Which Tesla Model Y variant should you buy?

The Tesla Model Y is the American company’s first and only EV on sale in India. It is offered in standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and long-wheelbase all-wheel-drive (AWD) guises, with varying range figures, features and, of course, prices. The Model Y has been a strong seller in overseas markets, and if you are considering adding one to your garage, choosing the right variant is important. Here is a closer look at what each Model Y variant offers and which one is the better buy.

Tesla Model Y price list

Tesla Model Y dimensions

The RWD Model Y variants – Premium and Premium Long Range – are identical in overall size. However, this changes with the Premium L AWD, which is 179mm longer, 44mm taller and has a 150mm longer wheelbase. Its ground clearance is also marginally higher by 2mm.

All three variants come with 19-inch wheels, so there is no difference there. Seating capacity is where the Model Y L AWD also stands apart, as it is the only variant to offer a six-seat layout, while the others are five-seaters.

Tesla Model Y range

Both the Model Y Long Range and the Model Y L support up to 250kW charging speed. The bigger battery in the Model Y L gives it the longer range of the two, at 681km, which is 20km more than the Long Range version. It also adds a little more range in a 15-minute charging top-up. Performance is stronger as well, with Tesla claiming a 0-100kph time of 5 seconds for the Model Y L compared with 5.6 seconds for the Long Range.

At the lower end, the Model Y RWD gets the smallest battery – 63kWh – in the line-up. It also has the lowest WLTP-rated range at 500km. Performance is relatively slower, too, with a claimed 0-100kph time of 5.9 seconds. Its maximum charging speed is also lower at 175kW.

Tesla Model Y colours

When it comes to the Tesla Model Y colours, there are six to choose from. Only Stealth Grey is standard, while the rest are paid options: Pearl White (Rs 95,000), Diamond Black (Rs 95,000), Glacier Blue (Rs 1.25 lakh), Ultra Red (Rs 1.85 lakh) and Cosmic Silver (Rs 1.85 lakh).

Tesla Model Y variant-wise feature list

Premium RWD

Rs 59.89 lakh

• 9 airbags
• ADAS
• 8 exterior cameras
• Dashcam
• Frunk
• Connected headlights and tail-lights
• 19-inch wheels with aero caps
• Flush-fitting door handles
• Powered tailgate
• 5 seats
• 16-inch front touchscreen
• 9 speakers
• Heated steering and windshield
• Glass roof
• Electrically adjustable AC vents
• Air filter
• Powered front seats with recline, tilt, heating and ventilation
• Powered folding second-row seats with heating
• Ambient lighting
• Aluminium detailing on trims
• 8-inch second-row touchscreen
• Multilink suspension with frequency-dependent damping

Premium Long Range RWD

Rs 67.89 lakh

Same as Premium RWD

Premium L AWD

Rs 61.99 lakh

Over Premium Long Range RWD

• 6-seater
• Thigh extension for front seats
• 9 speakers (total 18)
• 1 subwoofer
• Second-row captain seats with armrests
• Powered folding third-row seats
• Multilink suspension with electronic damping shocks

Which Tesla Model Y variant should you buy?

Considering all of the above, the Tesla Model Y L Premium AWD is the variant to go for. It adds more features, a third row and a dual-motor AWD setup; yet Tesla has priced it quite aggressively. It costs just Rs 2.1 lakh more than the base Premium RWD variant and is Rs 5.9 lakh more affordable than the Premium Long Range RWD.

It also makes the strongest case on practicality and performance. Its longer wheelbase and bigger overall size should mean a roomier cabin, while the 681km WLTP range is the highest in the line-up. It’s also the quickest, with a claimed 0-100kph time of 5 seconds.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.