Tata Sierra, Mahindra XEV 9S: 2 big launches in India next week

The Tata Sierra will initially enter the market in ICE avatar.

The final week of November will see two major product introductions in India's SUV market, as Tata Motors prepares to launch the new Sierra on November 25 and Mahindra & Mahindra gears up to bring the XEV 9S electric SUV on November 27. Both models arrive in strategically important segments and bring updated platforms, new cabin technologies and feature-loaded packages aimed at strengthening their respective brands' SUV portfolios.

The 2025 Tata Sierra marks the return of an iconic badge in a modern form and will join Tata's expanding SUV line-up, which currently includes the Punch, Nexon, Curvv, Harrier and Safari. Positioned in the mid-size SUV category, the Sierra enters one of the most competitive segments in the country. This space is dominated by the Hyundai Creta and includes other rivals such as the Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Mahindra Thar Roxx, Tata Curvv, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and MG Astor. Prices for the new Sierra are expected to start at around Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom), with the fully loaded variants likely to go up to about Rs 22 lakh (ex-showroom).

Tata has retained the Sierra's signature three-quarter glass aesthetic but adapted it for modern design and safety requirements. The reinterpreted section now integrates flush glazing, a panoramic roof and a black roof strip to maintain the signature airy feel. The SUV gets all-LED lighting, including a full-width Light Saber LED DRL at the front and a slim LED light bar at the rear. Exterior highlights include 19-inch alloys, flush door handles, prominent rear fenders, black cladding, a clamshell-style tailgate and a floating-roof appearance.

Inside the cabin, Tata has equipped the Sierra with the Theatre Pro multi-screen setup and the Horizon View display configuration shared by the driver and passenger. Premium equipment includes a Sonic Shaft soundbar, a 12-speaker JBL audio system with Dolby Atmos and ambient lighting. Soft-touch materials are used on the dashboard, while the door panels feature a combination of hard and soft plastics. The floating centre console, floating door armrests, auto-dimming IRVM, and wireless charging add to the overall comfort package. The front seats offer ventilation and electric adjustability, with the driver's seat also providing memory presets. Rear passengers benefit from generous legroom, headroom and a flat floor that improves comfort for the middle occupant.

The new Sierra is expected to be offered with three engine choices -- a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre Hyperion direct-injection turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. Manual and automatic transmission options are likely, along with multiple terrain modes and features such as an electronic parking brake with auto hold. The boot space is expected to be around 500 litres, although official figures are yet to be confirmed. Tata will launch the ICE versions first, followed by the electric Sierra early next year.

Two days after Tata's launch, Mahindra will introduce the XEV 9S, its third born electric vehicle (BEV) and its first 7-seater electric SUV. This model follows the BE 6 and the XEV 9e, both launched in November 2024, which have together clocked over 30,000 units in cumulative sales. With the XEV 9S, Mahindra aims to expand its INGLO platform-based EV portfolio further and strengthen its presence in the growing electric SUV market.

The company's teasers highlight an upmarket cabin for the XEV 9S. The model borrows the triple-screen setup from the XEV 9e, consisting of a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment display and a co-passenger screen. It also features a two-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated logo, a panoramic sunroof instead of the fixed glass roof seen on other models, and a centre console layout similar to the XEV 9e. Confirmed features include a Harman Kardon audio system, ventilated and powered front seats with memory, and a powered Boss Mode for the co-driver seat. The XEV 9S benefits from a flat-floor layout and offers sliding second-row seats to maximise cabin flexibility.

Mahindra offers the BE 6 and XEV 9e with 59kWh and 79kWh battery options, and both deliver a combined driving range of more than 500 km. Expectations for the XEV 9S include an even higher real-world range, potentially exceeding 600km, and the possibility of an all-wheel-drive variant. Given that the XEV 9e tops out at Rs 31,25,000 (ex-showroom), the XEV 9S is likely to be priced higher, positioning it as Mahindra's most capable electric SUV yet.