Tesla Model Y in India: 5 Disadvantages that potential buyers need to consider.

The American car manufacturer Tesla commenced its operations in India by introducing its well-known Model Y electric SUV. Tesla has given an option of standard RWD which is available at a starting price of Rs 59.9 Lakh and the long range RWD variant costing around Rs 67.9 Lakh, (ex-showroom). 

Tesla has also launched two experience centers in Delhi and Mumbai, and the deliveries for the Model Y will start in September, thus keeping priority for those users who booked the cars from these metro cities, followed by fulfilling the orders of Pan India. 

Tesla has marketed itself as a status symbol, as the company has exclusively positioned itself for the users who prefer buying these cars in India. The company was eager to enter into the Indian market and as Tesla has finally introduced themselves with their best selling product in the world during the year 2023-2024 (Model Y). Thus enthusiasts and fans can finally test the Model Y in India. 

But every successful company along with its merits also brings the demerits. Let’s discuss the following disadvantages of Model Y which could be raised, specifically on Indian road conditions, however these disadvantages couldn't be deal breakers but still impact buyers decision from buying Model Y. 

Suspension that emphasizes firmness over softness.

As the Model Y for India will be coming through CBU route, Tesla will be retaining the original suspension setup which is specially designed for US roads and it can feel more on the firmer side, especially when compared to even traditional SUVs. 

The car also feels bumpy yet has uneven stiffness when compared to other luxury cars in the competition which are tuned for Indian roads, particularly in the rear seat. However a stiff suspension does guarantee sporty dynamics by providing sharper handling across the turns, but in India’s uneven terrain and rural landscapes, this kind of suspension tuning could give an unsettling ride experience. 

No Cover for Panoramic Glass.

The Model Y’s roof is designed with a sweeping glass canopy, which gives a touch of visual flair and cabin light, However as compared to the competition, as there is no cover or mechanical shade available to reduce heat and glare.

The company says it is a UV protective glass, but in India’s harsh climatic conditions, passengers may experience uncomfortability especially during mid-day drives or hotter conditions. This may also lead to increase the temperature within the car which could potentially affect the batteries of the car in the long run. 

Rear Seats only provide heating, but no Ventilation.

Ventilated seats have now become a standard feature, especially in countries like India but Tesla is only offering heating functionality for rear seats. In India, front ventilation is the norm and is provided in every premium car, thus this feature is just useless for rear occupants as in India, the majority of the time there is excessive heat. 

A cabin designed with minimalism has fewer physical buttons.

All the Tesla cars come with a touch of sophistication by inspiring minimalism in their interiors, as majority of the functions are controlled by a big center touchscreen unit, while it may add an understated sense of luxury for some users and signifies Tesla’s tech-inspired image. But it also means less physical controls for handling other controls such as folding mirrors or even switching on the headlights. 

In India, people are more inclined towards having physical controls, thus the majority of users could find Tesla’s interiors as boring and unintuitive, and could hamper the driver’s attention and could be less convenient for split second decisions especially during long highway trips. 

Not deal-breakers, just the adjustments Tesla thinks you'll find acceptable.

While the above mentioned disadvantages can be real and could come into existence after long term ownership reviews, these don’t overshadow what Model Y is providing, a class-leading electric range on a single charge. Additionally, the Long-Range Model boasts a remarkable range of 622 Km, enhanced acceleration, cutting-edge ADAS features, and an exceptional software environment.

For many users, these merits can easily outweigh major concerns like ride stiffness or less physical controls.