Comparison: Tata Sierra vs MG Hector

SUVs are the most popular cars today, and every carmaker is trying its best to capitalise on the SUV craze. Especially the mid-size SUVs, which have become the most crowded segment, with over ten SUVs from different brands, are seeing the most heated contest. Two of the freshest cars in the segment are the Tata Sierra and the MG Hector facelift. While the Tata Sierra has been a grand and sensational entry into the market, MG did not make much noise about the Hector facelift. Though the Tata Sierra is a 5-seater and the MG Hector is a 5- and 7-seater, both belong to the same price bracket. Both should be on your list if you are looking for a capable SUV for your family in the range of Rs 11 – 20 lakh. To ease the decision for you, in this comparison of the Tata Sierra vs MG Hector, we compare the two on key parameters and determine which one you should buy.

Tata Sierra vs MG Hector: Dimensions & Design

Dimensionally, the Sierra is the largest car in the segment, and its wheelbase is only 11 mm shorter than that of the Tata Harrier, which is the most spacious five-seater car under Rs 50 lakh.  All the same, compared to the MG Hector, which is designed to accommodate seven seats, the Sierra is 359 mm shorter in length, 45 mm shorter in height, has a 20 mm shorter wheelbase, and is 6 mm wider. However, five adults will find ample space for themselves in both the Tata Sierra and the 5-seater MG Hector. Boot space is where the Sierra has the advantage, with 622 litres of space on offer, whereas the 5-seater Hector offers 587 litres and the 7-seater Hector offers 155 litres.

Tata has invested a lot of time and effort in designing the Sierra, and indeed, the designers truly deserve praise, and even a raise for the Sierra is a striking SUV that looks futuristic while maintaining the charm of the original. The Indian mid-size SUV is upright with a boxy silhouette. With a high-set bonnet, it gets a blacked-out front grille section. Now, most cars with a full-width LED bar at the front have some divisions in their LED bars, especially at the corners. But in Sierra, both at the front and rear, the LED bars are single, undivided units. The headlamps are also quite slim, while the fog lamps are placed vertically on the bumper. On the side, Tata has intentionally broadened the B-pillar at the bottom and blackened the top of the rear glass to mimic the distinct curved rear glass of the original Sierra. The rear is more upright than that of any other car in its segment, with a spoiler section that neatly hides the rear wiper. Lower down is the gloss black cladding all around.

Overall, while the new Tata Sierra is claimed to be the rebirth of the iconic Tata Sierra that graced the Indian roads in the 1990s, it looks more inspired by the Range Rover cars, with the upright design, slim LED bars at the front and back, and other design elements.

No doubt, the Tata Sierra is an attention-grabber on roads, but so is the new MG Hector. For the latest Hector, MG has not changed the design much from the previous model. Like the old Hector, the new Hector features a large, imposing chrome grille at the front; however, the new Hector has a honeycomb pattern for the grille that is a nice departure from the diamond pattern on the older model. Meanwhile, the sleek LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) and twin-pod LED headlights are the same as on the old Hector, though the bumper and air dam have been redesigned. In comparison to the Sierra, the Hector has a larger and more dominant road presence, given it is larger and has a large, imposing front grille.

The 5-seater MG Hector is nearly as spacious as the Tata Sierra, and there can be no comparison of the 7-seater MG Hector with the Tata Sierra, given that the Indian SUV is a 5-seater. In terms of appearance, while the Sierra is eye-catching due to an attractive design and the emotional element, the Hector, too, is a head-turner due to its large, dominant road presence.

Tata Sierra vs MG Hector: Engine & Transmission

For now, the MG Hector is available with only a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which generates 170 PS power. Since the SUV is comfort and practicality oriented, this engine delivers a smooth performance that agrees well with comfortable, family-friendly drives. The suspension is also tuned to feel soft and absorb all the bumps; however, this soft suspension throws significant body roll while cornering at high speeds.

