Tata Sierra Review: The Legend Reborn (2025)

The return of the Tata Sierra is one of the most exciting events in the Indian automotive space, blending raw nostalgia with modern tech.

As an enthusiast, here is my detailed review of the new Tata Sierra (ICE - Internal Combustion Engine) model, focusing on the character and engineering.

🏔️ Tata Sierra Review: The Legend Reborn (2025)

The new Sierra is a revolution, not just an evolution. It retains the rugged, commanding road presence of the original while pushing the boundaries of technology and premium feel for its segment.

1. Design & Presence: Nostalgia Meets Future

  • The Iconic Silhouette: Tata has brilliantly retained the classic, upright, and boxy silhouette of the original. The key homage is the modern interpretation of the Alpine glasshouse (the large rear window), which is now integrated beautifully with the blacked-out roof and C-pillar, giving the cabin a bright, airy feel.
  • Muscular Stance: The car looks wide and incredibly dominant on the road, with a solid, planted stance. Features like the flush door handles, the slim, end-to-end LED “Light Saber” DRLs and taillamps, and the huge, panoramic sunroof add a futuristic, premium touch.
  • The Enthusiast’s Take: This car has road presence in spades. It doesn’t look like any other mid-sized SUV; it genuinely looks like a vehicle from a segment above. It’s an instant head-turner.

2. Interiors: A “Living Room on Wheels”

Tata’s goal was a “Life Space” concept, and they’ve largely achieved it.

  • Premium Feel: The cabin uses softer touch materials and a high-quality dual-tone finish. The focus is on a spacious, uncluttered, and luxurious feel.
  • Technology Overload (In a good way):
    • Triple-Screen Setup: The top variants feature a stunning triple-screen layout: a digital driver’s display, a large central infotainment screen (12.3-inch), and an exclusive 12.3-inch passenger display—a massive differentiator.
    • Audio Excellence: The 12-speaker JBL system with a dashboard-integrated Soundbar and Dolby Atmos is a huge highlight, promising one of the best acoustic experiences in the segment.
  • Comfort: Features like ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, and dual-zone climate control put it squarely against premium rivals. Crucially, the 622-litre boot space is enormous for this class.

3. Engine & Performance (The Drive)

The Sierra comes with a choice of three excellent 1.5-litre engines. We drove the 1.5L TGDi Turbo-Petrol extensively.

Engine Type Power Torque Transmission Options Enthusiast Note
1.5L TGDi Turbo-Petrol 160 PS 255 Nm 6-speed AT The Performer. This is the pick for driving fun. Strong, linear power delivery.
1.5L NA Petrol 106 PS 145 Nm 6-speed MT / 7-speed DCA The City Commuter. Tuned for everyday efficiency and lower running costs.
1.5L Turbo-Diesel 118 PS 280 Nm 6-speed MT / 6-speed AT The Highway Cruiser. Excellent torque for effortless long-distance driving.
  • Driving Impressions:
    • Suspension: Tata has nailed the “Magic Carpet” ride. The Sierra glides over potholes. The frequency-dependent dampers stiffen up on highways, removing the floatiness found in the old Safari.
    • Handling: It’s a tall SUV, so there is body roll, but it’s well-controlled. The steering weighs up nicely in Sport mode. It feels confident, not sporty.
    • Refinement: The NVH levels are excellent. At 100 kmph, the cabin is whisper-quiet, better than the Scorpio-N.

4. Safety & Technology

Tata is setting a new benchmark here.

  • Safety: While awaiting a Bharat NCAP score, the Sierra is built on a strong platform, comes with 6 airbags as standard, and is equipped with Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) on top trims, offering features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Emergency Braking.
  • Off-Road Credentials: With 205 mm of ground clearance, good approach/departure angles, and promised AWD (All-Wheel Drive) coming later, the Sierra retains a serious commitment to its SUV roots.

5. Pricing & Value Verdict

Tata has launched the Sierra at an aggressive introductory price:

  • Range: ₹11.99 Lakh - ₹19.99 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)
  • Key Variants:
    • Smart (Base) @ ₹11.99L: Good entry point, but lacks key tech.
    • Pure (Mid) @ ₹14.50L: The value pick. Gets the touchscreen and basics.
    • Creative (High) @ ₹16.80L: Adds the flashy features like 360-cam.
    • Fearless (Top) @ ₹19.99L: The fully loaded tech-fest with ADAS and Luxury Pack.

Price-to-Value Analysis: Compared to the Hyundai Creta and Mahindra Scorpio-N, the Sierra offers a unique middle ground. It has the spaciousness and road presence closer to the Scorpio-N but with the feature richness and urban comfort of the Creta.

  • Is it worth it? Absolutely. The mid-spec Pure/Creative variants offer incredible value for money given the space and road presence. You are essentially getting a car that looks ₹30 Lakhs for under ₹20 Lakhs.

6. Future-Proofing: The EV Factor

The Sierra is built on Tata’s Gen 2 acti.ev platform, meaning a fully electric version is also coming soon (expected early 2026). This confirms the platform’s modern architecture and ability to support multiple powertrain options.

✅ Final Verdict for the Enthusiast

The Tata Sierra is not just a car; it’s a statement.

  • Pros: Unmatched road presence, phenomenal feature list (triple screen, JBL soundbar), a wide variety of potent engine/transmission options, and an expected class-leading safety rating. The boot space is excellent.
  • Cons: The base NA petrol may feel underpowered for the size, and the sheer volume of new-to-Tata technology (like the triple screens and ADAS) will need to be tested for long-term reliability and software refinement.

If you are looking for a mid-size SUV that stands out from the Creta/Seltos crowd, offers a truly premium, tech-forward cabin, and delivers on the promise of rugged Indian engineering, the new Tata Sierra is a compelling and exciting choice.