While the Tata Sierra is a 5-seater mid-size SUV and the Mahindra XUV 7XO is a 6- or 7-seater SUV, both fall into a similar price bracket. Therefore, when considering the Sierra, it is reasonable to weigh it against the XUV 7XO. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the Sierra is one of the most capable and value-for-money cars in its segment, and it has many folks hell-bent on owning it; the same can be said about the Mahindra XUV 7XO. So, if you are considering the Tata Sierra or Mahindra XUV 7XO as your next car, here is a comprehensive comparison between the two that explains what each brings to the table and which one you should pick.
Tata Sierra vs Mahindra XUV 7XO: Dimensions & Design
| Tata Sierra | Mahindra XUV 7XO | |
| Length | 4,340 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,841 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,715 mm | 1,755 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,730 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 205 mm | 200 mm |
| Boot Space | 622 litres | 240 litres | 700 litres (without third row) |
Clearly, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is larger than the Tata Sierra. The XUV 7XO is 355 mm longer, 49 mm wider, 40 mm taller, and has a 20 mm longer wheelbase compared to the Sierra. However, how comfortably five adults can sit in either of these SUVs depends on a few more factors.
The Mahindra XUV 7XO is available in 6-seater and 7-seater models. With 2 seats in the third row as standard, the 6-seater model has 2 captain seats in the middle row, and the 7-seater model has a 3-seater bench seat in the middle row. Now, a notable point is that the XUV 7XO third row, consisting of 2 seats, is best suited for children and short adults due to insufficient space. So, its 6-seater model essentially has 4 seats for adults and 2 seats for children and short adults, and the 7-seater model has 5 seats for adults and 2 seats for children and short adults. Meanwhile, the third row also reduces the boot space, and with it up, the boot space is only 240 litres.
Whereas the Tata Sierra has 5 amply spacious seats – 2 in the front and a 3-seater bench in the rear – for 5 adults. With this, the Sierra has 622 litres of boot space.
As far as design is concerned, having spent lakhs of their hard-earned money in buying a car, most car owners want their cars to look attractive. This is where the Tata Sierra comes up trumps, compared not only with the Mahindra XUV 7XO but also with many other SUVs in the Indian market.
With a boxy design, which is rare these days, the Sierra gets a high-set, flat bonnet and an upright bumper. The gloss black grille embossed with SIERRA lettering and a full-width light bar add to the bling up front. Its side profile is reminiscent of the original Tata Sierra from 1991, due to the large rear window and quarter glass, which, along with the black roof, mimic the ‘Alpine Window’ found on the original Sierra. At the back, the Sierra features connected taillights, a rather upright tailgate, and a dual-tone bumper with a silver scuff plate. Overall, due to the boxy silhouette, upright tailgate, and squared-off rear glass, the Sierra gives the impression of a high-end Land Rover Defender.
In comparison, the XUV 7XO is a more muscular SUV. Its front-end features a muscular bonnet, boomerang-shaped DRLs, trapezoidal dual-pod LED projector headlights, and black vertical slats on the grille. Lower down is the sharp hexagonal bumper and silver faux skid plate. The side profile highlights the muscular shoulder line with its classical kick-up at the C-pillars, and diamond-cut alloy wheels that go well with gloss-black trim around the wheel arches and lower portion of the doors. At the rear, there are angular LED tail lamps borrowed from the Mahindra XEV 9S, with a honeycomb motif, which continues into a squared-off bumper with gloss-black trim.
The Mahindra XUV 7XO is larger than the Tata Sierra; however, their seating configurations lend them some considerable differences. Moreover, while both the Sierra and XUV 7XO look attractive, the Sierra commands more attention and makes a strong case for itself with its design alone.
Tata Sierra vs Mahindra XUV 7XO: Engine & Transmission
| Tata Sierra | Mahindra XUV 7XO | |
| Engine | 1.5-litre NA petrol engine 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine | 2-litre turbo petrol engine 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine |
| Power | 106 PS (NA petrol) 160 PS (turbo petrol) 118 PS (turbo diesel) | 203 PS (turbo petrol) 185 PS (turbo diesel) |
| Torque | 145 Nm (NA petrol) 255 Nm (turbo petrol) 260 Nm (MT) – 280 Nm (AT) (turbo diesel) | 380 Nm (turbo petrol) 450 Nm (turbo diesel) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual gearbox with NA petrol and turbo diesel engines 7-speed DCT with NA petrol engine 6-speed torque converter automatic with turbo petrol and turbo diesel engines | 6-speed manual gearbox & 6-speed torque converter automatic with both engines |
| Mileage | Up to 18 km/l (petrol) Up to 20 km/l (diesel) | Up to 15 km/l (petrol) Up to 17 km/l (diesel) |
In terms of engine options, the Tata Sierra offers three engines: two petrol engines and one diesel engine, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO offers two engines: one petrol engine and one diesel engine.
