Tata Sierra Turbo Petrol Automatic Review: Worth the Hype?

Since its launch, the Tata Sierra has been a viral subject with fans posting nostalgic “OG” Sierra memories from childhood and even calling it the 'Defender' of the common man. It checks important boxes, such as futuristic design, dominating road presence and class-leading features. However, the initial hype was so loud that real-world factors such as usability and performance may have been easily overlooked. We test the Sierra Accomplished+ variant, with the turbo-petrol and the 6-speed automatic gearbox and here's how the new SUV fares in real-world scenarios, not just in a brochure or a viral reel video.

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The Sierra has size and road presence in its favour, despite having identical proportions to its rivals. It is an upright SUV that gets generous ground clearance of 205 mm. The shape is almost architectural, with bold creases and sharp cuts defining a boxy silhouette. The tall bonnet line and shoulder line make it appear more imposing than its rivals, and the 19-inch alloy wheels fill the squared-off wheel arches well. This also adds to its purposeful stance, and the SUV looks prepared for action even at a standstill. Sadly, there is no all-wheel drive in the ICE Sierra, which looks like it is built to go off-road. Meanwhile, the new Sierra EV does get all-wheel drive.

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The 2,730mm wheelbase suggests ample cabin space and makes it look longer than rivals. The piano-black body cladding looks sleek, but also makes it prone to scratches over time. The monolithic rear design is surely polarising. I like it due to its minimalist aesthetic, which feels really futuristic to see in real life. Overall, the Sierra is undoubtedly the winner in its segment for sheer road presence.

The same minimalist aesthetic is seen on the inside of the Sierra as well. The panoramic triple-screen setup is undoubtedly the centre of attention. The driver information screen also doubles up as a navigation screen, which was very useful. All screens have crisp graphics and the touchscreen infotainment system has a great touch response, almost like a smartphone. The entertainment screen for the front passenger works equally well but doesn't get a privacy film, which could be distracting for the driver.

The ivory-white soft-touch panels, leatherette seat upholstery and armrest give it a modern appeal. It would also require regular upkeep, as dirt marks appear on these surfaces. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable and also has a memory function with 3 settings. Both front seats are ventilated, making them useful on hot days.

The second row's biggest highlight is the 1,415mm of shoulder room, because it makes the Sierra comfortable for three adults at a time. It has been a drawback in most of the popular mid-sized segment, and the Sierra solves that problem well. The rear-left passenger also gets access to a mechanical 'Boss Mode' function. It allows the front passenger seat to be shifted forward in an instant, at the turn of a handle. The mechanical system is easily accessible by the rear passenger.

The chunky B-pillar is a design quirk that filters into the cabin and gives the second-row window a distinctive appearance. The panoramic sunroof ties up the ambience nicely and adds to the roomy feeling.

If I were to pick favourites, I would say the 12-speaker JBL Black audio system lived up to the mark during my daily commutes. It also has a Dolby Atmos sound signature for a more immersive movie-watching experience for the passengers, if they wish to do so.

The 1.5-litre Hyperion is a turbocharged petrol GDi engine that produces an impressive output figure of 160 PS and 255 Nm torque. Interestingly, the top-of-the-line turbo petrol engine is offered with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic (6 AT), instead of a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT). This difference is important to note because rivals favour the DCT automatic approach in their top-end trims. On the other hand, torque converter automatics like our test unit are known to be more reliable in the long run.

Most importantly, the gear shifts in the 6-speed AT gearbox were so well masked in terms of smoothness that it almost felt like a DCT at work. However, in terms of the speed of the shifts, it wasn’t anywhere close to how a DCT would perform, even when taking manual control through the paddle shifters. And yes, the drivetrain had typical turbocharged characteristics like coming alive only past 1,500 rpm.

If you feather the accelerator like you would in most daily driving scenarios, you get adequate response from the drivetrain. If you want to go faster, it drops a gear and starts to catch speed rather quickly, but driving enthusiasts may want more in terms of the response time. Also, the engine gets vocal after 3,000 rpm. Overall, when driven with a light foot, I was able to get the Sierra to meet most requirements on the road.

The suspension tune is an important highlight of the Sierra driving experience. It feels plush and is tuned for comfort. Whether you are on a bad road or happen to drop a tyre into an unexpected pothole while driving at highway speeds, the suspension setup constantly feels like a cushion, protecting you from being unsettled. While it may not be to the taste of driving enthusiasts, it will surely score marks from the majority of Indian families.

Overall, if you graduate from a hatchback, sedan, or a compact SUV to the Sierra, then you will find yourself making road trip plans more frequently than before. The 622-litre boot space (when measured to the top) is a good bonus to have in that case as well.

For Rs 20.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Tata Sierra Accomplished+ Petrol Automatic variant offers performance and a feature list that is at par with its rivals in the same price range. Its differentiators are its road presence, a roomy cabin, flashy gadgets, and a rugged ride quality.

If you are looking for a family car that does it all without looking generic, then the Tata Motors Sierra will certainly appeal to you and is definitely worth considering.