The original Tata Sierra was a ute-based SUV that prioritized ruggedness over design, but the second-generation model completely flips the script.
The original Sierra was manufactured between 1991 and 2003 and was based on the Telcoline ute. Although the Telcoline was sold in small numbers down under in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Sierra never made it to our shores.
The reborn Sierra adopts some styling cues from the original three-door-only SUV, particularly the rear glasshouse, which mimics a shape integrated into the roof and is visually separated from the front windows and windshield.
With a clamshell hood and tailgate, flush pop-out door handles, thin LED lighting strips, split headlights and tons of gloss black trim and highlights, the exterior is distinctive and on-trend.
With a length of 4340 mm, a width of 1841 mm, a height of 1715 mm and a wheelbase of 2730 mm, the Safari offers space for five people. The boot holds 622 liters with the rear seats in use and 1,257 liters with them folded down.
Inside, a large rectangular panel with three screens dominates the dashboard. Not only does it support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it also has 28 built-in apps, including a number of games.
Available features include an umbrella holder in the doors, a 12-speaker JBL sound system, a 360-degree camera system, leatherette upholstery, sunshades for rear passengers, illuminated steering wheel logo and ventilated seats.
On the safety front, there are six airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive steering and traffic sign recognition.
While the original Sierra was offered with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, the second generation is based on a new front-wheel drive architecture and four-wheel drive is suspiciously not mentioned at all, although there is an off-road mode selector.
The new Sierra is available with a choice of two petrol and one diesel engines. The base petrol engine is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 78kW and 145Nm, mated to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Above: Original Tata Sierra from MikeSense80 on Flickr
For the top models there is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged and direct injection petrol engine that produces 118 kW and 255 Nm and is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The only oil-burning option is a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel producing 87kW and 255Nm, mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.
Despite owning Jaguar Land Rover since 2008, Tata Motors has failed to penetrate developed markets. Tata’s last attempt at the Australian market saw the company sell the Xenon Ute here until 2019.
Production of the new Sierra will begin soon and prices in India start at around A$19,900. There is no word yet on Tata’s export plans for the Sierra, if any.
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