By Akbar Merchant
Tata Motors has relaunched the popular Sierra nameplate after more than two decades, with prices starting at Rs 11.49 lakh (ex-showroom, introductory). Bookings open on December 15 and customer deliveries begin January 15. Rather than attempting a retro recreation of the 1991 original, the Sierra returns as a modern mid-size SUV. The full variant-wise pricing of the Sierra will be announced in the coming days, according to Tata Motors.
The new Sierra debuts two brand-new petrol engines for Tata Motors. The entry powertrain is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit developing 106hp, paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Above it sits a more powerful 1.5-litre turbo-petrol making 160hp and offered exclusively with a six-speed torque-converter automatic, putting it directly up against the turbo-petrol rivals such as the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.
Alternate fuel options
A 1.5-litre turbo-diesel option is also available, producing 118hp and paired with both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearboxes. Tata Motors’ expects 35 to 40 percent of Sierra buyers to opt for diesel, highlighting that most competitors now focus on petrol or petrol-hybrid powertrains, leaving the diesel Sierra with relatively fewer direct rivals like the Creta and the Seltos. The Sierra EV is also in the pipeline and is scheduled to go on sale in the next financial year, Financial Expess can confirm.
Tata’s SUV portfolio
In Tata’s SUV portfolio, the Sierra sits above the Curvv and below the Harrier. It enters the heart of the mid-size SUV segment, competing with the Creta, Seltos, Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Taigun and others. Tata is relying on the Sierra’s distinctive styling and cabin experience to help it stand out in what is currently the most competitive passenger-vehicle category in India.
Safety equipment on the Sierra includes six airbags, ISOFIX child-seat anchors, all-wheel disc brakes, ABS with EBD, hill-hold assist and an electronic parking brake as standard. Higher variants add a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors and a Level 2+ ADAS pack with 22 driver-assistance features.
The exterior styling incorporates visual cues from the original SUV, such as the upright stance, long window line and distinctive wrap-around rear glass effect, but the surfacing and detailing are entirely modern. The cabin also has a standalone design, with very little parts-sharing from other Tata models.
The headline feature is the segment-first triple-screen setup, consisting of a digital driver display, a central infotainment screen and a dedicated passenger display integrated into a single horizontal unit. Tata says the infotainment and passenger screens can even sync to display shared visual content. The interior follows a dual-tone black-and-beige theme with satin metal inserts, piano-black highlights, soft-touch materials and layered textures throughout. Equipment includes powered and cooled front seats, rear sunshades, a premium audio system with subwoofer on higher variants, a powered tailgate, an advanced heads-up display with navigation and building overlays, over-the-air software updates and 5G connectivity, seen for the first time an internal-combustion powered Tata vehicle.
Customer deliveries of the new Sierra will begin on January 15. Tata Motors is also preparing to export the model, with South Africa expected to be one of the first overseas markets next financial year once production volume and dealer expansion stabilize.