The XUV 7XO’s turbo petrol engine is the most powerful in its segment, and it shows in its performance. With the ability to deliver exhilarating performance, the engine is also known for its refinement. While the petrol-powered XUV 7XO delivers peppy performance, its size and weight can be a bit of a killjoy for someone looking to have some fun driving this heavy Indian SUV. All the same, the XUV 7XO’s enjoyable performance comes at the expense of fuel efficiency. Even otherwise, the XUV 7XO turbo-petrol is known to be one of the least fuel-efficient cars in its segment. At the same time, the Sierra’s turbo petrol engine delivers an exciting driving experience. As a matter of fact, the Sierra turbo-petrol is one of the most fun-to-drive cars in its segment. Another highlight of the Sierra’s turbo engine is its commendable refinement, which is seldom said of other Tata engines.
In terms of diesel engines, the XUV 7XO’s is significantly more powerful than the Sierra’s. However, both engines have been on the market for a long time and have been praised for their reliability and performance by diesel engine standards. Although the XUV 7XO’s diesel engine is more refined than the Sierra’s, it is also available with an all-wheel-drive option in the top variant.
The Sierra’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is rather weak and should only be good for someone not expecting their car to accelerate quickly. However, this engine comfortably meets day-to-day driving needs.
While the Mahindra XUV 7XO is significantly more powerful than the Tata Sierra, both (with turbo petrol engines) are quite enjoyable to drive. However, the Sierra’s smaller size gives the driver more confidence at high speeds. Meanwhile, the Sierra’s NA engine is weak, and the XUV’s turbo petrol engine delivers poor mileage.
Tata Sierra vs Mahindra XUV 7XO: Features & Comfort
| Tata Sierra | Mahindra XUV 7XO | |
| Infotainment system | 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system | 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system |
| Music system | 12-speaker JBL sound system | 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system |
| Climate control | Dual-zone Automatic | Dual-zone automatic |
| Ventilated seats | Front ventilated seats | Front and rear ventilated seats |
| Adjustable steering | Tilt and telescopic | Tilt and telescopic |
| Drive modes | Drive modes: Eco, City, Sports Terrain modes: Normal, Wet, Rough | Drive modes (Diesel only): Zip, Zap, Zoom |
| Instrument cluster | 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster | 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster |
| Sunroof | Panoramic sunroof | Panoramic sunroof |
| Adjustable seats (manual or electric) | 6-way powered driver seat with memory function | 6-way powered driver and front passenger seats with memory function for the driver seat |
| Rear AC vents | Available | Available |
| 60:40 rear seat split | Available | (50:50) Available |
| Cruise control | Available | Available |
Both Mahindra and Tata have done a brilliant job in ensuring their SUV feel upmarket and modern on the inside. The Tata Sierra features a clean dashboard clad in quality materials. Interestingly, it gets two different screen layouts. The top Accomplished Plus variant has a triple-screen panel, consisting of a 12.3-inch main touchscreen infotainment display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Whereas the other variants get a separate touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster, with no screen for the front passenger. The second-highest variant, Accomplished, has an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display, which is missing from the top variant with a triple-screen panel.
The Mahindra XUV 7XO also has a triple-screen layout. This triple-screen setup consists of three 12.3-inch screens – one for infotainment, one for the front passenger entertainment, and one for the digital instrument cluster. The premium beige-and-tan interior theme looks suave but is hard to keep clean. Like the Sierra, the XUV 7XO gets gloss black treatment on the centre console. A notable thing with the XUV 7XO is that there is no button on the dashboard. All controls are integrated into the touchscreen; however, some key functions, such as ventilated seats, drive modes, and HVAC, can be operated via shortcut buttons on the centre console.
As far as features go, both Sierra and XUV 7XO pack premium sound systems, powered driver seats, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, and many other upmarket features. However, the XUV 7XO goes a few steps further with ventilated second-row seats, a powered front passenger seat with Boss mode, and two wireless chargers instead of one.
