Tata Sierra Review: Iconic Past, Ambitious Future

Tata Sierra enabled a generation to feel the wind in the hair, break the mundane and explore the country unhindered. Diesel engine, ladder-frame chassis, do-it-all capabilities, high seating and an iconic design, Sierra of the past laid the foundation for a category of cars, termed as SUVs. It was a trailblazer with cult status in India's automotive spectrum. Come 2025, the Sierra is reborn. The definition of SUV may have been diluted. The market has evolved and expanded. Sierra is no longer a pioneer. The market has a dozen rivals. It faces an uphill task. Read our initial impressions about the new Sierra. 

Tata Sierra Design:

A clean slate, the Sierra bears no resemblance to any Tata SUV on sale. It's tall and boxy. The contrast black roof and window panels extend from the B-pillar. The flat tail gate tries to mimic the old Sierra as well. Interestingly, the wheelbase is stretched to a segment-leading 2,730 mm, leaving no overhangs. Unlike the old Sierra, there is no tail-mounted spare wheel. 

The SUV stands tall and looks massive. Dimensionally (4340 mm x 1841 mm x 1715 mm), it is the tallest and widest car in its class. Sierra rides on wheels, ranging between 17 and 19 inches. The latter, with the top-end variants, appear out of proportion. 

The LED head and tail lights, which come as standard, are extremely sleek. Coupled with sequential turn indicators in the top variants, the Sierra definitely has one of the best illumination - both the form and function. 

Tata Sierra Interior and Features:

The dashboard layout is new. Soft-touch material in ivory tone runs across the dash. The centre of the dash has a bulge, knocking the knees of the driver and co-driver, which seems an anomaly in design. Tata Motors has gone all-out with features. The panoramic sunroof is the largest in the segment, offering an immersive view of the sky.

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The chunky B-pillar, aimed at replicating the old-Sierra effect, minimises the second-row window area. Fully-loaded Sierra comes with features like an air purifier, 360-degree camera, 13-speaker JBL stereo with Dolby Atmos, second row window curtains, wireless charging, ambient lighting, triple screen layout, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The list is long and exhaustive. Features like electronic parking brake, rear window shades, rear AC vents, all-disc brakes, flush door handles and electrically-adjustable ORVMs are standard.

The second row seats offer a good sense of comfort. Decent headroom and kneeroom for adults. Intelligent work with the front row seats. The extendable squab extends out to increase the thigh support. The boot space to the top of the roof is 622 litres, which is in par with the rivals. 

Tata Sierra Powertrain Options:

Years of R&D, and Tata Motors has introduced new engine choices with the Sierra. A 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine makes 106 hp and 145 Nm of peak torque. The gearbox choices are 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine also debuted, which generated 160 hp and 255 Nm. The only transmission option is a 6-speed torque converter. There is diesel as well. The 1.5-litre oil burner is reworked and the torque output has jumped up (compared to the Nexon). The power output is 118 hp. Torque output with the 6-speed manual is 260 Nm. The 6-speed torque converter generates 280 Nm.

Tata Sierra 1.5-Litre Hyperion Turbo-Petrol Engine Drive:

Surprisingly smooth and punchy! The new 4-cylinder Hyperion turbo-petrol engine is calm at idling. Once you rev past 2,000 rpm, the power delivery is linear. The engine has a strong mid-range torque and can comfortably maintain triple-digit speeds on the highways with a full house. No manual transmission or a dual-clutch transmission appears to be a missed opportunity. The torque converter is a smooth operator. The upshifts are smoother than the downshifts. The NVH level in the cabin is well contained.

Tata Sierra 1.5-Litre KryoJet Diesel Engine Drive:

This engine is an old workhorse, but Tata Motors has significantly worked on the engine. Piston rings, cylinder heads and other internals are reworked with low-friction materials. In simpler terms, the engine feels less coarse than before. The vibrations have reduced. The NVH levels are better controlled. A cold start, there is diesel clatter at idling speeds but it soon disappears while cruising. The mid-range is strong and fruitful, and the engine should return decent mileage on the highways.

Tata Sierra Driving Dynamics:

Sierra is built on the new ARGOS platform, which by the look of it feels quite robust. The ride quality is slightly firm on the 19-inch wheels. Rough edges on the road can be felt with a thud inside the cabin. The ride will definitely be a lot better with the 17-/18-inch wheels. Similar is the story with the handling. The bigger wheels with relatively lesser profile tyres do reduce the agility at crawling speeds. On the open straights and free-flowing curves, the Sierra does hold its shape nicely. 

Tata Sierra Price and Verdict:

Sierra is launched and the prices range between Rs 11.49 lakh and Rs 18.49 lakh (ex-showroom). The prices for range-topping Accomplished and Accomplished Plus variants are yet to be disclosed, which may well breach the Rs 20 lakh mark. 

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The Sierra badge attracts undivided attention, and social media is taken by storm. As a product, Sierra brings freshness in the segment, trying to blend features, spaces and powertrain variety. If the quality-related aspects don't creep in, Tata Motors has a champion in hand.