Tata Motors Sierra: Performance Explained

The Tata Sierra is a mid-size SUV with three engine variants to suit various driving requirements and a unique design. The naturally aspirated petrol engine, turbo-petrol engine and turbo-diesel engine options are available for the buyer. Each option provides a different acceleration, torque, transmission and fuel efficiency combination.

Engine Options and Power Output

The Tata Sierra comes with three 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engines.

The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated Revotron petrol unit generates 106 PS of power at 6,000 rpm, and 145 Nm of torque at 2,100 rpm. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). This engine would be ideal for your day-to-day driving and commuting.

The 1.5-litre Hyperion turbo-petrol engine delivers 160 PS at 5,000 rpm and 255 Nm of torque between 1,750 and 4,000 rpm. It comes with a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. The strongest engine has the most powerful performance in the Sierra, targeting buyers who seek more acceleration and higher performance.

The 1.5-litre Kryojet turbo-diesel engine produces 118 PS at 4,000 rpm. Between 1,500 and 2,750 rpm, it delivers a maximum of 260 Nm of torque (with the six-speed manual transmission) and 280 Nm (with the six-speed automatic). The power is high at low speeds and can be beneficial in regular driving and on the highway.

City Driving Performance

The naturally aspirated petrol engine is the simple choice for city driving, for daily commuting. It has a power delivery that is good for everyday driving, but may require shifting gears to accelerate more quickly.

The turbo-petrol engine offers greater acceleration when leaving a stop light or when passing. It also has an automatic transmission which makes driving easier when in stop and go traffic.

The diesel engine also has high power output at lower engine speeds, helping to keep the SUV in motion without having to change gears frequently. But, it will depend on the driving needs, traffic conditions, and the driver's petrol versus diesel preference.

Highway Performance

The turbo-petrol unit is the performance front-runner in highways. It has an additional 160 PS and 255 Nm of torque, giving it a higher acceleration potential than the naturally aspirated petrol engine. It's also very convenient for longer trips with the 6-speed automatic transmission.

The other option is the diesel engine which can be used for long-distance road travel. The torque output enables quicker acceleration at lower engine speeds and the manual and automatic gearboxes give the buyer the freedom to choose between the two.

The naturally aspirated petrol engine can also be used on the highway, but is not as powerful as the turbo-petrol engine. Shifting down may be necessary for faster overtaking, especially when driving with passengers or luggage.

Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

The Tata Sierra's mileage is ARAI certified and depends on the engine and transmission:

- Petrol, auto-needle, naturally aspirated: 17.4 km/l

- Naturally aspirated petrol & DCT: 16.9 km/l

- Turbo-petrol, automatic: 15.3 km/l

- Diesel, manual: 21.26 km/l

- Diesel, automatic: 19.22 km/l

These are certified test results and may not represent actual driving conditions. Autocar India tested the turbo-petrol automatic and the diesel automatic and got around 10.1 km/l and around 13.05 km/l respectively. This is true actual fuel efficiency and can vary with traffic, driving habits, road conditions and air-conditioning usage.

Final Verdict

There are three engine options available to suit various options. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is good for all-around driving, while the turbo-petrol is the most powerful engine for fans who value quick acceleration. The diesel engine provides excellent torque and has the best advertised range in combination with the manual transmission.