Introduction
Tesla has officially announced the highly anticipated features included in its 2025 Holiday Update, captivating car enthusiasts and owners alike with a mix of new functionalities designed to enhance driving experiences. As usual, this update brings a variety of improvements and whimsical features that make owning a Tesla even more enjoyable. However, some key expectations have gone unmet, leading to mixed reactions from the community.
The 2025 Holiday Update introduces notable advancements, particularly in navigation capabilities, entertainment features, and enhancements that focus on user safety and convenience. While many upgrades promise to ease and enrich the daily use of Tesla vehicles, the absence of certain anticipated features has left some owners wanting more.
What’s Included in the Update
The range of features included in the 2025 Holiday Update marks a significant evolution in user functionality.
- Grok with Navigation Commands (Beta) - Grok can now take command of navigation features, enabling users to add and edit destinations with ease. This is a drastic enhancement over the previous reliance on standard voice commands, positioning Grok as a vital assistant to Tesla owners, providing insights and nearby points of interest.
- Tesla Photobooth - Users can now turn their Tesla into a fun photobooth experience, taking selfies and applying various stylized filters directly from the car. This feature is part of the Toybox, allowing easy sharing via the Tesla app.
- Dog Mode Live Activity - This iteration of Dog Mode includes periodic snapshots of the vehicle's interior and updates on temperature and climate conditions, ensuring pet owners can continuously check on their furry friends.
- Dashcam Viewer Update - The update brings more data to Dashcam clips, including speed and driving conditions, which are useful in the event of an accident, adding a layer of security for Tesla drivers.
- Santa Mode - A fun addition with festive graphics and sounds, enhancing the holiday spirit for Tesla owners.
- Light Show Update - A new light show, dubbed "Jingle Rush," has been introduced for the festive season.
- Custom Wraps and License Plates in Colorizer - Rebranded as the "Paint Shop," this feature lets users personalize their vehicle’s appearance with unique wraps and designs, capitalizing on user creativity.
- Navigation Improvements - The inclusion of a Favorites tab and Suggested Destinations optimizes route planning, making it more intuitive for daily commutes.
- Supercharger Site Map - This feature may be the highlight of the update, offering a 3D view of select Supercharger locations, showcasing layouts and amenities, thus enhancing usability for Tesla owners on the go.
- Automatic Carpool Lane Routing - The navigation system will now automatically suggest carpool lanes when applicable, promoting more efficient driving routes.
- Phone Left Behind Chime - A new safety feature alerts drivers if a phone is left inside the vehicle or if the in-car occupant detection system does not register any occupants upon closing the doors.
- Charge Limit Per Location - Tesla owners can now save charging limits for specific locations, allowing for automated management of their charging sessions.
- ISS Docking Simulator - In collaboration with SpaceX, this fun game simulates dockings with the International Space Station and gives users a taste of astronaut training.
- Additional Improvements - The update includes various enhancements, such as optimized wireless charging settings, Spotify integration, and a new sound option inspired by "Tron," all aiming to enrich the in-car experience.
What’s Not Included
While the array of new features is impressive, several expected capabilities have been notably absent, which has led to disappointment among some Tesla enthusiasts:
- Banish Feature - A highly anticipated feature teased over the years, Banish would allow owners to exit their vehicle while the car autonomously searches for a parking spot. Its omission is felt keenly by many users.
- Apple CarPlay - Despite speculation and indications that Tesla was working on its integration, Apple CarPlay was not included in this update. For many users, this is a missed opportunity, although some may argue that Tesla's in-car UI is superior.
- Parking Spot Selection - With the release of Full Self-Driving v14, many users have raised concerns about the inability to select a specific parking spot. While Tesla seems to be addressing this, it remains absent in the current update.
Conclusion
The 2025 Holiday Update from Tesla showcases the company's commitment to enhancing the user experience through innovation and new technology. With improvements to navigation, personalization, and entertainment, the update is poised to enhance the lifestyle of Tesla owners significantly. However, the absence of specific features that many were eagerly awaiting reflects that Tesla still has room for growth and development.
As Tesla continues to evolve its platform, owners can expect more updates in the future. The ongoing enhancements to autonomy, safety, and user engagement are likely to shape the future of driving in exciting ways that can keep the Tesla community engaged and looking forward to the prospects that lie ahead.
