I am interested in the new Tata Sierra. However, I became hesitant after seeing the tyre specifications. The new Tata Sierra offers three tyre sizes: 215/65 R17, 225/60 R18 and 225/55 R19. If forced to choose, I prefer comfort and safety over driving experience and aesthetics. I like the top variants, but they come with R19 tyres that have a sidewall of around 124mm, whereas the base variants have a sidewall height of around 150mm, which is a significant difference. I want comfort, but I also prefer the top variant. What should I do?

Autocar India

•15w

It’s true that tyre sidewall height plays a role in cushioning passengers from bumps and protecting the wheel from pothole impacts. A taller sidewall flexes more, which naturally gives a softer low-speed ride and better absorption of sharp edges. So your concern is understandable.

However, after driving the Tata Sierra extensively on the 19-inch wheels, we can safely say that the lower-profile tyres aren’t likely to be an issue on our roads. Yes, the low-speed or “secondary” ride is a touch firmer compared to the smaller wheel options, but it’s never uncomfortable. Only very sharp edges and sudden potholes make their presence felt, and even then, the suspension does a good job of rounding them off.

Crucially, overall comfort and stability remain very good, and the difference is not large enough to justify skipping the top variant, especially if that’s the one you truly prefer. In real-world use, you won’t feel like you’ve made a big compromise by choosing the R19 setup.

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Pramod Kumar

•1w

Toyota HyCross GX(O) vs Maruti Victoris ZXi(O) strong hybrid vs Tata Sierra Accomplished Plus turbo petrol. Which is best for long-term usage under ₹30 lakh?

Autocar India

•2h

For long-term usage, the Toyota Innova HyCross GX (O) and the Maruti Victoris ZXi (O) strong hybrid are safer bets than the Tata Sierra Accomplished+ Turbo Petrol. Both come with a solid reputation for reliability and strong after-sales support, which is what really matters over 8-10 years of ownership.Between the Toyota HyCross and the Victoris, the HyCross is the more comfortable and practical choice. Its very spacious cabin, better third-row usability and comfortable ride make it a nicer long-distance family car. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is simple and proven, and its relaxed highway manners are a big plus if you do a lot of intercity trips.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid scores on efficiency and smoothness thanks to its hybrid powertrain, which is especially nice in traffic and helps keep running costs low. However, the boot is smaller, and the cabin is the least spacious of the three, so it’s not as versatile for full-family use. If you mainly drive yourself with only occasional passengers, the Victoris, which is also the most compact and city-friendly of the lot, is the easiest to live with in daily urban driving.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Sierra

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Atiqueul Islam

•5d

I have read the recent comments about the Duster on your website, and I am impressed by the overall rating of the Duster. I am planning to purchase the 1L turbo manual version of Duster and seeking advice on the power delivery and torque. Is it sufficient for city drives and, very occasionally, driving on highways?

Autocar India

•2d

For your requirement, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol Renault Duster should be adequate for your usage, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Although we haven’t driven this engine in the Duster yet, we have experienced it in cars like the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. In those cars, the engine feels peppy and responsive, especially in city conditions.Now, the Duster is a larger and heavier car, so performance will take a slight hit compared to those smaller SUVs. However, for city driving, it should feel more than sufficient, and thanks to the turbo, it will still offer good low-end torque, making it easy to drive in traffic. On the highway, it should be able to keep up with fast-moving traffic comfortably, and overtaking should not feel stressful.That said, we strongly recommend that you test drive the 1.0-litre version before deciding. Since it is a 3-cylinder engine, you may notice some vibration at idle and hard acceleration, something we have experienced in the Kiger and Magnite.If your priority is smoothness and refinement, you can also consider options like the Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos, which offer more refined petrol engines. However, in terms of outright punch and torque feel, the turbo Duster will still feel stronger.

Ramnath

I am confused about whether to buy the Thar Roxx or the Tata Sierra. Right now, I have an Ertiga diesel VDI Smart from 2019 and a Venue diesel from 2021. By selling both, I am looking to buy one SUV, or should I wait?

Autocar India

•2d

While both cars are very attractive in their own right, they are for very different reasons. The Mahindra Thar Roxx is a tough, ladder-frame SUV with strong engines and exceptional off-road ability. It has great road presence and is well-equipped, too. However, all this comes with many compromises for everyday use, such as an unsettled ride, poor fuel economy and a high step-up for entry and exit to the vehicle.Overall, we would recommend the Tata Sierra instead. While it has its own share of flaws, such as some electronic gaffes and ergonomic issues, it is a much friendlier car to drive and live with. It's more comfortable, refined, efficient, manoeuvrable and spacious, and its interior feels more modern too.

Tata Sierra

Mahindra Thar Roxx

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