Tata Sierra review, first drive – what’s behind the hype?

Few vehicles appear to have captured people’s attention as much as the new Tata Sierra in the years I have been doing this. You know most of the details by now, but eventually over time, how the Sierra feels on the road is what will guarantee its continued success. To learn more, we spent some time with the turbocharged gasoline and diesel models.

2025 Tata Sierra dimenions. boot space, styling

The Sierra’s distinctive appearance sets it apart from other C category SUVs. The Sierra measures 1,841 mm in width, 1,715 mm in height, and 4,340 mm in length. This places it squarely in the C category, yet delving deeply into its history, the Sierra has a compelling narrative that manifests itself on the road. The horizontal lines, flat surfaces, and lofty, broad stance all attract a lot of attention.

The intricate details also contribute a significant amount of sophistication to complete this presence. The black fascia mimics the older Sierra’s face where the company has gone to lengths to develop a 17mm tall headlamp to create this look. Additionally, the front and rear LED light bar is the widest single piece made in India, making it stand out from the competition. Even the bonnet has a complex hinge to keep the clamshell look and the flat rear tailgate has auxiliary lights added on the inside to keep that look.

The iconic Sierra side glass has been cleverly updated for the modern era. The massive B pillar is also cleverly integrated, and the gloss black and flush window sills create a clean look. The flush door knobs are identical to those on the Curvv, and we wish they were quicker to use. Nevertheless, the Sierra’s size is increased by its large 19-inch wheels and glossy black cladding in the lower part.

The Sierra’s boxy design makes it quite useful. The boot opening could have benefited from a level ledge and is not the widest. However, the square floor allows you to load a lot into the 622-liter capacity, and the wheel wells don’t interfere. Another nice feature is the package tray’s tidy holder. For a substantial 1,257 liters, you can also fold down the second row. Although a powered tailgate is helpful, there is an inherent safety delay that can occasionally irritate you.

2025 Tata Sierra interiors, features, space, practicality

Compared to earlier Tata products, the Sierra feels better and is assembled more reliably thanks to improved tolerances imposed on the assembly line at the new Sanand facility that Tata Motors purchased from Ford. Both the exterior close lines and the interior feel well-constructed and uniform. The floating extensions for the interior door knobs were the only thing that seemed fragile.

The interior of the Sierra is a light-filled, contemporary area that feels completely on style, even if it draws cues from the past. The large three-screen arrangement takes center stage, but it is surrounded by a simple, minimalist design that creates a light-filled space. This sensation is aided by the broad windscreen, low sills, and huge panoramic sunroof.

The Sierra uses a variety of materials and finishes to create an uplifting experience, although the Germans and Koreans still have the advantage in this category when it comes to the sheer firmness and feel of plastics. Touching the plush, cushioned surfaces of the door trim, armrests, and mid pad is reassuring. There are more soft-textured plastics strewn around the vehicle, including the ones on top. This area is somewhat brightened by the topographical Easter eggs and the faint gloss black brushes on the doors and central console. Lastly, the room has been improved by the careful use of ambient lighting.

Although the Sierra’s interface is identical to those of other Tata models, Tata claims that its new electronic architecture would lessen problems. Although we still wish the fonts were larger, the instrumentation is now lot closer to you and easy to read. It’s also a bit of a miss since the upper model does not have the HUD.

The main touchscreen is clear, snappy, and simple to use. Wireless phone pairing is quick, and the menus are similar to those on smartphones. You can now play media from two distinct sources on the passenger screen. Thus, the passenger can use headphones and the driver can listen on the JBL system. If not, you can use the third screen to access a number of streaming and music providers.

The Sierra places a great emphasis on usefulness. You can store tiny items in the negative spaces on the doors and central tunnel. The door cards and glove box are sizable and practical. In addition to practical compartments and cup holders, the center console features a convenient wireless charger. Large footwells and a spacious cabin are features of the Argos architecture that further enhance the feeling of space.

If you take the rear seat more often, there’s good news. Compared to competitors, the 2,730mm wheelbase offers superior knee and leg room. You can stretch out nicely thanks to the seat’s mild recline feature and the boss function, which helps free up a lot more space. Even if you are almost six feet tall, headroom should be adequate despite the wide sunroof.

The distinctive Sierra B pillar’s blind spot effect is somewhat mitigated by the big sunroof and low sills. Nevertheless, the form limits the sunshades’ effectiveness. At the back, the excellent attention to practicality is repeated. Large doors and their negative spaces allow you to store a lot of items. Other helpful features include the type C chargers and the door pocket compartments. However, we wish there were ventilated back seats.

