India, Dec. 19 -- When the Tata Sierra first appeared in the early 1990s, it stood apart from anything else on Indian roads. It was one of the country's first lifestyle SUVs, offering three doors, large glass windows and a sense of modernity that felt ahead of its time.

While it never sold in big numbers, the Sierra became a symbol of what an Indian carmaker could attempt, even if the market wasn't ready. The Sierra back then was unreliable, not ready for the market either.

More than three decades on, Tata Motors has revived the name in different circumstances. Tata is now an established SUV player, with the Nexon Punch, Harrier and Safari. The new Sierra, then, isn't about experimentation. It's about delivering a well-rounded midsize S...