Tesla's 2025 Holiday Update: What's New, What's Missing, and What's Next

Tesla has rolled out its highly anticipated 2025 Holiday Update, bringing a mix of fun, functional, and futuristic features to its electric vehicles. While the update introduces a host of enhancements, including improved AI integration and new entertainment options, some expected functionalities remain conspicuously absent, leaving enthusiasts eager for future releases.

Key Takeaways

• Grok AI now integrates with navigation, offering destination insights and management.

• New entertainment features include a "Photobooth" and an "ISS Docking Simulator" game.

• Significant improvements to navigation, dashcam data, and charging management are included.

• Notable omissions include the "Banish" feature and Apple CarPlay integration.

Enhanced AI and Navigation

The 2025 Holiday Update sees Grok, Tesla's AI assistant, gain significant new capabilities. In beta, Grok can now handle navigation commands, allowing users to add and edit destinations using natural language. This feature, accessible via Grok's "Assistant" personality, aims to enrich the navigation experience by providing destination reviews and points of interest. Navigation itself receives a boost with easier destination ordering through a "Favorites" tab, pin-based setting for Home and Work, and "Suggested Destinations" based on user habits. Additionally, automatic carpool lane routing is now an option, streamlining commutes where applicable.

Fun and Functional Additions

Tesla continues to inject personality into its vehicles with new Toybox features. The "Photobooth" allows drivers to take selfies with fun filters and stickers, shareable directly from the Tesla app. For pet owners, "Dog Mode" now includes a "Live Activity" that provides periodic cabin snapshots and live climate updates. The "Dashcam Viewer" is enhanced with more data, including speed, steering wheel angle, and Self-Driving state, making recorded clips more informative. Seasonal additions include "Santa Mode" with new graphics and a "Light Show Update" featuring "Jingle Rush."

Supercharger and Charging Improvements

A standout feature is the introduction of a 3D "Supercharger Site Map" for select locations. This provides drivers with site layouts, live occupancy information, and details on nearby amenities, even allowing for specific stall selection. Charging management is also improved with the ability to save charge limits per location, automatically applied on subsequent charges. The "Phone Left Behind Chime" adds a layer of security, alerting drivers if their phone key is left inside the cabin.

What's Missing from the Update

Despite the numerous additions, several anticipated features did not make the cut. The "Banish" functionality, which would allow the car to park itself after dropping off occupants, remains elusive. Rumors and evidence of Apple CarPlay integration have persisted, but this highly requested feature is still not available. Furthermore, the ability to select a specific parking spot within the "Arrival Features" of Full Self-Driving remains a notable omission, particularly for those in multi-unit dwellings.

Other Notable Enhancements

The update also includes several smaller, yet useful, improvements. Owners can now enable or disable wireless phone charging pads. Spotify integration is smoother, allowing tracks to be added to the queue directly from search and seamless scrolling through large libraries. "Rave Cave" now supports rainbow colors synchronized with music, and the "Boombox" lock sound includes a "Light Cycle" option from Tron Mode. A new game, the "ISS Docking Simulator," developed in collaboration with SpaceX, has been added to the in-car Arcade.