Tata Sierra vs Renault Duster turbo petrol AT: Real-world mileage compared

The Tata Sierra and Renault Duster are among the most powerful options in the mid-size SUV space. According to ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency figures, the latter outperforms the former by over 3kpl. But is that also the case in real-world tests? We stack the tested fuel efficiency figures of the Sierra and Duster to determine the more frugal SUV of the two. 

Explore full specs, features, and a price breakdown in our Sierra vs Duster comparison.

Tata Sierra vs Renault Duster turbo-petrol AT: Specifications and price

Sierra has the larger engine, but Duster produces more power

The Sierra and Duster turbo-petrol are powered by 1.5-litre and 1.3-litre direct-injection units, respectively. A 6-speed torque converter automatic is present on the Sierra, while the Duster gets a 6-speed DCT gearbox. Here, the Duster’s unit has a power advantage. Also, the Duster is lighter than the Sierra by 189kg, and begins from a more affordable price point. The only similarity between the two SUVs is their 50-litre fuel tanks. 

Tata Sierra vs Renault Duster turbo-petrol AT: Real-world fuel efficiency

Duster delivers more efficiency, albeit by a whisker

Overall, the Renault Duster outdid the Tata Sierra in our real-world mileage tests, but the gap between the two SUVs is minuscule. In the City, the Duster delivered 0.47kpl additional mileage, while the Sierra outperformed it by 0.23kpl on the highway. As a result, the average fuel efficiency of the Duster was just 0.12kpl more in comparison to the Sierra’s. Despite the Duster being the lighter SUV and having a slightly smaller engine, there wasn't much of a difference in overall efficiency figures. Another thing to note is that the Duster’s engine has an auto start/stop function, which the Sierra skips on. As the Duster is more frugal, it can go slightly further on a single tank over the Sierra, which gets a real-world range of 517.5km. Despite the claimed ARAI figures being in favour of the Duster, the real-world figures of both SUVs are neck-and-neck. 

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.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.