New Renault Duster Vs Tata Sierra: Which Is The More Stylish SUV? Let’s Find Out…

Renault has finally reintroduced the Duster in the Indian market, the car that started the compact SUV segment in 2012. It is back in an all-new avatar, and it brings with it a sharper new design, modern interior layout, new features, and improved cabin space. And with this renewed focus, the Duster is headed straight towards the newly revived Tata Sierra to bring heat into the rivalry and prove why the Duster was once the most loved in this segment. 

The Sierra is one of Tata’s most iconic nameplates, but this time it comes with a more modern yet retro exterior design that pays homage to the original 1991 Sierra, a premium cabin experience, and a feature list that attracts many. 

Both cars come with distinctive styling, but which one of these looks the best? Let’s find that out! 

Dimensions

The Renault Duster and the Tata Sierra both come under the compact SUV segment with very similar sizes. But to find out which one might be the better one, let's have a detailed look at their dimensions: 

The Renault Duster is slightly longer than the Tata Sierra, but overall, it is the Tata Sierra which wins the dimensions section, as it offers more width, height, and wheelbase, which makes for a bigger footprint. A big size on the outside also translates to a more roomy and spacious cabin experience. 

Front

Starting off with the new Renault Duster’s front profile, it gets an imposing stance with many muscular elements along with a high bonnet that has been given a sculpted look to match the tough theme. The centre houses a large gloss-black grille, with ‘DUSTER’ lettering instead of the Renault logo, which shows how big a brand the ‘Duster’ name is. Combining with the grille are LED headlamps with a sleek DRL signature. What also grabs attention at the front is a chunky skid plate finished in silver. The front bumper gets sharp lines, vertical cut-outs on both side edges, and a massive lower air dam as well. The lower part of the bumper also houses the foglights and front parking sensors. 

The Tata Sierra’s front profile, on the other hand, looks more simplistic and elegant with a strong, upright, and muscular stance, combined with a raised bonnet. Up front, the entire look is dominated by a broad grille in piano black finishing, which also houses the slim LED headlights with connected DRLs, front camera, and the “SIERRA” branding. The bottom end of the bumper houses the foglights and gloss black inserts, along with a skid plate and front parking sensors. 

Side

From the side, the new Renault Duster’s silhouette shows a sporty look with the SUV's squared-off stance. It gets thick body cladding that runs throughout the car, along with tall roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, and muscular haunches. The rear door handle has been placed behind the window for a cleaner look. The car sits on stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, which further improve the overall aesthetic.  

On the side of the Tata Sierra, the first thing that will grab your attention is the blacked-out C-pillar and squared rear window to mimic the original Sierra. The silhouette of the car follows a rugged SUV stance and pays homage to the original 1991 Sierra with its boxy shape. This look is further enhanced by large wheel arches, body claddings, a panoramic sunroof, and flush door handles for a modern touch. The Sierra rides on bigger 19-inch alloy wheels. 

Rear

Moving to the rear profile of the Renault Duster, it follows a very minimalistic theme with simpler elements. It gets a new connected LED lighting strip, which also flows into the ‘C-shaped’ taillights, which also have a clear lens effect. The tailgate houses a black applique and the Duster badging, while the bumper gets thick cladding and sharp elements along with a chunky silver skid plate. Adding further to the rear look is a sharply raked rear windshield and a large integrated roof spoiler. 

The rear-end of the Tata Sierra is relatively more minimalistic with a flat tailgate. The design is very squared off and is completed by a raised bumper finished in gloss black, a skid plate, a short rear overhang and slim connected taillights. Overall, the rear design of the Sierra is very futuristic with minimal use of flashy elements. 

ZigSays… 

Both the Duster and Sierra are built to cater to a very similar audience base. The Duster has always been a rugged SUV with its raw and rugged stance, but this time around, Renault has offered it with sharper styling, premium feel with a touch of sportiness and a familiar sense of everyday usability. The Sierra, on the other hand, focuses on offering a strong character with its retro-inspired design and long list of features that add to the premium appeal of the car. One major plus point with Sierra is the availability of a diesel engine, but to tackle this, the Duster will also be available with a strong hybrid powertrain. 

Buyers will now have two very strong options to choose from, and the final choice will, however, come down to whether you prefer Renault’s bold new identity, with a name tag that started the segment or Tata’s attempt to offer a sophisticated touch of premiumness without diverting from offering an old-school SUV experience. 

Which one of these two SUVs do you like more? Let us know in the comments below!