With Tata launching its Curvv and Citroen its Basalt Coupe SUVs, a sudden wave hit the Indian automotive market in 2024. Naturally, both went on to offer those stylish blacked-out versions known as Dark Editions.
For all similarities in nomenclature, the very features that offer them contrast one from another in price and valiance.
Price Comparison: Citroen Takes the Lead but at a Price
Among all civilians, the Citroen Basalt Dark Edition is the cheapest and easiest available coupe-style SUV with a blackened-out feel, priced from just ₹12.8 lakh (ex-showroom).
On the other hand, the Tata Curvv Dark Edition is set at a steep ₹16.49 lakh. Barely do we justify that price gap as equipment and technology begin to give the Curvv real value.
Feature Showdown: Tata Curvv Is King
When it comes to features, the Tata Curvv takes the big lead. The Curvv comes with flush door handles, LED lights, an electrically operated tailgate, ventilated seats, JBL audio, dual-zone climate control and ambient lighting.
On the other hand, Citroen Basalt Dark Edition does away with such luxuries. The Tata also offers a far more elevated experience with its 12.3-inch infotainment system featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, and a powered driver seat than Citroen does.
Safety and Performance: Curvv Pulls Ahead—Literally
Another area in which Tata assumes a confident lead is safety. Curvv Dark is equipped with a 5-star crash-rated structure, Level-2 ADAS, 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, and electronic parking brake—all of which Citroen's unworthy have done without.
Curvv takes the cake over and above in that respect because it has a petrol and diesel engine, manual and dual-clutch automatic transmission, and even an EV version included in the Dark Edition.
The Curvv petrol engine is even seen pulling an astonishing 48-tonne Boeing 737!
A Glimpse of Finesse: Red Touches
To counter, the Citroen Basalt Dark Edition boasts a great execution of the Coupe SUV design and a shorter 2,651mm long wheelbase. The interior red contrast stitching is also a classy touch, breaking the monotony of an all-black theme.
Verdict: Curvv Dark Is the Better Deal
Though the cheaper Basalt Dark Edition fails in delivering everything a buyer expects from the carcass in this hyper-competitive segment, it comes with high-tech features, much better performance, and vastly superlative safety credentials. That makes Tata Curvv Dark Edition make the grade as the complete offering among buyers in search of style without compromising on substance.
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