Comparison · 2026-11-01
Li Auto i6 vs Tesla Model Y: the family-SUV trade-off
Both are five-seat electric family SUVs sold in China. The i6 leans on cabin equipment and a 5C pack; the Model Y leans on efficiency, charging and a globally proven package.
| Metric | Li Auto i6 RWDChina · CLTC | Tesla Model YChina / Europe |
|---|---|---|
| China price | ¥249,800 (RWD) | from ¥263,500 (RWD); Y L ¥339,000 |
| Battery | 96 kWh in-house LFP | 78.1 kWh NMC |
| Electric range | 780 km CLTC (RWD) | 821 km CLTC (LR RWD) |
| Power | 250 kW RWD; 400 kW AWD | 220 kW |
| 0–100 km/h | 6.8 s RWD; 4.8 s AWD | 5.6 s |
| Length / wheelbase | 4,950 / 3,000 mm | 4,790 / 2,890 mm |
| Boot | 724 L | — (not in our source) |
| Charging | 800V, 5C; 10 min ≈500 km (claim) | 400V, 250 kW; 10–80% in 27 min |
| Driver assistance | Li AD Max VLA, lidar, L2+ | Autopilot, camera-only, L2 |
| Cabin equipment | Fridge, massage, heated/ventilated seats, one-tap bed | Heat pump; no V2L on EU spec |
Specifications are cited per row. CLTC and WLTP are never merged.
The i6 is a five-seat EV, not a shrunken L-series
The i6 is 4,950 mm long with a 3,000 mm wheelbase and a 724-litre boot. It is not a six-seat L8/L9 derivative; the body, seating and packaging are different. That matters because Li Auto's brand reputation was built on six-seat range-extender SUVs, and the i6 asks buyers to accept a five-seat BEV instead.
The Model Y is smaller and lighter, with a 4,790 mm body and a 2,890 mm wheelbase. It has less length to package but also less mass to move. On a like-for-like route, that usually helps efficiency.
Range and charging are not one number
The i6 RWD is rated at 780 km CLTC; the Model Y LR RWD reaches 821 km CLTC. On range alone, the Tesla has the edge in that trim. The i6's response is a 96 kWh pack in a larger body and an 800V/5C charging claim of about 500 km in ten minutes.
Those claims answer different questions. CLTC range is a laboratory cycle; the 500 km figure is a manufacturer charging claim without a published peak kW. The Model Y's 250 kW peak and 27-minute 10–80% time are more specific, but still depend on the charger.
Equipment is where the i6 pulls ahead
The i6 catalogued features include a fridge, front-seat massage, heating and ventilation, a one-tap bed mode and Li AD Max with lidar. The Model Y counters with a heat pump, a highly efficient package and a charging network. Both are L2; neither is a legal hands-off system.
This is the clearest split. If the car is a family room on wheels, the i6's rear-seat and camping features matter. If it is a long-distance tool, the Model Y's efficiency and charging access matter more.
The price and the missing October sales
The i6 starts at ¥249,800, about ¥13,700 below the Model Y's ¥263,500. That is a meaningful gap, but it is not the whole cost: insurance, resale and local incentives differ.
The i6's latest verified monthly figure in our dataset is September 2026, when it sold 7,379 units, down 56.5% month on month. October sales were not published when this page was checked. A single month is not a verdict on the 2026 refresh.