Elon Musk’s Tesla Model Y vs Tata Harrier EV, BMW iX1, Kia EV6: Who are its biggest rivals in India’s growing electric SUV market?

Tesla officially launched its presence in India on Tuesday by opening its first showroom in Mumbai, marking a significant entry into the world’s third-largest automobile market. Following prolonged delays and policy hurdles, Elon Musk-owned Tesla has finally stepped into a landscape where electric mobility is evolving rapidly. With its Model Y, Tesla is poised to take on established EV players and homegrown competitors.

From luxury automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW to domestic giants like Tata Motors and Mahindra, Tesla’s competition spans multiple price ranges and performance categories. As Tesla prepares for the next phase of rollout, here’s a look at the Indian electric vehicles that stand as key rivals to the Model Y.


The Tata Harrier EV delivers a blend of torque, handling, and adaptability with six terrain response modes, ranging from rock crawl to snow. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.3 seconds and produces 238 PS of power. Its ex-showroom price begins at ₹21.49 lakh, making it a strong option in the mid-range electric SUV segment.


Mahindra’s BE 6e offers versatility with three variant packs – One, Two, and Three. The vehicle includes semi-active suspension for various terrains and comes equipped with safety-focused driver alertness sensors. The base pack starts from ₹19.65 lakh, making it a competitive offering in the performance and tech space.


The Kia EV6, priced at ₹65.96 lakh (ex-showroom), brings an 84kWh battery, 663 km claimed range, and 18-minute fast charging. Its single variant provides 325 PS power with automatic transmission.

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, another premium EV, is priced at ₹46.30 lakh. It offers a 631 km range and supports 18-minute fast charging. Its 5-link rear suspension enhances ride comfort and handling, putting it in a solid spot among premium EVs.



Mercedes-Benz EQA, priced from ₹67.20 lakh, offers a 560 km range and 190 HP of power. However, it has a relatively slower charging time of 35 minutes (10% to 80%). Despite this, it remains a key Tesla rival in the luxury category.

BMW’s iX1, launched earlier this year, enters the competition with a ₹49 lakh price tag. It runs on a 66.5 kWh battery and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/hr in 8.6 seconds, making it a sleek alternative for high-end EV buyers.


To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.