Tesla's 2025 Holiday Update Rolls Out: New Features, Grok Enhancements, and More

Tesla is rolling out its highly anticipated 2025 Holiday Update, bringing a host of new features and improvements to its electric vehicle lineup. This update focuses on enhancing the user experience with both practical functionalities and fun additions, including significant upgrades to the Grok AI assistant and new entertainment options.

Key Takeaways

• Enhanced Grok AI with navigation commands and destination insights.

• New "Photobooth" feature for in-car selfies and digital makeovers.

• Improved Dog Mode with live cabin snapshots and temperature updates.

• Dashcam viewer now includes speed, steering angle, and Autopilot state.

• Supercharger network gains a 3D site map with stall selection and amenity information.

Grok Gets Smarter

The "Grok with Navigation Commands (Beta)" feature allows users to add and edit navigation destinations using voice commands, a significant upgrade from previous methods. Grok's "Assistant" personality will also provide insights into destinations, such as reviews and nearby points of interest, enriching the navigation experience.

Fun and Functional Additions

The "Tesla Photobooth" turns the car into a digital studio, enabling owners to take selfies with fun filters and stickers, shareable via the Tesla app. Dog Mode now offers "Dog Mode Live Activity," providing periodic cabin snapshots and live updates on temperature and battery status for peace of mind.

For safety and convenience, the Dashcam Viewer has been updated to include crucial details like speed, steering wheel angle, and the Autopilot state for each clip. New holiday-themed graphics and sounds are available with "Santa Mode" and a new "Jingle Rush" Light Show.

Enhanced Customization and Navigation

The "Colorizer" feature, now renamed "Paint Shop," allows for greater personalization of Tesla avatars with window tints, custom wraps, and license plates, with options to use USB drives for custom designs. Navigation sees improvements with an easier way to reorder destinations, a "Favorites" tab, and the ability to set Home and Work by dropping a pin. "Suggested Destinations" will also be offered based on driving habits.

Supercharger Network Evolution

A standout feature is the "Supercharger Site Map," offering a 3D view of select Supercharger locations. This provides site layouts, live occupancy, and details on nearby amenities, even allowing drivers to choose specific charging stalls. While currently limited to a few locations, this feature is expected to expand.

Other Notable Updates

Automatic carpool lane routing will be integrated into navigation. A "Phone Left Behind Chime" will alert drivers if their phone key is left in the cabin. The "Charge Limit Per Location" feature allows saving specific charge limits for different charging spots. Gamers can enjoy the "ISS Docking Simulator" in the in-car Arcade, a SpaceX collaboration.

What's Still Missing

Despite the extensive list of new features, some anticipated additions like "Banish" (Reverse Summon) and Apple CarPlay integration were not included in this update. The ability to select specific parking spots for Full Self-Driving also remains a desired feature for many owners.