Tesla Model Y in India comes in three variants: Model Y RWD Standard(60kwh), Model Y RWD Long Range(75kwh), and Model Y L AWD(88kwh) .

The Model Y RWD Standard has an LFP battery pack, makes 295 hp and 420 Nm of torque, and can do 0–100 km/h in Tesla’s claimed 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 200 km/h.

The RWD Long Range version has a more energy-dense NMC battery pack with 335 hp and 420 Nm, and is 0.3 seconds faster at 5.6 seconds to 100 km/h.

The top-of-the-line Model Y AWD Long Range comes with dual-motor AWD tech, making 450 hp and 493 Nm, and does 0–100 km/h in 5.0 seconds flat. It also comes with adaptive and independent suspension 

This is again different for all three variants. The base Model Y RWD in India, with its 60 kWh LFP pack, can add 238 km of range in 15 minutes as per Tesla, and is limited to 175 kW of maximum charging speed.

The Model Y Long Range version can take up to 250 kW of charge and can add 267 km of range in 15 minutes. The first one has 500 km of claimed range, while the LR version has 660 km of WLTP range. WLTP is more stringent and reliable than ARAI, so achieving these figures is quite possible.

The top-of-the-line Model Y AWD Long Range has a claimed range of 681 km, and in just 15 minutes it can add 288 km worth of charge.

You can also get a Tesla wall connector to charge at home, but it is a paid service and will cost about ₹50,000–₹60,000 extra.

The Model Y has two interior options: black and white. The launch version I sat in had the white interior, which was almost ₹95,000 extra, the representative told me at Tesla Aerocity. I was like, okay, I mean if someone is buying this car, 95k is nothing for them.

But then I realized that the material in both cases, black and white, is fake leather. In a 70 lakh car? Anyways, I momentarily ignored that quickly jumped in the Tesla; it was simply stunning and cold. By cold, I mean that it all felt very clinical.

Tesla has intentionally kept the colours, contrast, and patterns to a minimum to keep costs low in exchange for a minimalist ambience and easy upkeep.

I got in the rear seats first, and the very first thing I appreciated was how tidy and clean the overall layout was, even for the back. The red ambient light, as you can see in the images above, was not blinding at all very tastefully done. 

The armrests were electrically operated and retracted inside if you wanted to tumble down the middle row to make room for nearly 2,500 liters of boot space.

The speakers, I read in the brochure, were invisible; the long wheelbase version Model Y came with 19 speakers good luck finding and counting them. 

Sadly, I could not hear an audio sample as more people were also recording. 

After sitting in the white interior, the extremely massive glass roof of the Model Y was the second biggest awe factor. Tesla claims it has infrared and UV protection, which I think only a review will tell if it works or not. I read somewhere that Tesla’s glass structure is stronger than steel on many cars, very, very impressive engineering indeed.

I peeked back and check out the third row seats, which were big enough for anyone till 5 ft 7 inches. Bear in mind you cannot sit in them all day though, they are a bit cramped but do come with a couple of bottle holders on either side. 

As it was a media day, I had to wait a bit for my turn, but as soon as I got into the driver’s seat, I was pretty impressed with the visibility and the 16-inch Tesla display. It worked better than most smartphones these days without any hint of lag whatsoever. Every animation and every UI element was big, clear, and worked with zero jitters. 

The massive underarm storage space was another “WTF” moment for me , I was nearly elbow-deep before running out of room. You could literally fit a small child inside. 

Its too early to talk about seat comfort but I have a medium sized frame and found the seats in Tesla Model Y to be supportive enogh to keep you upright, a must, as this thing can 100 kmph in 5 seconds

The seats are heated and cooled with one touch up down for middle rows. BTW, the Model Y I sampled has 9 USB C ports!

Now as my honeymoon period was over and on my return to the office, I could not help but notice quite a few things in hindsight

First, that white interior will be a PAIN to clean. Second, there was no driver display, not even a tiny one, everything is on that iPad like 15-inch plus screen Tesla has stacked in the centre.

I mean, it is THE best implementation of infotainment I have ever seen but you still have to turn your neck and actually face away from the road to check your SOC and speed, which I felt is hazardous.

Most people think its exterior is awkward, etc., but when I witnessed it in the showroom, I liked it quite a lot. You have to understand that this is an EV, and the more aerodynamic it is, the better range you get.

I don’t know much about aero, but I do know all those massive grilles, holes, slats and whatnot typically expected in a 70-lakh vehicle are not aero efficient; they are in fact the opposite.

The design of Y is function over form. The front is a nice smooth, low, ready to pounce structure with just a couple of DRLs as its main highlight, with two horizontal turn indicators beneath them, flanked by tyre-cooling vents on either side.

You can also spot the tow hook circle lid on the right if you look closely, most people think its radar sensor it's NOT. As it's an EV a frunk is there with appreciable 116 liters of space

The variant I clicked was painted in Glacier blue (a 1.25 lakhs option), and underneath the showroom lights it helped bring out the lines of the aero-formed Model Y.

Coming to the side, you notice the Continental brand tyres for the Model Y in India, along with a couple of cameras above the wheel on either side. They are a part of Tesla’s camera-based FSD, which is yet to get approval in India.

Earlier their FSD tech was sensor-based, but the new Tesla Vision is entirely based on cameras and AI tech. The flush door handles and teardrop shaped glasshouse are the only thing worth noticing on the side of the model; the rest is just plain, simple sheet metal.

The rear is perhaps the most distinguished part of this car. The LED strip of the rear light bar is actually hidden, but it is bright enough to cast an indirect shadow. The guy who made it, I remember from a Jay Leno show, said he was hell-bent on getting it approved, and it does look really special.

Tesla has a good record of crash test safety but the Model Y does not have a BNCAP rating. Globally, it has scored 5 stars with GNCAP, Euro NCAP, NHTSA, and ANCAP. It has consistently been called one of the safest cars you can be in.

There are plenty of rivals to the Model Y, namely the BMW IX1, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and BYD Sealion 

My Model Y experience was filled with a lot of “oohs” and “aahs.” I will admit to being a bit of a fanboy when I saw  my first Tesla in person. 

Even if you are not an Elon fan, you can very much appreciate the thought and efficiency that is packed to the brim in Model Y. The L variant makes the most sense for us Indians due to its third row, insane performance, range, and Tesla’s phenomenally good UI.

There are certain bitter pills to swallow, though, that you have to bear in mind before buying a Tesla in India. First, the Supercharger network is as rare as a sedan these days. Second, every option like an interior in white or a different color bar the base grey, for example, can range from ₹90,000 to ₹2 lakhs ,it’s just insane. 

Lastly, that ₹6 lakh FSD sounds cool on paper but is subject to approvals, as Musk and his team of brilliant engineers are yet to figure out how to drive around our beloved “Gau Mata”.