With anticipation building around Tesla’s upcoming 2025 Holiday Update, owners of the brand’s electric vehicles are sharing their hopes for both practical improvements and entertaining features. The annual software refresh, known for introducing playful and functional tweaks, is again sparking discussions within the Tesla community, as drivers express their needs across social media. Some highlights from wishlists include new entertainment options, enhanced autonomy tools, and greater voice-command integration. As expectations mount, Tesla has not offered clues about specific features for this year’s rollout.
Reports from previous years suggest Tesla has focused on a blend of whimsy and utility, delivering additions like the Custom Lock Sound, High Fidelity Park Assist, and expanded light shows. While last year’s update leaned more towards entertainment, it lacked major navigation or self-driving breakthroughs. Demand for new streaming platforms has surfaced before, indicating this is an ongoing request rather than a new trend. Regulatory barriers—especially involving Full Self-Driving (FSD) in Europe—remain, despite incremental testing, keeping the timeline for broader rollout uncertain. Integration with Grok, Tesla’s AI voice assistant, has been floated in earlier updates but implementation so far has been partial, leaving owners still reliant on traditional controls for many tasks.
Which New Entertainment Options Do Owners Want?
Entertainment remains a central theme this year, with requests centering on more streaming platforms for Tesla’s in-car Theater. While models currently support Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, many users have voiced interest in services such as HBOMax, Paramount+, and YouTube TV, particularly for live event streaming during charging sessions. A large segment of owners consider this an overdue enhancement, hoping it materializes in this year’s software release.
Will Full Self-Driving See Key Updates?
Calls for Full Self-Driving conditions, especially in Europe, are common, but legal hurdles remain an obstacle. Tesla’s regulatory negotiations continue without clear progress toward approval, even as the technology reportedly shows readiness for European roadways. Owners have also requested improvements like ‘learn’ mode for parking preferences, which would allow the car to remember and automatically select assigned parking spots in residential or congested areas.
How Could Grok and Navigation Features Improve Daily Use?
Many owners point out that Grok, Tesla’s voice assistance AI, currently cannot handle certain standard in-car requests such as adjusting climate controls or modifying navigation stops. Reports indicate some vehicles feature visual cues for Grok, but core functions are not fully integrated. Navigation adjustments also top driver wishlists, with users wanting easier route customization for detours or destination changes, rather than inputting multiple waypoints. Tesla has not announced any plans to address these recommendations so far.
Tesla representatives have acknowledged ongoing updates, though specific features have not been confirmed.
“We constantly review owner feedback to determine which features add the most value,” a company spokesperson noted.
Further, when asked about streaming and third-party app integration, they stated:
“Our team aims to provide a balanced mix of entertainment and functionality in each update.”
Looking at recent trends and customer expectations, it’s clear that Tesla’s annual Holiday Update is under significant scrutiny as owners look for both tangible improvements and fun diversions in their vehicles. Regulatory challenges remain a key barrier for innovations such as wider FSD availability, especially in regions with strict compliance demands. As software becomes increasingly central to the EV experience, the role of regular, feedback-driven updates will continue to shape brand loyalty. Consumers interested in in-car entertainment and convenient new AI-powered features may benefit from exploring which brand platforms offer the variety and flexibility to keep pace with their digital lifestyle. Monitoring Tesla’s update cycle may inform purchase decisions for those prioritizing access to the latest technology or services in their vehicles. Those weighing a Tesla purchase based on features like streaming, self-driving, or smart navigation should keep an eye on this year’s update for indications of the direction Tesla’s R&D team is headed.
