Model Y vs. Competition: Table Of Content
After years of rumors and speculation, American automaker Tesla has finally entered the Indian market with its Model Y EV. The company already has a major EV market share in global markets, but the Indian automotive landscape presents a unique set of challenges, starting with an ever-growing class of competitors like the Kia, BYD, Volvo, BMW, Hyundai, and the indigenous brands like Mahindra and Tata (although they aren’t available in the same segment as the Model Y).
In this article, we’ll try to figure out how the Tesla Model Y stacks up against the available options in its segment. Given that the vehicle is priced at Rs. 59.89 lakhs for the entry-level variant with a smaller battery pack, it competes with premium options available in the market, including the Kia EV6, the BYD Sealion 7, and others. Without any further ado, let’s begin with the comparison.
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Tesla Model Y vs. Competition: Key Specs Comparison
| Tesla Model Y | 2025 Kia EV6 | BYD Sealion 7 | Volvo C40 | BMW iX1 LWB | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Mahindra BE 6 | Tata Harrier EV | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4,790 x 1,932 x 1,624 mm | 4,695 x 1,890 x 1,570 mm | 4,830 x 1,925 x 1,620 mm | 4,440 x 1,873 x 1,591 mm | 4,616 x 1,845 x 1,612 mm | 4,635 x 1,890 x 1,625 mm | 4,371 x 1,907 x 1,627 mm | 4,607 x 1,922 x 1,740 mm |
| Boot Capacity | 822 liters (117 liters frunk) | 480 liters (20 liters frunk) | 500 liters | 413 liters | 490 liters | 520 litres | 455 liters | 502 liters |
| Ground Clearance | 167 mm | 178 mm | 145 mm | 171 mm | 175 mm (laden), 190mm (unladen) | 163 mm (laden) | 207 mm | 205 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,890 mm | 2,900 mm | 2,930 mm | 2,702 mm | 2,800 mm | 3,000 mm | 2775 mm | 2741 mm |
| Weight (Kerb/Gross) | Up to 2,850 kg | – | 2,340/2,750 kg | 2,045/2,620 kg | – | 1,830/2,430 kg | 2,415 kg | 2,336 kg |
| Battery Pack | 60 kWh & 75 kWh (unofficial) | 84 kWh | 82.5 kWh | 78 kWh | 66.4 kWh | 72.6 kWh | 59 kWh / 79 kWh | 65 kWh / 75 kWh |
| Battery Warranty | 8 years / 1.92 lakh km | 8 years / 1.6 lakh km | 8 years / 1.6 lakh km | 8 years / 1.6 lakh km | 8 years / 1.6 lakh km | 8 years / 1.6 lakh km | Lifetime warranty for the first owner | Lifetime warranty for the first owner |
| Motor | Standard: 295 bhp and 420 Nm Long-Range: 340 bhp and 450 Nm | AWD: Two motors with 325 hp and 605 Nm | RWD: 313 PS and 380 Nm AWD: Two motors with 530 PS and 690 Nm | AWD: 402bhp and 660 Nm | FWD: 201 bhp, 250 Nm | RWD: 217 PS, 350 Nm | 231 PS / 380 Nm, 286 PS / 380 Nm | RWD – up to 238 PS / AWD – up to 313 PS, 504 Nm |
| Claimed Range | SRWD: 500 km LRRWD: 622 km | AWD: 581 km | RWD: 567 km AWD: 542 km | AWD: 530 km | FWD: 531 km | RWD: 631 km | 556 / 682 km | RWD: 538 km RWD (75 kWh): 627 km AWD (75 kWh): 622 km |
| Battery Type | LFP | NMC | LFP; Blade technology | LFP | NMC | NMC | LFP | LFP |
| Charging Rate And Time | Supercharging Max/Payment Type 250 kW Max; Pay Per Use Up to 267 km added in 15 minutes | DC Charging: 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes using a 350 kW charger, 73 minutes with a 50 kW charger | DC Charging: 150 kW AC Charging: 11 kW Complementary home charging kit: Yes | DC Charging: charging time of 28 minutes with a 200kW charger, 60 minutes with a 50 kWh charger | DC Charging: 10 to 80% with a 130 kW charger AC Charging: 0 to 100% in six hours and 30 minutes via 11 kW charger | DC Charging: 18 minutes via a 350 kW charger, 57 minutes with a 50 kW charger AC Charging: six hours and 55 minutes | DC – 20 to 80% in 20 minutes AC Charging: 7.2kW (aroudn 12 hours) or 11.2Kw (around six hours) from wall charger for the 59 kWh battery | 120 kW DC fast charging – 20 to 80% in 25 minutes, 250 km of range in 15 minutes 7.2 kW AC charger – 10 to 100% in about 10.7 hours |
| Tyre Size | 255/45R19 | 235/55 R19 | 235/50 R19 (F) – 255/45 R19 (R), 245/45 R20 | 235/50 R19 (F) – 255/45 R19 | 225/55 R18 with 124 mm sidewall height | 255 / 45 R20 | 245/55 R19, 20-inch rims optional | Up to 19-inch alloy wheels |
Also Read: Mahindra Thar EV Coming Next Month: Here’s What To Expect
Tesla Model Y vs. Competition: Key Takeaways
Before we begin the comparison, it’s worth mentioning that the Mahindra BE 6 and the Tata Harrier EV aren’t the direct competitors of the Tesla Model Y. However, we’ve included them in the comparison to give our readers an idea of how Indian automakers are performing compared to global brands. With that out of the way, let’s get started.
