You, we and an SUV

The '90s Sierra was ahead of its time. The new version adds space and comfort. But can it crack the cutthroat SUV market?

- HORMAZD SORABJEE

When the Tata Sierra first appeared in the early 1990s, it stood apart from anything else on Indian roads. It was one of the country's first lifestyle SUVs, offering three doors, large glass windows and a sense of modernity that felt ahead of its time.

While it never sold in big numbers, the Sierra became a symbol of what an Indian carmaker could attempt, even if the market wasn't ready. The Sierra then was unreliable, not ready for the market either.

More than three decades on, Tata Motors has revived the name in different circumstances. Tata is now an established SUV player, with the Nexon Punch, Harrier and Safari. The new Sierra, then, isn't about experimentation. It's about delivering a well-rounded midsize SUV in a fiercely competitive segment, while quietly carrying its own legacy on.