Tata Motors offers two unique and differently positioned SUVs in the midsize SUV space, namely, the Sierra and the Curvv, both packing the same 1.5-litre diesel engine. However, they sport different body styles – while the Sierra has a traditional SUV look, the Curvv is a coupe-SUV. We compare diesel-automatic versions of the Sierra and Curvv to find out which one delivers more mileage in our real-world tests.

Tata Sierra vs Curvv diesel AT: Specifications and price

Sierra produces more torque and gets a bigger fuel tank

The 1.5-litre diesel engine powering the Sierra and Curvv produces 118hp, but it puts out slightly more torque in the Sierra – 280Nm compared to the Curvv’s 260Nm. A point worth noting is that in the Sierra, it is paired with a torque-converter automatic, while in the Curvv, it is mated to a DCT gearbox. Coming to price, the Curvv’s diesel automatic variants are more affordable than the Sierra’s.

Tata Sierra vs Curvv diesel AT: Real-world fuel efficiency

Curvv has better efficiency overall, but Sierra goes further on a full tank

Tata has not revealed the ARAI-rated fuel-efficiency figures of either SUVs, but in our real-world tests, the Curvv diese-AT’s average fuel efficiency was a little over 1kpl higher than the Sierra. This is thanks to a much higher 17.23kpl it achieved on the highway, compared to the Sierra’s 14.56kpl, although their fuel efficiency in the city were almost similar.   

While the Curvv’s average fuel efficiency is higher, the Sierra’s fuel tank, with a 50-litre capacity, can hold 6 litres more than the Curvv, enabling it to go about 28km further on a full tank.  

Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing

Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, running the air conditioner and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.

Prices are ex-showroom, India.