2025 Tata Sierra vs old Sierra: How it has evolved

Tata Motors has finally resurrected the much-awaited Sierra, a nameplate it discontinued in 2003. The new Sierra is the carmaker’s second attempt at the midsize SUV segment after the Curvv, and arguably, it’s more competent to take on the segment leader, the Hyundai Creta.

Besides bringing back an iconic nameplate, the 2025 Tata Sierra draws design inspiration from the original SUV, which was introduced in 1991. Let’s take a close look at how the current Sierra’s design has been influenced by the original while thoroughly incorporating contemporary bits inside and out, and how their powertrain options compare.

Tata Sierra design: New vs old

The most distinguishing feature of the original Sierra was its curved-over rear windows. While it’s not possible to replicate that design detail due to modern safety requirements, Tata has imitated that detail by painting the area over the rear window and quarter glass in a contrasting black finish, which creates a similar visual effect.

The squarish wheel arches and the high-set bonnet are also nods to the original design. The rectangular motif in the headlamps and the grille has also been replicated by the rectangular black trim that spans the entire fascia. Yet another nod to the original is the thick B-pillar design, which also incorporates a kink in the window line, but it doesn’t get functional roof rails like the original.

The 2025 Sierra has a much sharper rake for the windscreen, shorter front and rear overhangs and rides on large 19-inch wheels, with 17- and 18-inch options also on offer. Also, as with many new cars, the latest Sierra gets LED headlights, full-width LED light bars at the front and rear, flush-type door handles and a powered tailgate.

Tata Sierra interior and features: New vs old

While the exterior harks back to the Sierra of yesteryear, the interior, aside from the 4-spoke steering wheel design, is far removed. Keeping up with modern trends, a massive triple-screen setup – a 10.25-inch driver’s display, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch passenger screen – spans the dashboard, replacing the analogue dials and some physical buttons and knobs. Thankfully, Tata has retained physical toggles for the HVAC controls.

It also has to be one of the best interiors we have seen in a Tata car so far, with tasteful colours, trims and materials. For instance, the slim, asymmetrical band on the dashboard with a fabric-like finish actually hides a JBL sound bar.

In a similar vein, the original Sierra also came with many unique features, some of which even qualified it as a premium SUV at the time. Its interior may seem utilitarian today, but things like air conditioning, power windows and a tachometer were rarities when the original Sierra was launched. In fact, the Sierra was often considered to be ahead of its time.

Tata Sierra powertrain options: New vs old

Originally, the Sierra came with a naturally aspirated diesel engine, but later, that was updated to a 91hp, 186Nm 2-litre turbo-diesel. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard, and Tata even offered a 4x4 version.

Tata’s new 1.5L TGDI engine pictured on the left.

While the new Sierra only comes in a front-wheel-drive configuration, customers have a much more diverse powertrain line-up to choose from. The current Sierra’s powertrain options include a 160hp, 255Nm 1.5-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, along with its 106hp, 145Nm naturally aspirated derivative mated to a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Sierra diesel uses the familiar 118hp 1.5-litre engine and comes with 6-speed manual (260Nm) and 6-speed automatic (280Nm) options. Tata will also introduce an electric powertrain for the Sierra later.

With the revival of the Sierra nameplate, Tata Motors is certainly playing the nostalgia card to take on the Hyundai Creta. This is one of the most fiercely competitive and populated segments in the Indian market, and the nameplate aside, the new Sierra does seem to have what it takes to finally give Tata Motors a proper crack at the midsize SUV segment.

Also see:

2025 Tata Sierra marks five debuts for the brand

How is the new Tata Sierra as a family car?