Complete Buying Guide: Tesla Model Y

Tesla has begun its journey with a bang! Launching its best-selling car, Tesla Model Y, the illustrious electric car manufacturer has set off ripples in the Indian automobile market. The Tesla Model Y will be imported into India as CBUs (Completely built units). All over the world, Tesla cars are well-acclaimed for their futuristic character, which includes autonomous driving, and so is the case with the Tesla Model Y. So, should you buy one? We answer this question with this complete buying guide for the Tesla Model Y, explaining why you should buy it and why you should not, and the best variant for you.

Tesla Model Y Specifications

Note: While the Tesla India website does not mention the size of Model Y’s battery packs, internationally, the standard Rear-wheel drive variant comes with a 63 kWh battery, and the Long-Range Rear-wheel drive variant comes with an 83 kWh battery.

Tesla Model Y Variants

Best Tesla Model Y Variant to Buy

The main difference between the two variants of the Tesla Model Y lies in the size of the battery packs and their driving range. Other than that, both variants offer the same features. So, depending on your use case, you choose between the Model Y Rear-wheel drive, which offers a claimed range of 500 km and the Long Range Rear-wheel drive, which offers 622 km range.

Tesla Model Y Warranty and Service Cost

On the Tesla Model Y, Tesla is offering a 4-year or 80,000 km warranty, whichever is earlier. Meanwhile, specifically on the battery and drive unit, Tesla is offering an 8-year or 1,92,000 km warranty, whichever is earlier. Moreover, to learn about the warranty offered on other parts and service costs of the Tesla Model Y, you should contact the Tesla showroom. Tesla has opened its first showroom in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex area.

Why you should consider the Tesla Model Y

While there can be plenty of reasons you want to buy a Tesla Model Y, there are some that stand out. Let’s look at some of the main attractions of the Tesla Model Y.

Novelty Factor

Tesla is not just another electric car brand. It is the most famous electric car brand and is owned by one of the esteemed celebrities across the globe, Elon Musk. Owning a Tesla car will make you stand out among your peers. Moreover, a Tesla car is instantly recognisable as a Tesla car, thanks to its absolutely minimalist design, especially its unique fastback silhouette and the glass roof that extends till the tailgate. Even on the inside, modernity and minimalism are at their peak, as a giant touchscreen graces the dashboard, and it is the only thing there, as almost every control is digitised and can be operated through the touchscreen. Even the AC vents are concealed within the dashboard and are electronically operated.

High on tech

Tesla cars are known for being high on tech, and the Tesla Model Y is no exception. This American electric SUV offers an attractive pack of upmarket features, for example, powered, heated, and ventilated seats, powered tailgate with hands-free opening, two wireless chargers, powered rear seat recline, heated steering and windshield, a dashcam, eight exterior cameras, and many others. The rear passengers also get the facility of an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment, which can be used for various controls and entertainment with many digital video games.

A key trademark feature of the Tesla Model Y, and or many other Tesla cars, is autonomous self-driving. This feature uses multiple radars and cameras to guide and drive the car on its own; however, it requires your active supervision. With the Tesla Model Y, you can own this feature for an additional Rs. 6 lakh. All the same, you will not be able to use this feature right away because, for now, it requires regulatory approval.

At the same time, it is important to mention that globally, Tesla cars are known for their fantastic suspension. However, it remains to be seen how well the Tesla Model Y’s suspension performs on Indian roads.

Tesla’s supercharger network

Along with offering cutting-edge technology, Tesla makes sure that their customers enjoy convenient Tesla car ownership. All over the world, Tesla has set up a spate of superchargers. In India, Tesla will set up 16 superchargers, and the first 8 will be set up in Mumbai and Delhi. With Tesla’s supercharger, the Tesla Model Y Long Range battery can be topped off with up to 267km of range in just 15 minutes at the rate of 250 kWh.  