2025 Tata Sierra driving impressions – turbo petrol

Despite being a big vehicle for its class, the Sierra is simple to maneuver through traffic. Even when the seat is at its lowest position, you are seated high and enjoy excellent frontal visibility. The massive mirrors and large A pillar still provide large blind spots, but the low sills and large glass area somewhat lessen the effect.

 

We experimented with the new 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline, which produces 160 horsepower and 255 Nm, and the new 1.5-liter diesel, which produces 118 horsepower and 260 Nm. The automated six-speed Aisin torque converter is linked with both.

This motor, like the majority of Tata engines, appears to be more concerned with practicality than pure thrill. As a result, the torque flows through the car’s rpm band in a flat, clean sweep. You can get off the line quickly and have enough speed for a variety of scenarios, such as highway cruising, overtakes, and keeping up with traffic.

You may anticipate a 0 to 100 kmph time of less than 10 seconds with this fast turbo Sierra. This puts it in direct competition with its primary rivals. However, the engine lacks the high-end push and passionate rev of a Skoda VW turbo.

Nevertheless, the engine and the six-speed torque converter work nicely together. In slow-speed scenarios, the shifts are not as noticeable. A delay can only be caused by strong throttle inputs, but not to the same degree as in some other vehicles with this gearbox. The engine’s calmer temperament complements the gentle rolling torque converter transitions.

Its NVH is adequate at low speeds, but during a cruise, a drone can become visible when it reaches about 2,000 rpm. It also exhibits some roughness at higher rpm. The relatively loud wind and tire noise you hear from the Sierra at highway speeds exacerbates this effect.

2025 Tata Sierra driving impressions – turbo diesel

We also spent time with the upgraded 1.5-liter turbo diesel, which now produces 280 Nm and 118 PS when combined with the automatic. Even if it doesn’t have the same power as gasoline right out of the box, this diesel soon seems like a sensible choice for the Sierra. This is an excellent all-arounder since the torque is easily accessible at low speeds and the engine typically stays in the powerband during most driving conditions. It feels linear and natural to overtake, catch up with, or thread through traffic.

Additionally, many contemporary diesel engines in this class have dialled out a good jump up in torque at slightly over 3,000 rpm, so if you still want that feeling from a diesel engine, that is also available.

The gearbox performs better as a result of the high torque output. Similar to gasoline, it is not obtrusive, and the diesel Sierra runs smoothly even with larger inputs. The diesel seems lively and manageable because of this and the nature of the engine. Additionally, a triple-digit cruise puts less strain on it, so if you plan to go a lot of miles, the diesel might be a simpler option than you might think.

Once more, NVH levels could be higher, but they are still better than what we have previously observed in the Nexon and Curvv. On a cruise, it’s acceptable, but when you turn up the engine, it may get noisy.

2025 Tata Sierra ride and handling

Tata Motors has done a fantastic job with the ride, even if the top-spec vehicles pictured here have 19-inch wheels. We traveled the Sierra on some somewhat uneven village roads, which some may even refer to as easy off-road trails. The Sierra’s frequency-dependent dampers were impressive in how they would smooth off the stones and ditches we passed, although the big wheels and relatively thick sidewall also helped.Indeed, there is a hard sense at these low speeds, but we were able to maintain reasonable speeds in these areas with a FWD car because of that tough, confident feeling. The Sierra didn’t seem out of place. Additionally, there was no problem with ground clearance. This is encouraging for the next AWD Sierra.

The Sierra’s assured, steady roadholding at higher highway speeds adds a sense of control and safety. Here, several of the hard noises and thuds were not audible. Additionally, the minor stiffness mostly disappears.

Although we didn’t go corner carving, the Sierra is dependable and comfortable on single-lane and curvy roadways. Faster bends don’t cause it to lean sharply or feel uneasy. Nevertheless, it lacks the crisp, nimble feel of certain other SUVs of a comparable size. Diesel and gasoline travel pretty much the same way, albeit there is a little bit more bounce over speed bumps and other obstacles. Bends also make the nose feel a little heavier, but this is a little difference that you would not notice on your own.

The steering strikes the ideal mix of weight and convenience for the majority of users. In the city, it doesn’t require much weight, but you do want greater directness. The driving experience would become more thrilling as a result. Additionally, the braking performance is predictable and linear. Thus, the Sierra always feels calm. For enthusiasts, it might not have the strongest connection around corners, but for the majority of regular users, it feels capable.

2025 Tata Sierra price, verdict

Although the Tata Sierra’s exact pricing is yet unknown, it appears to be reasonably priced, with a high price of Rs 18.99 lakh for the model below the ones seen above. Although it could use a little more sophistication and a little more ferocity from the turbocharged gasoline, it should be a formidable competitor in the market. It stands out due to its road presence, excellent cabin room and functionality, extensive feature list, and comfortable ride.