Having returned to South Africa last year, Tata will expand its product line-up in 2026 with two additional models.
‘Official return’
Comprising the Nexon and Sierra, the former will be an entirely new entity as it debuted in India in 2017, and has already been subjected to two facelifts since then.
Less so is the Sierra, which was briefly sold over two decades ago in a low-key fashion based on the ladder-frame platform of the Telcoline bakkie.
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Sold in limited numbers, the debut of the all-new third generation in December last year represents a radical change from the first two iterations.
Its, and the Nexon’s approval for South Africa made in January, the Sierra also celebrates its 35th anniversary this year as the first SUV Tata ever made.
No AWD for now
Compared to its predecessors, the Sierra now rides on a unibody platform and, for the moment, does without four-wheel drive.
A report from Autocar India after its launch did, however, confirm that an all-paw gripping system is being worked on, but only in 2027.
What is it?
Now comprising a five-door bodystyle unlike the original’s three, the Sierra has a claimed ground clearance of 205 mm and between 622 and 1 257 litres of boot space.
Tata claims a departure angle of 31.6 degrees, a breakover angle of 23.1 degrees, and an approach angle of 26.5 degrees.
Underneath, its ARGOS platform has measurements of 4Â 340 mm in overall length, a wheelbase of 2Â 730 mm, height of 1Â 715 mm and width of 1Â 992 mm.
Petrol or diesel
In India, the Sierra has a choice of three engines, all limited to 1.5-litres, and, in complete contrast to the originals’ 2.0-litre Dicor turbodiesel.
Starting the range, the normally aspirated 1.5-litre Revotron petrol engine sends 78kW/145 Nm to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
With the inclusion of a turbocharger, now called Hyperion, the unit makes 118kW/255 Nm and is paired solely with a six-speed torque-converter automatic.
Powering the diesel, the 1.5-litre Kryojet produces 87kW/250 Nm when mated to the six-speed manual, and 280 Nm when specified with the six-speed automatic.
Spec
In total, seven trim levels are offered in India: Smart+, Pure, Pure+, Adventure, Adventure+, Accomplished and Accomplished+.
Depending on the selection, the specification includes the following:
- 17-inch steel to 19-inch alloy wheels;
- bi-LED headlights;
- rain sense wipers;
- 12-speaker JBL sound system;
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster;
- dual 12.3-inch displays;
- dual-zone climate control;
- wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto;
- cooled glovebox;
- front and rear armrests;
- wireless smartphone charger;
- electric tailgate;
- ventilated and electric front seats;
- ambient lighting;
- voice control;
- Head-Up Display
On the safety side, and again based on trim level, the Sierra’s spec sheet comprises;
- front and rear parking sensors;
- tyre pressure monitor;
- sx airbags;
- surround-view camera system;
- traction control;
- stability control;
- Adaptive Cruise Control;
- Rollover Mitigation;
- Forward Collision Warning;
- Auto High Beam Assist;
- Lane Departure Warning;
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert;
- Steering Assist;
- Automatic Emergency Braking;
- Lane Change Assist;
- Blind Spot Monitoring;
- Lane Centring Assist;
- Traffic Sign Recognition;
- Lane Keep Assist
Colours
In total, six colours are offered in its home market:
- Pristine White;
- Pure Grey;
- Munnar Mist;
- Coorg Cloud;
- Bengal Rouge;
- Andaman Adventure
Price?
Priced from Rs 1Â 149Â 900 to Rs 1Â 849Â 900, which amounts to between R206 425 and R332 086 when directly converted and without taxes, the Sierra’s official South Africa launch is still to be announced.
As it will slot in between the Curvv and Harrier, speculation points to a starting price tag around the R500Â 000 to R520Â 000 mark.
However, this, as mentioned, isn’t confirmed and will only be proven accurate or not come its eventual market arrival.
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