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And now Tata has done it again by bringing back the Sierra. Only this time it is safer, looks more modern and includes more technology. It all comes at a starting price 11.49 lakh (ex-showroom), which, against the backdrop of its rivals, actually looks more attractive. But the Sierra promises much more than its rivals. More in terms of appearance, the Sierra also brings more space and history associated with the tag.

However, does the Sierra have enough power to live up to its claims? Does it have enough content to justify its price? To find out exactly this, we sat in the driver's seat of the SUV. And here's what we found out:

Designed by Martin Ulharich, the design of the SUV marks a significant step up from what Tata has traditionally produced for quite some time. Towards the front, the face gets a square shape. The corners have been rounded to give it a softer look. There is a certain freshness to connected LED DRLs as they do not have an end-to-end lightbar type design. The headlamps are also sleek, being only 17 millimeters thick. However, this does not affect the performance of the beam. In fact, it's one of the brightest LED projectors I've seen on any comparable SUV. Some may also notice a slight resemblance to the SUV's distant cousin, the Defender. Personally, I don't get it; However, I could immediately notice with Sierra that panel lag was addressed.

On the side profile of the Sierra. One thing that set the original Sierra apart from other SUVs of the time was the beautiful and huge quarter glass, which extended all the way to the roof. And to make the new SUV clearly 'Sierra', Tata decided to keep it there. Although the new one has no detailed quarter glass, it tries to resemble the original by adding a piano black finish just above the quarter glass. The 19-inch alloy wheels really add to its character, setting it apart from other SUVs that offer a maximum size of 18 inches. It is painted in Piano Black color around the wheel arches and the entire lower part of the car. This is an unconventional choice from Tata, as piano black tends to tarnish very easily.

Going behind the car, for reasons unknown, the SUV reminds me of Iron Man's mask. It gets a flat rear end with slim single-piece LED tail lamp, which gives a futuristic touch to this SUV. The clamshell-boot door opening is also unique, allowing easy access to the SUV's 622-litre boot. The boot door is electronically operated and has gesture control for convenience. There's a bit of boot loading that gets in the way of things, but it's not big enough to be a problem.

One of the most attractive elements of the Tata Sierra is its color palette. It is offered in six options, which include Andaman Adventure (Bright Yellow), Bengal Rouge (Bright Red), Coorg Clouds (Metallic Silver), Munnar Mist (Colour Changing Dark Green), Pristine White and Pure Grey. We traveled around the city in Andaman Adventure and Bengal Rouge shades, and the car attracted people like bees on blueberry cheesecake. The SUV was attracting attention partly because of its iconic nameplate, but the colors were also adding fuel to the fire.

Tata Sierra: Performance and driving dynamics

We tested the newly engineered 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine along with the existing 1.5 diesel powertrain in Tata's portfolio on this new SUV. Keeping the best in mind for last, let's start with the diesel.

The 1.5-litre Cryojet is a familiar powertrain brought over from the Curve. Tata hasn't made much changes here; The engine senses torque and pulls in a linear manner. There is a small amount of turbo lag at start, which is a characteristic of turbocharged vehicles. The refinement levels of this engine are also something one can write home about, as it doesn't feel like a diesel unless pushed very hard. This engine of Sierra can be paired with 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Now, the 6-speed automatic is a brand-new Japanese torque-converter transmission manufactured by Aisin. Now the transmission works well when driving comfortably around town. It shifts smoothly and downshifts quickly for overtakes. However, when you want it to be in manual mode, the transmission allows only superficial control. Once you step on the accelerator, it holds the gear until you reach redline and then upshifts for you, which is neither necessarily a good thing nor a bad thing. It also does not allow 'money-transfer'; The transmission keeps it safe even in manual mode.

Enough of that, now let's address the elephant in the room and talk about the 1.5-litre Hyperion engine. I'm also eager to tell you about it, because it's more fun to drive than a diesel. And that's very admirable, considering that diesel engines tend to push people into their seats once the turbos are spooled up. The new Hyperion brings a new life to the Tata Sierra with its spirited character. The Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) gives the SUV even better low-end pull than the diesel. The engine pulls and pulls some more, and doesn't stop pulling. If you're keen enough there's a subtle amount of turbo whirring that can be heard, making the drive all the more satisfying for an enthusiast. It accelerates from 0-100 kmph in just 10 seconds, and that's an impressive feat for an SUV that stands 1.7 meters tall and weighs close to 1.5 tonnes.

With a ground clearance of 205 mm, you feel confident in the SUV driving around large speed bumps and rough roads. Talking about rough patches, the suspension has been tuned on the soft side and it absorbs bumps even at high speeds of 60 kmph. Tata claims that they have integrated the technology and tuned the suspension in such a way that even if you are driving at highway speeds, the car will absorb unexpected and sudden shocks well. The slightly softer suspension imparts slight body roll to the animal; However, it is far from being unbearable. For an SUV of this size, it grips the tarmac very well and changing direction is not too difficult.

Tata Sierra: NVH levels and interior experience

Now inside, the cabin is a great place to stay; NVH is equipped with both engine options. Diesel noise is not going to bother the passengers. Road noise insulation also seems like a job well done. There are no rattles or rattles from inside either. The Sierra feels like a well-built and premium SUV here too.

Overall, the cabin looks and feels like a very premium space with a triple-tone interior combining black, off-white and beige colours. The expansive sunroof creates a very airy cabin feel and lets you enjoy the views above you more than ever.

The dashboard features the Sierra's 'piece de resistance', a triple-screen setup built like one big screen. This single unit consists of a passenger screen of 12.3 inches, an infotainment screen of the same size and a driver display of 10.25 inches with all the important information. They not only look good but also provide a lot of functionality inside the SUV.

The passenger screen lets kids play games through a controller connected via Bluetooth. One can connect a set of headphones and watch a movie on this screen. However, it won't be better than the Dolby Audio installed in the car, which delivers a very premium cinematic sound experience with the help of 12 speakers.

The car is also loaded with personalization features that allow the user to preset memory function seats, ambient lighting, AC temperature and even sunroof position. All you have to do is enter the car, touch the screen and load your profile, and the car will set everything up according to your chosen preferences.

The panel below the touchscreen houses a soundbar that shoots mid-range music frequencies for you. Just below this is the touch-operated dual-zone climate control panel. This panel also has touch buttons for fog lamps, hill descent control, parking lights, lock unlock and 360-degree camera functionality.

There are plenty of cubby holes all around the car to hold your bottles, cups and even a dedicated storage for your umbrella. One storage that could have been better designed is the cubby under the driver's armrest. It's a deep but narrow space, good for holding bottles but not accessible enough for other things like mints, keys, and other accessories.

Tata Sierra: Verdict

The Sierra is a big, bold, and future-proof SUV, at least for a few years. It offers great engine options which are powerful. The new automatic transmission balances affordability and maintenance costs with everyday usability and performance. The entertainment suite and air cabin are good enough to keep the family happy. It is a great all-rounder package for a family man who still wishes to stand out.

First publication date: 12 Dec 2025, 12:55 PM IST