Tesla has launched a three-row long-wheelbase variant of the Model Y electric crossover in India. Christened the Model Y L, this new variant notably offers seating for up to six occupants, captain seats in the middle row and a stronger powertrain with a higher claimed range. Below, we lay out how the new Tesla Model Y L fares against its entry-level luxury EV rivals, namely the BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV6, BMW iX1 LWB, Volvo EC40 and Mini Countryman Electric on paper.
Tesla Model Y L vs rivals: Dimensions
Larger than rivals in every sense
The Model Y L beats its rivals in every dimension, and the Sealion 7 emerges as the second-biggest EV here overall. Tesla has slightly increased the Model Y L’s ground clearance vis-a-vis the standard wheelbase (SWB) version, though the iX1 LWB still rides the highest in this company. While the alloy wheel size remains unchanged for the Model Y L, it is mostly at par with rivals on this front.
Coming to boot space, Tesla claims a cavernous 2,539-litre cargo capacity for the Model Y L with the second and third rows folded. With all three rows of seating up, the Model Y L has an estimated boot space of 420 litres, which grows to around 1,076 litres with the third row folded, and there’s a 116-litre frunk too. All told, the Model Y L offers significantly higher total cargo capacity than the 5-seater EVs it rivals.
Tesla Model Y L vs rivals: Powertrain and performance
Sealion 7 AWD is the strongest and quickest to 100kph
In addition to the longer body, Tesla has fitted the Model Y L with an 88.2kWh battery pack (85kWh net), which is larger than that of the standard model. It also gets a more powerful dual-motor powertrain, making the Model Y L the first Tesla car to offer AWD in India. While the Model Y L has the biggest battery pack among its rivals, its power output falls a bit short of that of the Sealion 7 AWD.
Regardless, the Model Y L is the second-most powerful EV here by a considerable margin. As for claimed 0-100kph times, it sits roughly in the middle, ranking behind the Sealion 7 AWD and EC40 but well ahead of the iX1 LWB and Countryman Electric.
Tesla Model Y L vs rivals: Range and charging time
Model Y L features the highest WLTP-tested range
^10-80 percent state of charge (SOC)
Thanks to its larger battery pack, the Model Y L widens the WLTP range lead that the standard model already holds over its rivals. The Model Y L’s range is 100km ahead of the EV6’s, which ranks second, and a whopping 221km more than that of the Sealion 7 AWD, which has the lowest WLTP range of 460km here.
Charging speeds are difficult to compare head-to-head, as Tesla has only confirmed that the Model Y L’s battery can be charged at up to 250kW DC and that it can add 288km of range in just 15 minutes. Keeping the Model Y L aside, the EV6 has the lowest 10-80 percent DC charging time, followed by the EC40, Countryman Electric, iX1 LWB and Sealion 7.
Tesla Model Y L vs rivals: Price
Model Y L is more affordable than the top-spec SWB version
Even though the Model Y L is larger, can accommodate more occupants and offers a stronger powertrain with a higher claimed range, it’s impressively priced at around Rs 6 lakh less than the top-spec Model Y Long Range RWD. That makes the Model Y L more affordable than the EV6, the priciest EV here, but costlier than the Sealion 7, Countryman Electric, iX1 LWB and EC40.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.
Uday Singh
Saptarshi Mondal
Rivan RS 
Dipan Sur
