Tata Sierra Pure Petrol MT

Given what you're looking for in your SUV, the Tata Sierra makes more sense than the Harrier for you. It will feel like a considerable upgrade from your Ford EcoSport Diesel MT, most notably in size and features. And yes, as you mentioned, its standout design is really one of its biggest selling points. 

The Harrier has a much stronger engine, though build quality isn't too far off, but the premium Tata Motors is asking over the Sierra, spec for spec, doesn't feel worth it when the latter is such a good package. The sunroof, unfortunately, has become an inescapable feature in modern cars, especially in these segments, and it's something that you'll just have to accept and not use if you want the rest of the features as well. 

Tata is known to update its models regularly and add new trim levels, and maybe it will introduce more variants that have the rest of the features minus the sunroof. All things considered, the Sierra represents far better value than the Harrier.

With a daily running of around 50 to 60 km, a diesel automatic makes good sense as your monthly usage will easily justify the better fuel efficiency and relaxed nature of a diesel engine.

Between the two options, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the better choice overall. The diesel engine is refined, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and well-suited for normal city traffic as well as highway drives.

The Tata Sierra is also a strong Midsize SUV with more cabin space. But its diesel engine is noticeably noisier and less refined than the Hyundai-Kia diesel. It is also over a lakh more expensive in comparable automatic variants.

For your usage and preference for an automatic, the Seltos diesel automatic is the more balanced and sensible option thanks to its refinement, smooth gearbox and lower price.

Without knowing your budget and more requirements, we can't recommend the ideal choice for you. We have shortlisted models that you should consider, and why they are of interest. 

Compact SUVs
- Hyundai Venue: (+) Smooth diesel engine and auto gearbox combo, good interior space, upmarket interior | (-) Expensive for its size
- Kia Sonet: (+) Smooth diesel engine and auto gearbox combo, upmarket interior, good value | (-) Rear seat space is limited, due to be replaced in the coming year

Midsize SUVs

- Kia Seltos: (+) Spacious interior, well equipped, good ride comfort | (-) Performance is adequate only
- Tata Sierra: (+) Class-best space, feature-packed, tough build, ride comfort | (-) Engine feels noisy, road noise
- Hyundai Creta: (+) Well equipped, decent performance | (-) Due to be replaced in the coming year   

   

If you don't mind the additional spend, we'd recommend the Mahindra XUV 7XO in AX7 trim. Elements like its larger 18-inch alloy wheels and leatherette upholstery add greatly to the look and feel of things. While auto climate control, a 540-degree camera and front parking sensors are features you will appreciate every day.  

The Tata Sierra is not a like-for-like alternative to the Mahindra 7XO. The 7XO is larger, more powerful and also offers three rows of seating.

Further, the 7XO is slightly pricier, too. Within Tata's range, the Tata Safari is an alternative to the 7XO. 

The Kia Seltos is a good choice for your needs. The combination of the 1.5-litre petrol engine and the IVT automatic works well together. The engine feels responsive to light throttle inputs in regular driving, and the IVT delivers a seamless experience with not much of the rubber-band effect you normally get with CVTs.

On paper, the Renault Duster also looks like a good option, but we would wait until we have driven it before recommending it. The Tata Sierra with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine feels quite sluggish, particularly when paired with the DCT, which is a bit slow to respond.

Before you decide, test drive all three in the variants you are considering.

With your limited running, a petrol-engined vehicle would be advisable. Since you are looking at a top-end automatic version, the Tata Sierra and Kia Seltos are both good options. The Hyryder is good, but it is the oldest of this trio and you won’t see much benefit from its hybrid system with your limited running.

Between the Sierra and the Seltos, it depends on where your priorities lie. Both offer refined and powerful 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines, but the Sierra uses a six-speed torque converter gearbox, which is smoother in the city, while the Seltos uses a 7-speed DCT that is quicker to shift but can sometimes hesitate in traffic. The Sierra is the pricier of the two but also has the roomier cabin and more features.

It is worth noting that Tata’s service experience can be hit or miss, while Kia’s is generally regarded as among the best in the segment. If the roomier cabin, features and the sheer road presence the Sierra offers are important to you, then it is the one to have. But if service experience is a priority, then the Seltos is the safer bet. However, before deciding, do take a test drive of both SUVs.

If you are satisfied with the Tata experience, you could consider the Tata Sierra. As your usage is on the higher side and you already use a diesel Nexon, we would recommend going for the 1.5-litre diesel with the six-speed torque converter automatic.

The Sierra is roomier than the Nexon and offers the comfortable seating you are looking for, yet it isn’t so large as to become a chore on your long city commute. The diesel engine is grunty for both city and highway use, and the automatic gearbox shifts smoothly. The ride and handling balance is also excellent, making it a very enjoyable SUV to drive.

A mid-spec Adventure+ comes with all the necessities, along with features like a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera. Importantly, it also gets a reclining rear seat and a thigh-support extension for the front seats, both of which improve seating comfort. Do take a test drive before committing to buying.

Both these are very compelling SUVs that score high on desirability and road presence, as well as on interior space, but also do things very differently from one another. The Thar Roxx has the larger and more powerful engines which, combined with its aggressively calibrated automatic gearboxes, delivery strong and instantaneous performance. 

The downside, however, is that fuel economy takes a huge nosedive, which might be an annoyance on your long highway journeys. Moreover, the engines are not very refined and can feel a little too highly strung when you aren't driving quickly. And finally, while it is fun to drive in off-road and perhaps dirt-road conditions, it feels relatively large and cumbersome on tarmac, thanks in part to its ladder-frame construction. 

The Tata Sierra T-GDi, then, proves to be the better choice for you overall, as its monocoque chassis and sharper steering make it a lot more fun on the road. While not quite as powerful as the Mahindra, its 160hp turbo-petrol has more than enough punch and its 6-speed automatic is smooth too. It's also the more comfortable and fuel-efficient of the two by far, which should help on your highway drives.