Tesla has unveiled its 2025 Holiday Update, bringing a collection of new features that hint at fun and functionality. Let’s break down what’s new this season.
Every December, Tesla rolls out these updates, allowing drivers to explore new features during the holiday break. In the past, we’ve seen major additions, but this year’s update leans more towards smaller, engaging tweaks.
One standout is Grok with Navigation Commands. Developed by Elon Musk’s company, xAI, Grok now interacts with vehicle functions. For instance, it can add or edit navigation destinations when set to ‘Assistant’ mode.
Next up is the Photobooth feature. This lets you snap selfies inside your Tesla and spruce them up with filters, stickers, and emojis, similar to apps like Snapchat. You can find it in the Toybox menu.
With Dog Mode Live Activity, Tesla enhances pet safety. Owners can now monitor their pets inside the car via live temperature and climate updates right from their phones.
The Dashcam Viewer also receives a boost. Now, users can see extra details about their dashcam clips, such as speed and steering wheel angle, allowing for a more comprehensive review of driving conditions.
For those getting into the festive spirit, Santa Mode updates your car’s visuals with holiday cheer, including festive chimes and 3D snow effects.
The holiday update also packs in significant improvements for navigation. You can reorder favorites, set home or work locations easily, and get suggestions based on recent trips. A new Supercharger Site Map feature offers a 3D view of select stations, helping you see available spots when you arrive.
Additionally, Tesla’s navigation can now guide you to use HOV lanes automatically when certain criteria are met. There’s even a Phone Left Behind Chime to alert you if you leave your phone inside after exiting the vehicle.
On a fun note, the SpaceX ISS Docking Simulator lets you try your hand at docking with the International Space Station, borrowing controls from real NASA astronaut training.
Despite a mix of practical updates and playful features, user reactions suggest some of the fun additions may see limited use. However, the navigation improvements offer essential upgrades that many drivers will appreciate.
For an extensive look at all features introduced, you can check out the details here.
