Latest questions
Asked by: Vikram Singh I am first looking to buy my first car, and yes, I went to the used car market but somehow didn't find any good enough. Now I am looking to buy new only; my preferences are space, practicality, and comfort. I am looking for a compact SUV, like the Venue, but now that the Sierra has been launched, I really like it. I can spend up to 18 lakh. The prices for Sierra are a bit more than what I expected, but still, I am inclined to buy it, and if needed, I can spend a little more. Now I am confused. Should I go for NA/TGDI? The Tata Sierra is a very desirable choice thanks to its striking design, generous features, and rich, premium-feeling cabin. It’s a car that instantly feels a class above.The 1.5 NA engine, however, makes only 106hp. While that’s adequate for everyday driving, the problem lies more with the gearboxes it’s paired to — the 6-speed manual and the twin-clutch automatic aren’t the smoothest, and they don’t deliver the effortless power delivery you’re expecting in a car at this price.The 160hp 1.5 turbo-petrol, on the other hand, is a much stronger, far smoother unit. Crucially, it’s paired with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic, and this combination is among the smoothest and most refined in the segment. It genuinely enhances the Sierra’s premium positioning.Yes, the TGDi versions are priced higher, but Tata is offering a long feature list to justify the premium. Given your budget flexibility and your preference for comfort and practicality, we feel it’s worth stretching for the turbo-petrol. It suits the Sierra’s character far better and will make ownership more satisfying in the long run. Asked by: Mohit Mehta I want to buy an automatic petrol car for my family. The car will mainly be used for dropping off and picking up my kids and for visiting factories for my business. My budget is within Rs 20 lakh on-road. I am looking at brands like Hyundai, Toyota, and Mahindra. Other cars, like the Tata Sierra or any exceptional options, are also fine. I am also confused between buying a sedan and an SUV. Please help me decide. I plan to buy the car in 2026. The Tata Sierra is the newest car and seems to be the nicest option in the sub-Rs 20 lakh space. It is a handsome SUV; its cabin feels plush, is comfortable, and it is feature-rich, too. We've experienced the new turbo-petrol-automatic (and not the petrol-DCT), and on first impression, this combination is not only smooth and refined, but it is also very quick.Since you are planning to buy the vehicle in a few months, keep an eye out for our more detailed reviews and fuel efficiency stories of the Sierra on our website, which will give you a better idea of how it performs in the real world. Asked by: Chandra Hi, I'm planning to buy my first car. I drive about 1500-1800 km per month (80% city). My budget is about 15 -17 lakhs. I'm so confused between Nexon, XUV 3XO, Venue, and all of the diesel automatic variants. I'm open to hybrid variants as well. My priorities are: safety, fuel efficiency, comfort & features. Also thinking about Sierra & Duster of automatic variants. Please suggest a good one. Thank you. Since you drive 50–60km a day (about 1,500–1,800km a month), it’s understandable that you want something efficient and economical to run. A hybrid would normally make sense, but the Maruti Suzuki strong hybrids (Grand Vitara / Victoris) and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder sit above your budget. More importantly, with your running, it would still take years to recover the higher upfront cost of the hybrid powertrain.The upcoming Renault Duster is promising, but will launch only with petrol engines — no diesel and no hybrid — so fuel efficiency won’t match a diesel automatic in daily city use. As for the Tata Sierra, it’s a very appealing SUV thanks to its design, space, and premium cabin. However, the 1.5 diesel in the Sierra isn’t the most refined or punchy in the segment, and the pricing of the higher variants, especially the autos, will stretch well past the upper end of your budget. Also, the Sierra is more of a lifestyle SUV than an efficiency-focused one.Given your budget and priorities — safety, fuel efficiency, comfort, and features — a diesel compact SUV still fits best. Rear-seat space is not a big concern since you’ll mostly be driving yourself, so you don’t need to pay extra for a larger mid-size SUV.Among your shortlist, the recently launched Hyundai Venue 1.5 diesel automatic is the most balanced choice. It offers:Excellent fuel efficiencyStrong, relaxed performanceSmooth and city-friendly automaticLong feature list that rivals larger SUVsProven safety and reliabilityOverall, the Venue diesel auto gives you the best combination of economy, comfort, and everyday usability within your budget. Asked by: Vighnesh Selvam I am interested in the new Tata Sierra. However, I became hesitant after seeing the tyre specifications. The new Tata Sierra offers three tyre sizes: 215/65 R17, 225/60 R18 and 225/55 R19. If forced to choose, I prefer comfort and safety over driving experience and aesthetics. I like the top variants, but they come with R19 tyres that have a sidewall of around 124mm, whereas the base variants have a sidewall height of around 150mm, which is a significant difference. I want comfort, but I also prefer the top variant. What should I do? It’s true that tyre sidewall height plays a role in cushioning passengers from bumps and protecting the wheel from pothole impacts. A taller sidewall flexes more, which naturally gives a softer low-speed ride and better absorption of sharp edges. So your concern is understandable.However, after driving the Tata Sierra extensively on the 19-inch wheels, we can safely say that the lower-profile tyres aren’t likely to be an issue on our roads. Yes, the low-speed or “secondary” ride is a touch firmer compared to the smaller wheel options, but it’s never uncomfortable. Only very sharp edges and sudden potholes make their presence felt, and even then, the suspension does a good job of rounding them off.Crucially, overall comfort and stability remain very good, and the difference is not large enough to justify skipping the top variant, especially if that’s the one you truly prefer. In real-world use, you won’t feel like you’ve made a big compromise by choosing the R19 setup. Asked by: Dr Santhosh I was planning to buy the Harrier Adventure X Plus, but the recent launch of the new Sierra has put me in a dilemma. Now I am confused between the Accomplished Plus variant of the Sierra and the Adventure X Plus variant of the Harrier, both in diesel automatic. My monthly usage is around 1,000-1,300km. I also have doubts regarding the performance, refinement and reliability of the 1.5 Kryojet diesel engine of the Tata Sierra compared to the Fiat-sourced 2.0 Kryotec diesel engine of the Harrier. The Tata Harrier and Sierra are both in different segments, but with the price and even feature overlap, we can understand your dilemma. In terms of engine performance, the 1.5 L Kyyojet diesel is basically the same unit as the 1.5 L diesel from the Curvv and Nexon, thus in that sense it's a proven unit.As for refinement, both the Tata Sierra and Harrier engines are vocal units, the Sierra being slightly louder of the two. If your usage is mostly in the city, the Sierra would be the better of the two. It feels lighter on its feet, and the smaller footprint will be easier to manage in traffic.Furthermore, the Sierra sits in the 'right-size-for-India' space; it's just right for our tight and dense traffic, but also large enough inside to offer good room and comfort. Asked by: Srikanth I have been driving a Creta petrol (70,000km), mostly on highways (85:15). I am now thinking of an upgrade, and my mind is moving towards the Sierra (turbo petrol) or the Harrier (petrol). I am looking for a more performance-oriented automatic transmission vehicle, given that I have moved to Bengaluru for good. Should I go for either of these, or should I consider a used luxury SUV? If yes, which would be the best option? Tata's new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is smooth, refined and deceptively quick. And if you're someone who likes a linear power delivery, you're likely to love the Tata Sierra for the way it performs. Yes, its engine isn't high revving, still it builds speeds rapidly, and has plenty of pulling power to make quick overtakes.Alternatively, you could look at the Mahindra XUV700 petrol too, which is another strong performer. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts