Tesla Model Y vs rivals: Price, specifications comparison

Tesla India has finally announced prices for its first offering in India, the Model Y, and inaugurated its first showroom in the country in Mumbai. With a Rs 59.89 lakh to Rs 67.89 lakh price range, the Model Y directly takes on entry-level luxury EVs like the BYD Sealion 7, Mercedes EQA, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, BMW iX1 LWB, Mini Countryman Electric and Volvo’s EX40 SUV and C40 coupe-SUV. Without further ado, let’s see how the Model Y fares against its rivals on paper.

Tesla Model Y exterior dimensions and size vs rivals

It is wider than rivals and has more storage

The Sealion 7 is the longest e-SUV here by a 40mm margin, though it’s the Ioniq 5 that has the longest wheelbase at 3,000mm, the highest ground clearance, and the largest wheels and thickest tyres. The Model Y is the widest of the lot – 57mm wider than the BYD, which is next in line – and has the most boot and frunk space by a significant amount.  

The two Volvos and the Countryman Electric are the smallest of the lot, though the EQA is the narrowest entry-level luxury EV and has the smallest boot. It should be noted that the Mercedes EV’s 137mm ground clearance is comparable to the Tesla Model Y’s laden figure of 138mm. Other notables include the iX1 LWB having the smallest wheels and tyres, the EV6 being the shortest, and the EX40 and EC40 having a frunk despite being ICE conversions.  

Tesla Model Y battery, powertrain and performance vs rivals

BYD Sealion 7 AWD is the most powerful and has the quickest 0-100kph time

The Kia EV6 has the largest battery pack here, leading the Sealion 7; both have capacities over 80kWh. The Tesla comes with a smaller 64kWh and 78.1kWh battery options, with the former fallin g short of the BMW iX1 and the Mini Countryman EV. which share the same 66.5kWh unit. Note that the EQA’s battery capacity is a net figure and is likely to be comparable to the Ioniq 5, EC40 or Model Y Long range's gross capacity. 

Speaking of the Volvo coupe-SUV, the EC40 has the second quickest claimed 0-100kph time – just 2 seconds shy of the Sealion 7 Performance (AWD), the most powerful EV here – beating the Model Y Long Range by 0.5 seconds. All the front-wheel-drive models in this comparison – the BMW, Mercedes and Mini – are the slowest in the claimed 0-100kph sprint, with the EQA also having the least amount of power in the comparison. Among the rear-wheel-drive models, the Sealion 7 is marginally more powerful than the Model Y, but the Tesla’s 5.9 second 0-100kph time is a significant 0.8 seconds quicker.

Tesla Model Y range and charging time vs rivals

Model Y Long Range has the highest WLTP range figure

Based on the WLTP range tests, the Model Y Long Range can go the furthest on a single charge, with a figure of 622km. Despite having a smaller battery, the Model Y Standard Range’s 500km range is more than that of the Volvo EX40 and Mini Countryman Electric. The BYD’s larger battery size does not help its case as much in terms of range, as the EQA and EC40 have a higher WLTP rating. Of the MIDC-rated models, the Kia EV6 has the longest range; the MIDC figure is usually higher than the WLTP one and not comparable. 

Tesla claims the Model Y can gain 238km of range with just 15 minutes on a DC fast charger, which extrapolates to a 10-80 percent charge in about 30 minutes. The Korean brands’ EVs have the quickest claimed charging times here, while the Sealion 7’s 82.56kWh battery takes the longest to go from 10 percent to 80 percent state of charge (SOC).

Tesla Model Y price vs rivals

Model Y Long Range is the most expensive model here

The Tesla Model Y Long Range has the highest asking price, followed by the Mercedes EQA and the Kia EV6. The Model Y Standard Range’s price tag is comparable to the Sealion 7 AWD, Volvo EC40 and the top-spec Countryman Electric variants. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the most affordable EV here, and the entry-level Sealion 7 Premium and BMW iX1 LWB both duck under the Rs 50 lakh mark. 

On paper, the Tesla Model Y does seem to offer more space and longer range than its rivals, with comparable performance. But that comes with a premium price tag, even for the entry-level luxury segment. 

All prices, ex-showroom, India

Also see:

Tesla Model Y image gallery

Tesla India showroom and Model Y walkaround video

Tesla Model Y India price for colours and options revealed