- The BYD Sealion 7 is the longest (4,830 mm) among all the vehicles. However, the Tesla Model Y is the widest (1,932 mm). While the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the tallest among the primary competitors, the Tata Harrier is considerably taller than all the other vehicles.
- When it comes to wheelbase, the Ioniq 5 has the longest wheelbase of all (3,000 mm), followed by the BYD Sealion 7 (2,930 mm), and the Kia EV6 (2,900 mm).
- While the Hyundai Ioniq 5 had the largest boot space in the comparison before the Model Y was introduced, the Tesla EV has set a new standard in terms of boot space, as it features an 822-liter boot.
- Between the primary competitors, the BMW iX1 LWB offers the highest unloaded ground clearance (190 mm), followed by the Kia EV6 (178 mm). The Model Y comes in third (167 mm). Both the Indian EVs offer a higher ground clearance (since they’re electric SUVs).
- The Ioniq 5 has the longest wheelbase (3,000 mm), followed by the Sealion 7 (2,930 mm) and the Kia EV 6 (2,900 mm) .
- Although you don’t get the largest battery pack on the Model Y, its Long-Range RWD model (with a 75 KWh battery pack) offers one of the highest claimed ranges in the segment (622 km, second to Ioniq’s 631 km).
- Although we aren’t aware of the real-world range, buyers should expect around 500 kilometers of range between charges. The Standard variant (with the smaller battery pack) should offer around 400 km of real-world range.
- Elsewhere, the Mahindra BE 6 claims a claimed range of 682 km with the larger battery pack, but owners have reportedly achieved 450 to 550 km in real-world conditions.
- For enthusiasts, the Sealion 7 offers the most power with its AWD variant, which produces 530 PS of peak power and 690 Nm of peak torque, paired with an 82.5 kWh battery pack. Besides the Sealion 7, only the Kia EV6 and Volvo C40 offer an AWD powertrain. Globally, the Model Y is available in the AWD configuration, but it is not clear when (or whether) Tesla will launch the variant in India.
- While the Volvo C40 comes in second in terms of power (402 bhp / 660 Nm), the Model Y’s long-range variant comes in third (340 bhp / 450 Nm).
- It appears that the Model Y supports the fastest DC charging speed of all the cars (250 kW). However, that should be available via the company’s first-party chargers, and the company has just announced its plans to install a few of those in Mumbai (and later, Delhi).
Also Read: Upcoming Cars In July 2025: Mahindra XUV 3XO Update, Kia Clavis EV, & BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
Tesla Model Y vs. Competition: Starting Price
| Tesla Model Y | 2025 Kia EV6 | BYD Sealion 7 | Volvo C40 | BMW iX1 LWB | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Mahindra BE 6 | Tata Harrier EV | |
| Starting Price (Ex-Showroom) | Rs. 59.89 lakhs | Rs. 65.5 lakhs | Rs. 48.90 lakhs | Rs. 62.95 lakhs | Rs. 49 lakhs | Rs. 46.05 lakhs | Rs. 18.90 lakhs | Rs. 21.49 lakhs |
The Tesla Model Y is certainly not the most affordable EV in its segment. The vehicle’s price is almost twice what it sells for globally due to the import duty imposed by the Indian government (and other taxes). If and when Tesla starts manufacturing the EV in India, it may be able to reduce the price dramatically, allowing more potential buyers to consider and purchase the EV. Given that the company has only one experience center in BKC, Mumbai, the Model Y could be a good bargain for someone living in the city.
While the full self-driving feature isn’t yet available in India, the company plans to release it in the future. Those interested in using the feature must pay an add-on fee of Rs. 6 lakhs at the time of purchase.
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