With your budget set at Rs 17 lakh, we would advise you to go with the new Kia Seltos as it is a great all-rounder. Also, you would get a mid-spec car like the petrol manual HTK(O), which, besides the basics, would also get you a few niceties. The petrol engine is also a good performer, delivering a good blend of performance, refinement and efficiency. The lower spec Tata Sierra, on the other hand, will come with the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine. It is a very sluggish performer, and while the Mahindra XUV 7XO will deliver on this front, it would not be as efficient as the Kia.

Yes, if you are very unsure about your driving, then a used car would be better. You could look at a Maruti Celerio, which is a compact car and has very light controls. The view outside is also good, so getting familiar with driving will be easy in this car. However, if you think you will get confident pretty soon, then yes, a Maruti Baleno will be just fine, or we would suggest you look at the Fronx. It is essentially based on the Baleno, so you will get the same amount of interior space. Moreover, you will get the same powertrain but with a lifted body and better ground clearance, which will help you in case your drives to the hills involve some bad roads.

You wouldn't find a C or mid-size SUV with all of your requirements (especially level 2 ADAS) for under Rs 20 lakh. But if you can stretch it a bit, we would recommend the Kia Seltos HTX (A) variant. This would be just over your budget but will meet with all your requirements of ADAS level 2, a 360-degree camera, and good speakers (Bose). Moreover, it's an easy enough car to drive, and the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine coupled to the CVT gearbox works very well, especially in low and moderate city traffic. If you must stick within your budget, then opt for the Mahindra 3XO, which will meet all of your requirements, too.

The two cars which you are considering, the Mahindra XEV 9E and Tata Sierra Turbo-petrol, overlap in terms of pricing. Hence, the decision-making of whether to go for one or another is purely based on your personal choice. An XEV 9E is larger in size, has a large battery and strong motor, and it will deliver a more enjoyable drive experience, being quicker, smoother and quieter. Your running costs will be significantly lower than those of an ICE vehicle, even more so if you charge your car at your residence/office. At a similar price, you are likely to get a lower or mid-level variant (after discounts) of the XEV 9E. They are well-equipped but will have a few, feel-good features missing, compared to the top-spec Sierra. Moreover, with the bigger battery, the Mahindra's real-world range of over 400km is very impressive too. Its charging speeds are very quick, too, adding to the peace of mind for highway drives. Hence, if you are open to EVs, the XEV 9E is the one to go for.