Tata Sierra Accomplished Diesel AT

Autocar India

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Given your love for long drives, you will be happier with the Renault Duster. It's got a fantastic ride and handling balance, which will make your journeys comfortable and very enjoyable. The great suspension and body control are matched by a strong 160hp, 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. Power and performance are good. Going for a Duster does come with a slight compromise in terms of cabin space. It's not as roomy as the Hyundai Creta and other models, like the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra. If more space is a key priority, the Hyundai Creta Turbo-DCT is worth a look. Of the other alternatives, the Kia Seltos Turbo DCT and Tata Sierra turbo AT are also strong options.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

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It boils down to space versus power between these two Tata SUVs. Though the Curvv uses smaller 1.2-litre petrol engines, they are turbocharged. Therefore, the engine offers more power and torque than the Sierra's naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol, which feels very underpowered. It's okay for city use, but on your 40% highway usage, you will appreciate the more effortless feel of the Curvv's turbocharged engines.On the other hand, if space is your priority, the Tata Sierra offers much more than the Curvv, both when it comes to cabin and luggage space. The seats are also much more comfortable, front and rear, with greater visibility all round. Both cars are well equipped, with features like panoramic sunroofs, 10.25-inch touchscreens, surround-view cameras and more, though in Creative Plus S trim, the Curvv offers slightly more than the Sierra Adventure.Ultimately, it's down to your requirements, but we feel the Curvv offers more bang for your buck and your usage.

Tata Curvv

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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For your requirement, the Tata Harrier does make a strong case, especially coming from a diesel like the Captur. Its diesel engine offers strong torque, which makes highway cruising and overtaking effortless, and the overall ride and stability are very reassuring on long drives as well as broken roads. The spacious cabin and solid build further add to its appeal as a proper upgrade.The Hyundai Creta is easier to drive in the city, offers more features and a smoother overall ownership experience, but it does not feel as robust or as planted as the Harrier at highway speeds. The Mahindra XUV 3XO sits in a segment below, so while it is more compact and easier to manage in the city, it won’t give you the same sense of upgrade in space or road presence. The Tata Sierra has a smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine, which, just like the Creta, won't feel like an upgrade over your Captur.A very important alternative you should consider is the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or its sibling, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder in AWD form. These are very good all-around road cars, and the AWD system adds genuine capability for mild off-roading and slippery conditions by sending power to all four wheels when needed. This makes them more versatile than the Harrier or Creta for rough trails, even if they are not hardcore off-roaders.The trade-off, however, is performance. The petrol engines in these AWD versions are not very torquey, especially compared to the Harrier’s diesel, which means they don’t feel as effortless on highways or when fully loaded.

Tata Harrier

Hyundai Creta

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Sierra

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

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Go for the Kia Seltos HTX 1.5 diesel MT variant, which comes in just under Rs 18 lakh on-road. Since your usage is very high, the refined and efficient 1.5-litre diesel engine is a good choice. Your requirement for top-notch safety is met, too, with the Seltos being the current highest-scoring ICE SUV rated by Bharat NCAP.This Kia car also gets features like alloy wheels, keyless entry and a rear wash-wipe that the similarly priced Tata Sierra Pure does not offer. With your high usage, you will also find Kia’s unlimited kilometre warranty useful.Where the Sierra betters the Seltos is in interior space. If the space in the Seltos is not sufficient for your needs, then consider the Sierra instead. On the test drive, check if refinement, highway cruising ability and seat comfort are satisfactory for your long commutes.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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Go with the Kia Seltos 1.5-litre IVT. The HTK trim with the automatic costs Rs 14.39 lakh ex-showroom and comes very well equipped with features such as alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch HD infotainment system with six speakers, cruise control, and rear-seat sunshades. If you can stretch to Rs 15.49 lakh ex-showroom for the HTK (O), you will get a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and more.For your limited usage with five adults, the 1.5-litre engine offers adequate performance, while the IVT automatic is seamless in operation. The cabin is also quite comfortable and can accommodate five passengers with ease. However, the Tata Sierra offers even more space in the rear seat and is a good option if that is a priority. That said, performance from the Sierra's 1.5 NA engine and DCT combination is lackluster.Visit the showroom with your family members to check if they are comfortable with the space inside, and take a test drive to see if the performance is adequate with passengers on board.

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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In terms of width and interior space for five occupants, the Tata Sierra is a good choice for your needs.Your key requirement is space for five, similar to the Seltos. The Sierra is only about 10mm wider than the Seltos, but crucially, it is 80mm longer and can comfortably seat five. It is also comparable to the Kia Seltos in terms of powertrains, ride and handling, features and safety.However, the Sierra is in high demand, and waiting periods could be similar to or even longer than those of the Seltos, depending on the variant. If that is a concern, then consider the Tata Harrier.On the test drive, seat three adults in the rear and do a 10km loop. Check shoulder room, noise levels and suspension comfort with the car fully loaded.

Tata Sierra

Tata Harrier

Kia Seltos

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Both the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and Mahindra Thar Roxx are hardcore off‑roaders first and family cars second, so they’re great on broken roads but compromised as primary road‑trip machines.They really come into their own on dirt tracks, bad village roads and unpaved sections, and they also deliver that rugged, “tough toy” appeal - the Thar Roxx especially has a lot more visual muscle and emotional pull. But for a family of five, we’d immediately rule out the Jimny: it’s simply too narrow for three adults or growing kids to sit comfortably in the back for any length of time, and luggage space is also very limited.The Thar Roxx can realistically take a family of five, but for long highway runs, its suspension is on the firmer, bouncy side, and overall refinement isn’t as good as some of the softer, more road‑biased SUVs. You’ll feel more vertical movement, more noise, and over a full day’s drive that gets tiring, especially for rear passengers.If your main requirement is road trips with the family and you don’t have a specific off‑roading need, a “soft‑roader” is the better tool for the job. Something like the Tata Sierra 1.5 diesel gives you the same tough‑as‑nails image and presence, but with a far more comfortable ride, more space, better highway manners and a more relaxed driving experience over long distances.

Tata Sierra

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Autocar India

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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.

Renault Duster

Renault Kiger

Nissan Magnite

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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Since you have evaluated the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and the Tata Sierra, it would be wise to check out the others in your shortlist too, namely the Renault Duster and the Skoda Kushaq. Checking out your options is always wise, especially when the purchase is of high value.If interior space and features are a key criterion, then the Duster and Kushaq aren't really better off than the Seltos. However, where the Duster and the Kushaq are really good is if you enjoy driving, as both SUVs have responsive engines and provide an entertaining handling feel with good road grip and body control around corners.

Renault Duster

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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The Kia Seltos works very well for your usage because it is extremely easy to drive in the city, thanks to its smooth IVT automatic. It delivers a very seamless driving experience at low speeds, which makes traffic driving stress-free, and this is exactly where it stands out.It also feels like the more premium and newer car overall, especially on the inside. The cabin quality, fit and finish give it a more upmarket feel, and importantly, it offers a more spacious rear seat, which adds to overall comfort and practicality.The Tata Curvv is an interesting option and scores well on design and road presence. But as a package, it is still not as refined or as easy to drive as the Seltos, particularly in city conditions.If you specifically want a Tata car, you can consider the Tata Sierra. It is larger and more comfortable than the Curvv, but within your budget, you will likely be looking at the 1.5 NA petrol with the DCA automatic. While this engine is refined and well-suited for city use, it is not as powerful, and the DCA gearbox is not as smooth as the Seltos’ IVT.

Tata Curvv

Tata Sierra