Tesla has been all over the internet for some months now but the American EV giant trended the most when it officially set foot in India last week. The Elon Musk-led electric carmaker established its first showroom in the country which was inaugurated at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai a few days ago.
The other big reason for Tesla to trend in Google is the fact that Tesla launched its first product in India in the form of Model Y. Bookings for the electric crossover commenced at the time launch, whereas deliveries are expected to commence September onwards. Let us look at top 5 highlights of Tesla Model Y that made it trend in Google for a long time.
1. Minimalist cabin with cutting‑edge tech
The Model Y features Tesla’s signature minimalist interior with a 15.4-inch central touchscreen, complemented by an 8-inch rear display. Heated and ventilated front seats, power folding and heated rear seats, ambient lighting, panoramic glass roof, and a 9‑speaker audio system. Features like Dog Mode, Tesla Arcade, and Sentry Mode also land in India for the first time.
2. Two Variants with Impressive Range & Performance
Tesla introduced two variants of Model Y in India: Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The former delivers an estimated range of 574 km (EPA) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.4 seconds. The Long Range AWD model, equipped with dual motors, provides a range of 527 km and achieves 0 to 100 kmph in 4.6 seconds. Both versions have a top speed of 201 kmph.
3. Supercharging Capability & Fast Charging Infrastructure
Tesla confirmed plans to deploy Supercharger stations in major cities like Mumbai and Delhi. At the launch of Model Y, Tesla revealed that the electric crossover supports up to 238 km of range in 15 minutes (Standard Range) and up to 267 km in 15 minutes (Long Range), highlighting its rapid charging potential.
4. Optional Full Self‑Driving (FSD)
What was surprising is that Tesla is offering its hallowed Full Self-Driving (FSD) with the India-spec Model Y. The feature is available as an optional accessory for a premium of Rs 6 lakh. While FSD isn’t yet fully enabled due to India’s regulatory framework, the vehicle includes Autopilot features like Autopark, Smart Summon, Traffic Light & Stop Sign Control—with future updates planned via OTA software upgrades.
5. Premium Price Tag: Import Tax Impact
Model Y’s pricing in India starts nearly double its U.S. price of around $37,490 due to steep import tariffs (~70%) and luxury taxes (~30%). This has resulted in a listed price of Rs 59.89 lakh and Rs 67. 80 lakh (both ex-showroom), for Standard Range and Long Range, respectively. The pricing has drawn widespread social media criticism, with netizens dubbing it “TAX‑LA.” At this price, it’s clear that Tesla will compete against the likes of luxury car brands such as BMW, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz.
