The Tata Sierra was one of India’s first homegrown SUVs, launched in 1991. It had a distinctive look and was quite advanced for its time. The front resembled the Telcoline pickup, but the rear had a unique design with large fixed alpine windows. The only way to access the rear seats was through a front collapsible passenger seat—an unusual feature for an SUV.
Under the hood, the Sierra came with a 2.0L naturally aspirated (NA) 483 DL engine, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox that sent power to the rear wheels. Later models also had a four-wheel-drive option. The car had a rugged yet stylish design, with a spare wheel mounted externally on the rear door, covered with a fabric cover featuring a stylized “Tata Sierra” branding.
The rear bumper had plastic shrouds at the ends, and the number plate was placed centrally with beveled lamps for illumination. The taillights had a tricolor (clear lens-orange-red) design, and the front headlamps had black bezels with amber turn indicators. The grille had a “cheese grater” look, with a circular Tata insignia flanked by two chrome bars. A “Tata Sierra” badge was positioned on the front quarter panels on both sides.
Despite being a three-door SUV, the Sierra was spacious and had a bold presence on the road. It became an iconic vehicle, paving the way for Tata’s later SUV models.
Tata Sierra (1991) Specifications
| Class | Mid-Size SUV |
|---|---|
| Body Style | 3-door SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive / Four-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Tata X2 |
| Engine | 2.0 L 483 DL/DLTC I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | Measurements |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94 in) |
| Length | 4,400 mm (170 in) |
| Width | 1,730 mm (68 in) |
| Height | 1,770 mm (70 in) |
The Tata Sierra was ahead of its time in terms of design and features, making it a classic in Indian automotive history.
