Tata Sierra and Maruti Escudo - Two Upcoming SUVs to Challenge Creta Dominance

Two brand new midsize SUVs are set to arrive in our market during festival season. Both SUVs will come as a direct rival to the country’s best-selling mid-sized SUV - the Hyundai Creta. While Maruti Suzuki will launch the Escudo on September 3, Tata Motors will bring back the iconic Sierra nameplate in India. Let’s talk about these two products in details - 

Maruti Suzuki Escudo

Maruti Suzuki will launch an all-new mid-sized SUV based on the Suzuki’s Global-C architecture. The SUV will be exclusively sold as a flagship ARENA model and will rival the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and others in the category. 

The Maruti Escudo will come with several high-end features such as LEVEL 2 ADAS, powered tailgate, Dobly Atmos audio technology for immersive sound experience, and powered driver’s seat with ventilation. The SUV will also get 4WD (Four-Wheel-Drive) system, which will target adventure lovers. Adding to it, the SUV will be the first model to feature underbody CNG tank. This allows Maruti Suzuki owners to create bigger boot space. 

The new Suzuki Escudo will be offered with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with an e-CVT. The hybrid version is likely to offer a mileage of over 27kmpl. 

Tata Sierra

Tata Motors will introduce the Sierra lifestyle SUV as its second contender in the midsize SUV category. The SUV will measure around 4.3 meters in length and will be marketed as a lifestyle model. The electric version of the SUV will arrive first in our market by festive season, before Diwali. Its ICE version is expected to be introduced before the end of this year or early next year.

The Tata Sierra carries boxy design with rugged elements, and looks significantly bigger than the competition. The Tata Sierra will be the first Tata model to offer a triple screen layout dominating the dashboard. The triple screen layout comprising infotainment unit, digital driver’s display and a co-passenger’s entertainment screen. 

Other features could include multi-colour ambient lighting, powered front seats with ventilation, wireless phone charger, panoramic sunroof, premium JBL sound system with Dolby Atmos, HUD and Built-in dash cam. It will also get LEVEL 2 ADAS, 6 airbags, ESP, traction control, hill launch and descent control. 

The new Tata Sierra will mark the debut of brand’s new 1.5L, 4-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol engine. It will also get a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol and 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines. The SUV could also get a new 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine that also powers the Nexon and Curvv. The electric version is likely to share the 65kWh and 75kWh LFP batteries with the new Harrier EV. The SUV is expected to offer a realistic range of up to 500km on a single charge.

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