Why you should not consider the Tesla Model Y

With many reasons to buy a Tesla Model Y, there are some that may make your step back and look for another electric car. Here are a couple of those.

Are you ready for it?

This is the question you would need to ask yourself once you examine the Tesla Model Y physically. In typical Tesla fashion, the Tesla Model Y’s interior is extremely minimal, with almost every control in the touchscreen. In Indian driving conditions, most find more comfort in getting used to the physical buttons and operating them with muscle memory, without having to take their eyes off the road ahead. While, in recent years, most automakers have adopted the trend of integrating many controls in the touchscreen and many cars offer such an arrangement, for example, the BYD Sealion, most Indians still prefer physical buttons to digital ones. Moreover, Tesla cars are known for over-the-air updates of their features, which means the technicalities of features keep changing with time, and you would repeatedly need to get familiar with digital controls on the touchscreen infotainment.

With Novelty comes Unfamiliarity

While Tesla Motors is one of the most successful electric car manufacturers, that does not necessarily mean it will find success in India. Earlier, the American electric car manufacturer had hinted that they might open their manufacturing plants in India, but later clarified that it is not interested in manufacturing in India. The Tesla Model Y will be a fully imported vehicle, and Tesla has not revealed any information about its after-sales services, which is a key checkpoint for any buyer. Whereas, its upcoming rival EV brand, VinFast Auto India, has already signed a strategic collaboration with myTVS to establish 120 Extended Service Workshops nationwide to ensure a strong after-sales support to its customers. So, before buying a Tesla Model Y, it would be wise to confirm what kind of after-sales support you would get.

Rs. 6 lakh Premium for Autopilot

While the Tesla Model Y is a significantly expensive car, its most special feature, autonomous driving or full self-driving or autopilot, comes at an additional premium of Rs 6 lakh, which makes it even more expensive, and this can be concerning for some buyers. Moreover, even after paying Rs 6 lakh premium, someone who wants to enjoy a Tesla car’s trademark feature first will have to wait for government approval.

Uncertainty related to the supercharger network

Tesla has confirmed that they will set up 16 superchargers, with eight initial ones coming up in and around Mumbai and Delhi. However, this number of superchargers does not seem to be enough for metro cities in India. And if you own a Tesla car and do not easily get access to a Tesla’s supercharger, you may as well buy an electric car of any other brand.

Summary

Tesla’s arrival in India is a big event for sure, but how it will fare in the Indian market only time can tell. For now, you have the Tesla Model Y in the market to get the taste of one of the most renowned electric car brands in the world. Owning a Tesla Model Y will make you stand out from the crowd and allow you to enjoy the famed futuristic character of Tesla cars. At the same time, while physically examining the Tesla Model Y, it will be wise to familiarise yourself well with the electric SUV and learn how minimalist its interior is. Moreover, do check what kind of after-sales support you will get and how you will be charging your Tesla Model Y.

FAQ

What are the most premium features of the Tesla Model Y?

The most premium features of the Tesla Model Y include a panoramic glass roof, powered, heated, and ventilated seats, powered tailgate with hands-free opening, two wireless chargers, powered rear seat recline, heated steering and windshield, a dashcam, eight exterior cameras, Level-2 ADAS safety suite, and more. The rear passengers also get the facility of an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment, which can be used for various controls and entertainment with many digital video games.

What are the dimensions of the Tesla Model Y?

The Tesla Model Y is 4,790 mm long, 2,129 mm wide (extended mirrors), 1,982 mm wide (folded mirrors), 1,624 mm tall, and offers a wheelbase of 2,890 mm. Moreover, it rides 167 mm higher from the ground, and offers 938 litres of boot space with the second row, 2,138 litres with the second row folded down, and 116-litre frunk.

In which colours is the Tesla Model Y available?

The Tesla Model Y is available in the following colour schemes: Diamond Black, Pearl White Multi Coat, Ultra Red, Deep Blue Metallic, Stealth Grey and Quicksilver.