space, better practicality, and far superior performance compared to the Curvv. So, the Renault Duster should be one you buy if you are weighing it against the Tata Curvv. However, if you are a Tata fan or want a coupe SUV design to attract the onlookers, then the Curvv is your car.
Renault Duster vs Tata Curvv: FAQs
Which is larger, the Renault Duster or the Tata Curvv?
Renault Duster is 4,343 mm long, 1,813 mm wide, 1,659 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,657 mm. The Tata Curvv is 4,308 mm long, 1,810 mm wide, 1,630 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,560 mm. The Renault Duster is 35 mm longer, 3 mm wider, 29 mm taller, and has a 97 mm longer wheelbase compared to the Tata Curvv. Moreover, the Duster offers a larger 518-litre boot than the 500-litre boot of the Tata Curvv. As far as space is concerned, the Duster offers considerably more headroom and legroom to the rear seat passengers, while the limited legroom, headroom, and shoulder room in the rear seat are one of the key drawbacks of the Curvv.
Among the Renault Duster and Tata Curvv, which SUV is more powerful?
The Renault Duster has three engine offerings: a 1-litre turbo petrol engine, which produces 100 PS power, a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine, which produces 163 PS power, and a 1.8-litre strong hybrid unit, which produces 160 PS power. The Tata Curvv offers three engines: a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, which produces 120 PS power, a 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine, which produces 118 PS power, and a 1.2-litre TGDi engine, which produces 125 PS power. So, overall, the Renault Duster is more powerful than the Tata Curvv.
Between the Renault Duster and Tata Curvv, which one offers a better sound quality?
The Tata Curvv’s 9-speaker JBL sound system offers better sound quality than the 6-speaker Arkamys sound system of the Renault Duster.
What types of automatic transmission systems are available in the Renault Duster and the Tata Curvv?
The Tata Curvv offers a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed DCT automatic, while the Renault Duster offers a 6-speed DCT automatic and a DHT automatic (strong hybrid).
