Tesla’s 2025 Holiday Update: Anticipated Christmas Features
It’s that special time of the year once again! Every year, Tesla unveils a festive Holiday Update to mark the season and close out the year with excitement. The 2024 Holiday Update brought a plethora of features, including a new Energy App and Precipitation Map, as well as quality-of-life enhancements like Arrival Energy and Nearby Parking. As we look forward to this year’s update, we anticipate a host of new features and changes that Tesla enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting.
What’s on the Nice List?
We’ve compiled a list of potential inclusions in this year’s holiday update. First up is the nice list, featuring some of the features most likely to be part of this year’s release.
So, put on your Santa hat and let’s dive right in.
New Santa Mode
There’s a strong possibility of the new Santa Mode making its debut in this year’s holiday update. Owners of the refreshed Model S and Model X have been longing for the classic Santa Mode since their vehicles were delivered earlier this year. While Tesla recently added ambient lighting features to Santa Mode, there’s room for more enhancements, such as improved animations and visuals, making use of the rear screen for a truly special experience.
Grok Wake Word
Currently, using Grok in your vehicle requires a long-press of the voice command button. Elon Musk confirmed that a wake word for Grok, likely “Hey, Grok” or “Hey, Tesla” (already functional in China), is in the works. This addition, already available in China, could enhance the usability of Grok, especially for passengers.
Grok for Intel Vehicles
Initially exclusive to vehicles with AMD MCUs, Grok’s availability was limited to owners of newer models. However, Tesla is working on bringing Grok to older Intel vehicles, with the main challenge being adapting the UI elements for compatibility with the older hardware.
Grok for More Regions
While Grok is currently operational in the US and Canada, expansion to Europe and Asia-Pacific markets is anticipated as processing capacity increases. Tesla and xAI are likely to extend Grok’s reach to more regions in the near future.
Custom Wraps & License Plates
Introduced in the 2024 Holiday Update for the Cybertruck, custom wraps and license plates add a personal touch to the vehicle’s visualization. Tesla has confirmed that this feature will extend to other models, potentially debuting in this year’s Holiday Update.
More FSD Visualizations
With recent additions to FSD visualizations, including new vehicles and objects, Tesla is expected to introduce further visualization models as the system becomes more adept at identifying unique objects. This enhancement may begin with models for all Tesla vehicles, starting with the Cybertruck.
Lumbar Support in Driver Profiles
Currently, lumbar support settings do not sync with Tesla Profiles, necessitating manual adjustments for optimal comfort. Tesla is working on incorporating lumbar support into driver profiles, addressing a long-standing issue for shared vehicles.
Expanded Charging Visualizations
Tesla’s charging UI, both in-vehicle and in the app, is undergoing enhancements to provide more detailed information about the connected charging equipment. The addition of new visualizations, including charger type identification, is expected to improve the charging experience for Tesla owners.
Unreal Engine
Transitioning to Unreal Engine for visual rendering could revolutionize Tesla’s graphics capabilities, potentially leading to new visualizations and animations. While this change may not immediately benefit Intel vehicle owners, it promises exciting developments for AMD-equipped models.
Grok Vehicle Controls
Integrating Grok with vehicle controls would enable seamless voice commands for various functions, enhancing the user experience. While this feature presents technical challenges, Tesla is exploring ways to integrate Grok’s AI capabilities with vehicle operations.
Boombox V2
A potential upgrade to the Boombox feature in the Tesla Mobile App could offer enhanced customization options for vehicle sounds, including horns and lock sounds. This feature, accessible and editable through the official Tesla App, may add a new level of personalization for Tesla owners.
Apple CarPlay Support
Rumors of Apple CarPlay integration with Tesla vehicles have sparked interest among users seeking a familiar interface. While the pros and cons of CarPlay integration are debated, its inclusion could attract new customers looking for seamless connectivity.
What’s on the Naughty List?
On the naughty list are features that, while highly anticipated, are unlikely to be part of the holiday update this year.
Smart Summon Improvements
Despite its appeal, Smart Summon’s reliability remains a concern for Tesla owners. The feature’s reliance on older FSD technology may hinder its performance compared to newer features. However, ongoing developments in FSD are expected to address these issues in future updates.
Summon for Cybertruck
While the Cybertruck has caught up with FSD updates, the absence of key features like Smart Summon limits its functionality. Integrating Summon capabilities for the Cybertruck in the Holiday Update would be a welcome addition for owners.
Banish and Reduced Driver Monitoring
Highly ambitious features like Banish and Reduced Driver Monitoring for FSD are unlikely candidates for the holiday update, as Tesla typically reserves major FSD-related updates for dedicated releases. These advanced features, teased by Elon Musk, represent significant advancements in Tesla’s autonomous driving technology.
Other Anticipated Features
While the final list of features in Tesla’s 2025 Holiday Update remains a mystery, the company is known for surprises and hidden Easter Eggs in its updates. Keep an eye out for the xxxx.44.25 release, where the holiday features are expected to be unveiled.
For more insights, explore our article on the evolution of Tesla’s holiday updates and the diverse range of features introduced over the years. Share your ideas and predictions for this year’s holiday update!