Tesla Model Y India First Drive Review: Worth the Premium in 2025?

One of the most awaited electric four-wheeler brands that Indians had been desperately waiting for finally made its official entry into the country earlier this year. Within months, the first showroom was inaugurated, and now multiple Tesla experience centres have popped up in metro cities. The American EV giant is clearly eyeing a slice of India’s fast-growing electric market. I finally got my hands on the only model currently on sale here – the Tesla Model Y, brought in as a fully imported CBU. But in 2025, when equally quick and feature-loaded rivals cost almost half as much, does the Model Y still make sense? We drove it for 100 km to separate hype from reality.

Exterior & Interior: Clean, Modern, Polarising

The Model Y hasn’t aged a day. Its smooth, pebble-like shape, connected LED lighting, flush handles, and subtle aerodynamic touches still look five years ahead of everything else. You get a useful 117-litre frunk, 19-inch wheels, and 822 litres of boot with powered tail operation.

Step inside and the spaceship vibe hits you immediately. Giant 15.4-inch touchscreen controls literally everything, from mirror adjustment to headlights, steering and even drive modes. Materials feel rich, the fixed glass roof bathes the cabin in light (and heat), and rear legroom/headroom is surprisingly generous. But the absence of a sunshade, no Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, zero front USB ports, and the need to dive into sub-menus for basic functions will frustrate many.

Driving Experience & Range Reality

Performance is effortless even with the 100 kmph speed limiter active on our press car – instant torque, rock-solid stability, and a supple ride that dismisses broken roads better than most luxury SUVs twice its price. The suspension tuning strikes a lovely balance between comfort and control.

Our 100 km mixed-drive loop started at 59 % (319 km displayed) and ended at 33 % (177 km left), translating to roughly 142 km of range consumed. Real-world efficiency is acceptable but certainly not class-leading when rivals are now offering similar or more at less price.

Should You Buy One?

There’s no denying the Model Y is a brilliantly engineered car – stunning to look at, quick, comfortable, and dripping with that exclusive Tesla aura. Yet in today’s India, where equally fast, more practical, and far more affordable EVs come with proper dealer networks, similar or extra, sunshades, and phone mirroring, the asking price feels steep.

If ticking the “I own a Tesla” box is non-negotiable and budget isn’t a constraint, the Model Y remains a fantastic machine. For the rest of us, the dream is still sweet – but the reality is now a lot more expensive than it needs to be.