ACKO Drive Awards 2026: It's a Tie for 2026 Luxury Midsize SUV — BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y

It’s not often that our expert jury members’ verdicts result in a tie, but that’s exactly what we have here with both the BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y winning in our 2026 Luxury Midsize SUV category. While these two cars are similar, they have different strengths and will appeal to different audiences.

Both BYD, one of China’s most prolific carmakers, and Tesla, the all-American EV powerhouse, have big plans for India, and both are relatively new here. The BYD Sealion 7 is significantly less expensive but is stylish and packed with attention-grabbing features such as a rotating 15.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen. It’s comfortable and feels premium, but also safe and practical – and of course fun to drive, especially the dual-motor AWD variant. 

On the other hand, the Tesla Model Y is more minimalist but feels futuristic. Although Full Self Driving is not available in India yet, the promise of autonomous mobility might motivate some potential buyers. You still get basic Autopilot features, plus the appeal of an ecosystem with highly integrated software and the company’s emerging Supercharger network. It’s speedy and silent, while still being a practical SUV with loads of space for baggage. And of course, the Tesla brand itself will attract a lot of aspirational buyers.