On the inside, both the Mahindra XUV 7XO and the Tata Sierra look and feel premium. However, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is more feature-rich than the Tata Sierra.
Tata Sierra vs Mahindra XUV 7XO: Safety Features
| Tata Sierra | Mahindra XUV 7XO | |
| NCAP Safety Rating | 5-star Bharat NCAP rating | 5-star Bharat NCAP rating |
| Airbags | Six | Six |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| Rain-sensing Wipers | Yes | Yes |
| Hill hold assist | Yes | Yes |
| Hill descent control | No | Yes |
| Rear sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Rear parking camera | 360-degree camera with 180-degree transparent mode | 360-degree camera with 180-degree transparent mode |
| ISOFIX Child seat anchor points | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Level-2 ADAS features | Level-2 ADAS features |
Both Tata Sierra and Mahindra XUV 7XO have been tested by the Bharat NCAP and scored a full 5-star rating, exhibiting their structural integrity and how safe they can be in an unfortunate accident. Moreover, both have more than enough safety features and a Level-2 ADAS safety suite (in top variants). Another common feature is a 540-degree camera, essentially a 360-degree camera with an under-bonnet camera that provides a feed from beneath the SUV, so you can manoeuvre it in tight spaces and avoid potholes, rocks, and curbs.
Both the Tata Sierra and Mahindra XUV 7XO are among the safest cars in India, and offer the highest possible passenger safety.
Tata Sierra vs Mahindra XUV 7XO: Price comparison
| Tata Sierra | Mahindra XUV 7XO | |
| Base variants (Ex-Showroom) | Rs 11.49 – 12.99 lakh | Rs 13.66 – 17.94 lakh |
| Mid variants (Ex-Showroom) | Rs 12.99 – 17.49 lakh | Rs 17.52 – 19.44 lakh |
| Upper mid variants (Ex-Showroom) | Rs 15.29 – 18.49 lakh | Rs 18.48 – 20.40 lakh |
| Top variant | Rs 17.99 – 21.29 lakh | Rs 20.99 – 24.92 lakh |
As can be seen, across variants, Mahindra XUV 7XO is Rs. 2-3 lakh more expensive than the Tata Sierra. However, both justify their prices and deliver almost equal value for their asking prices.
Tata Sierra vs Mahindra XUV 7XO: Which one should you buy
The Tata Sierra is a stunning SUV with impressive space for 5 adults and a large boot. Moreover, with its turbo petrol engine, it delivers an entertaining performance. All things considered, the Sierra has everything a mid-size SUV buyer wants from an SUV of its price tag.
All the same, if you are willing to stretch your budget by Rs. 2 to 3 lakh, the XUV 7XO can be a premium alternative with an extra row that can be tumbled down to make the boot larger when not in use. But it is important to consider that its turbo petrol engine delivers poor fuel efficiency.
Tata Sierra vs Mahindra XUV 7XO: FAQs
Between the Tata Sierra and Mahindra XUV 7XO, which is larger?
The Tata Sierra is 4,340 mm long, 1,841 mm wide, 1,715 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,370 mm. Whereas the Mahindra XUV 7XO is 4,695 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, 1,755 mm tall, and has a 2,750 mm wheelbase. Therefore, the XUV 7XO is 355 mm longer, 49 mm wider, 40 mm taller, and has a 20 mm longer wheelbase compared to the Sierra.
Among the Tata Sierra and Mahindra XUV 7XO, which SUV is more powerful?
The Tata Sierra’s 1.5-litre NA petrol engine produces 106 PS, the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine produces 160 PS, and the 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine produces 118 PS. The Mahindra XUV 7XO’s 2-litre turbo petrol engine produces 203 PS, and the 2.2-litre diesel engine produces 185 PS. Therefore, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is more powerful than the Tata Sierra.
Among the Tata Sierra and the Mahindra XUV 7XO, which offers better sound quality?
The Tata Sierra’s 12-speaker JBL sound system sounds slightly better than the Mahindra XUV 7XO’s 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Between the Tata Sierra and Mahindra XUV 7XO, which one offers a better ride quality?
Both the Tata Sierra and the Mahindra XUV 7XO deliver excellent ride quality.
What types of automatic transmission systems are available in the Tata Sierra and the Mahindra XUV 7XO?
The Tata Sierra offers a 7-speed DCT automatic and a 6-speed torque converter automatic, while the Mahindra XUV 7XO offers a 6-speed torque converter automatic.
