Tata has re-entered the Indian SUV segment with the comeback of the Sierra, reviving a nameplate that has been absent for more than two decades. The reborn Sierra arrives with near concept-car styling, modern technology, and a price tag that feels shockingly affordable for what it offers.

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The new Sierra first appeared as a concept in 2023, and the production version remains remarkably faithful to that design. Its squared-off silhouette and rugged stance lend it Land Rover vibes, a detail made all the more interesting given Tata’s ownership of JLR.

Premium Looks

The strong B-pillar and wraparound rear glass nod to the original three-door Sierra of 1991, which stayed in production until 2003. Those retro cues meet contemporary details like glossy black cladding, aluminum-effect skid plates, sculpted rear haunches, and an upright tail capped with full-width LEDs.

Base models sit on 17-inch steel wheels, while top trims roll on 19-inch alloys with a more polished look. The overall design wouldn’t feel out of place alongside a modern-day Freelander or even a compact Defender.

Tata has also given us a glimpse of the upcoming Sierra EV that stands out thanks to a Tesla-like full-width LED bar and a grille-less look for the redesigned front bumper.

The Sierra measures 4,340 mm in length, 1,841 mm in width, and 1,715 mm in height, with a 2,730 mm wheelbase and 205 mm of ground clearance. That footprint plants it squarely among rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Suzuki Grand Vitara / Victoris, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, and VW Taigun.

High-Tech Interior

Step inside and the Sierra greets you with a triple-screen setup: a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a matching 12.3-inch passenger display.

The options list runs deep, including a 12-speaker JBL system with a dashboard sound bar, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, ventilated seats, and what Tata calls the largest panoramic sunroof in its class.

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Tata promises a roomy and comfortable five-seat cabin, finished with soft-touch materials and offering a 622-litre (22-cubic-foot) boot. The company has also placed strong emphasis on safety, even showcasing a crash test that recreated a vehicle-to-vehicle impact. Standard equipment includes six airbags and an ADAS suite with Level 2+ autonomous features.

Flexible Underpinnings

The Sierra rides on Tata’s new ARGOS platform (All-Terrain Ready, Omni-Energy, and Geometry Scalable architecture), designed to support multiple powertrain types.

At launch, the Sierra will be available with a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 105 hp (78 kW / 106 PS), a turbocharged 1.5-liter with 158 hp (118 kW / 160 PS), and a 1.5-liter turbodiesel with 116 hp (87 kW / 118 PS).

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Transmission choices include a six-speed manual, a seven-speed dual-clutch, or a six-speed automatic. All versions are front-wheel drive for now, with selectable terrain modes, but all-wheel drive is planned. Later on, the lineup will expand to include fully electric, hybrid, and CNG options.

Priced To Sell

And that brings us to price, arguably the Sierra’s biggest talking point. Tata has announced a starting figure of ₹11.49 lakh (around $12,800 or about what you’d pay for a bespoke color at Range Rover), which positions it as strong value in its class.

Even so, it lands just above the Hyundai Creta, priced from ₹10.72 lakh ($12,100), which continues to dominate India’s SUV charts.

Orders for the Sierra open on December 16, with deliveries beginning January 16. For now, Tata says the model will be sold exclusively in India, with no export plans on the table.

EV adoption in India, the world’s most populous nation, has been slower than policymakers anticipated, but the country’s Supreme Court now believes it may have found a new lever to accelerate change.

The judges have urged the government to consider a gradual phase-out of luxury ICE cars, arguing that a targeted approach could push cleaner mobility without disturbing the broader market.

Also: EU May Quietly Ban Gas Rentals Starting In 2030

The bench suggests that withdrawing luxury and premium models with combustion engines, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids, could act as a test case for a measured “phased transition” toward electric mobility.

According to Autocar India, EVs already account for around 12 percent of sales in the premium segments, far higher than the 2–3 percent share seen among mass-market models.

Could a Luxury Ban Spark an EV Shift?

Critics point out that luxury vehicles represent a tiny fraction of India’s automotive landscape, arguing that the proposed ban would have a limited impact on national emissions. Others blame the weak scrappage policy for the country’s aging fleet of cars and LCVs which poses a far bigger pollution problem.