In comparison, the Sierra’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine feels more powerful and exciting on the go, complemented by the Sierra’s smaller size. This is a new engine that Tata Motors has developed, and it is called the HYPERION. While it does not feel as sporty as the Volkswagen Taigun’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, for its refinement and performance, it is easily comparable with the Hyundai Creta’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. Meanwhile, what adds to its performance is Aisin’s 6-speed torque-converter automatic and Tata’s brilliant suspension setup that facilitates a fantastic ride and handling. At the same time, the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine can feel underpowered at times, and while the diesel engine is noisier than that of the Hyundai Creta, it gets the job done. Ride quality is Sierra’s another strength; however, unlike the Hector, its great ride quality does not compromise the balance at high speeds.

The MG Hector’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine is built for smooth drives, while the Tata Sierra’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol can challenge the likes of the Hyundai Creta’s turbo petrol engine. Moreover, while both Hector and Sierra offer great ride quality, the Sierra also feels more stable at high speeds.

Tata Sierra vs MG Hector: Features & Comfort

On the inside, both Tata Sierra and MG Hector look and feel premium, but in different ways. In the case of the Tata Sierra, the Indian carmaker has equipped it with their best interior yet. The light colour theme, the modern layout of interiors, and even the fit and finish, which have been the points of concern for Tata for a long time, feel quite premium. The top variant features a three-screen setup that puts Sierra in line with cars like Mahindra XEV 9e and Mahindra XEV 9S, while the four-spoke steering wheel and gloss black touch-sensitive HVAC panel have been borrowed from larger Tata Harrier and Tata Safari.

On the other hand, the MG Hector features the largest screen for the infotainment to be offered in any car in India. Its portrait shape makes it even more special. The dashboard is layered and lends an upmarket vibe, as do the rest of the interiors. Like the Tata Sierra, the Hector comes with a light colour theme on the inside.

In terms of features, both Tata Sierra and MG Hector offer a lot of upmarket features like a panoramic sunroof, a premium sound system, a powered tail gate, ventilated front passenger seats, and more. However, each one offers something which the other misses. For example, the Sierra offers an AR heads-up display (in variants with two screens only) and a dedicated screen for the front passenger, while the MG Hector offers a 4-way powered front passenger seat instead of a manually adjusted one as offered in the Sierra.

Both MG Hector and Tata Sierra feel significantly and nearly equally upmarket on the inside, and offer a host of features to entertain passengers and keep the ride comfortable and convenient.

Tata Sierra vs MG Hector: Safety Features

The MG Hector has not been tested by any NCAP, but it is a pretty heavily built car and packs in a host of safety features. The same is the case with the Tata Sierra. However, the Tata Sierra is expected to undergo the NCAP test soon and score a full 5-star rating in the test.

Tata Sierra vs MG Hector: Price comparison

In terms of prices, the MG Hector is more or less in the same price range as the Tata Sierra, which makes the Hector a better value for money offering, given it offers a larger SUV, more features, and even two extra seats (with the seven-seater).

Tata Sierra vs MG Hector: Which one should you buy

By and large, someone looking for the Tata Sierra will not think of weighing it against the MG Hector, or vice versa. However, to make a sensible choice between the two, it will be important to decide whether you are looking for a 5-seater or a 7-seater. If a 5-seater is what you are looking for, then the Tata Sierra appeals as a better choice. The Sierra is only a 5-seater and does not have a 7-seater derivative like the MG Hector. Therefore, it has been built to drive 5 adults, and its space is optimised to offer maximum room and comfort to five adults. This is the reason it offers a larger boot compared to the Hector. What adds to favouring it is the better ride stability at high speeds and the option of a turbo diesel engine and a naturally aspirated petrol engine, which the Hector does not offer. Moreover, as far as features are concerned, the Sierra is easily on par with the Hector.

At the same time, if you are looking for a 7-seater, the Hector is not only the Hobson’s choice, but also a great value for money offering, given its price range is quite close to the price of the 5-seater Sierra.

Tata Sierra vs MG Hector: FAQs