Tata Motors offers two unique and differently positioned SUVs in the mid-size SUV space, namely, the Sierra and the Curvv. Both models share the same 1.5-litre diesel engine. But both get different body styles, with the Sierra getting a traditional SUV look and the Curvv getting a coupe-SUV form. We compare diesel-automatic versions of the Sierra and Curvv to find out which one delivers more mileage in our real-world tests.
Tata Sierra vs Curvv diesel AT: Specifications and price
Sierra produces more torque and gets a bigger fuel tank
Both the Sierra and Curvv feature the same 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 118hp of power. However, the Sierra gets slightly more torque at 280Nm in comparison to the Curvv’s 260Nm. A point worth noting is the fact that the Sierra’s engine is paired to a torque converter automatic, while the Curvv’s engine is mated to a DCT gearbox. Also, the former gets a larger 50-litre fuel tank, while the latter gets a 44-litre fuel tank. When it comes to price, the Curvv’s diesel automatic variants are more affordable than the Sierra’s.
Tata Sierra vs Curvv diesel AT: Real-world fuel efficiency
Curvv has better efficiency overall, but Sierra goes further on a full tank
Tata has not revealed the ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency figures of both SUVs, but in our real-world tests, the Curvv outdid the Sierra by over 1kpl. This is due to the much higher 17kpl achieved by the Curvv on the highway. However, in the city, the mileage figures of both the SUVs were almost similar.
While the Curvv outperforms the Sierra on average fuel efficiency, the latter's substantially larger fuel tank enables it to go about 28km further on a full tank than the Curvv.
Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing
Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, running the air conditioner and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