Others point instead to the weak vehicle scrappage framework, which leaves aging cars and light commercial vehicles on the road far beyond their prime, an issue that poses a much larger pollution challenge.

More: ‘We’ll Be Driving Full Speed Into The Wall’ Warns Mercedes Chief On Europe’s EV Future

Even so, the court maintains that an EV-only requirement for high-end models would send a clear signal without harming affordability for the masses and disrupting the nation’s new car market.

As India Today reports, Justice Kant noted that carmakers already offer a range of premium electric models matching the comfort and performance of their combustion counterparts.

He explained, “Since these vehicles cater to a very small and affluent segment, imposing restrictions on high-end petrol and diesel cars can be a starting point. The common man will not be affected.”

The Government’s Willing To Discuss

Luxury brands such as Mercedes and BMW already maintain substantial zero-emission lineups, yet an internal combustion ban would inevitably reshape their operations in India, bringing possible ripple effects for local employment and supplier investment.

More: EU May Quietly Ban Gas Rentals Starting In 2030

For now, the idea remains a proposal without firm timelines. However, the Supreme Court has asked the government to review its National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, with another hearing scheduled for December.

India’s Attorney General confirmed that the administration is “alive to the idea,” citing ongoing coordination across 13 ministries and departments, covering everything from manufacturing incentives to charging infrastructure.

Sources: Autocar India, India

The SUV staring back at you here is the Honda 0 α, unveiled in a world premiere at the Japan Mobility Show and already edging toward production within the next two years.

It’s officially labeled a “prototype,” but as we’ve seen in the past, in Honda terms, that means pre-production rather than pure concept. It joins the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV that made their debut earlier this year, rounding out Honda’s latest attempt to reinvent itself for the electric age.

Read: Honda’s 0 Saloon EV Looks Like A Lambo Gallardo Sedan From The Future

Honda refers to the 0 α (Alpha) as a “gateway model” for its 0 Series range of electric vehicles. The production model will hit the market in 2027 and be available in markets around the world, with a particular focus on Japan and India.

It has a very similar design to the 0 SUV, but is slightly smaller. And, just like the two other 0 Series models, it looks unlike anything in Honda’s current range.

The most obvious points of difference between the 0 α and the 0 SUV are found at the front. This smaller model rocks a set of different LED taillights and DRLs, but retains an illuminated Honda badge. The lower bumper has also been redesigned and looks slightly more aggressive with a pair of body-colored elements.

From the side, the 0 α looks almost indiscernible from the larger model. It retains the same odd shape with an incredibly high rear window and thick rear pillars.

It also has the same rocker panels, the same basic doors, and the same flush handles. The most obvious difference is that it’s slightly shorter and lacks the tiny window behind the C-pillars of the larger model.

The similarities continue at the rear. Honda has equipped the 0 α with a U-shaped LED lightbar that stretches up the tailgate. Notably, the 0 α has a larger rear window than the 0 SUV, which should improve rear visibility. A curvaceous bumper also catches the eye.

What About The Tech?

Honda has yet to release any technical specifications about the new prototype. We know that the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV will share a platform with the Afeela EV that Honda co-developed with Sony. Presumably, the 0 α will also use the same architecture.

The carmaker notes that the 0 α also adopts the same ‘Thin, Light, and Wise’ approach of the other 0 Series models. Honda has previously said this approach will lead to the creation of an “ultra-thin battery pack” and a compact e-Axle.

The thin battery pack will allow Honda to reduce the height of the floors in its EVs and boost cabin space without impacting ground clearance.

As with the other 0 Series models, the 0 α should hit the market with at least 300 miles or 483 km of range. All 0 Series models are also tipped to hit the market with Level 3 self-driving capabilities that include an eyes-off function for highway traffic jams.

We also know the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV will come standard with NACS charging ports, although it’s unclear if the 0 α will as well given that Honda hasn’t mentioned any plans to sell it in North America.

New Poll: American Voters Support Federal Investments in Electric Vehicles Broad, Bipartisan Support for EV Investments and Incentives that Lower Costs, Expand Access, and Help the U.S. Beat China in the Race for Auto Manufacturing WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new bipartisan national poll conducted by Meeting Street Insights and Hart Research finds broad public support …

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