Tesla Just Launched Grok, and Drivers Are Sharing Their First Impressions
As AI finds its way into our laptops and smartphones, it was only a matter of time before it made the jump into our cars. And, as many might have anticipated, Tesla quickly rolled out its own in-car AI tool, Grok.
It has been available since mid-July 2025 in Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and Cybertruck vehicles following a software update.
Tesla describes Grok as “your AI companion,” designed to answer questions, share information, and engage in natural conversation. What it does not do is control the car. For the time being, navigation, speed, and climate adjustments remain the job of Tesla’s native voice-command system. In other words, Grok is there to talk with you, not take the wheel.
Built for Curiosity, Not Control
The current version of Grok focuses on dialogue and information rather than operational control. Drivers can ask about the history of a landmark, check the forecast for their next destination, or even request a story to keep passengers entertained.
Some Tesla owners, however, are already envisioning a future where Grok’s conversational capabilities merge with vehicle functions. As one Reddit user in the Tesla Lounge put it:
“I am mildly excited about this. But I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again – all I want is a really damn good locally-run model that will understand what I’m asking/saying better than today’s system.
My most common voice command is “turn on recirculation” when I drive through locales with shitty air quality, or I pass through someone’s oil-burning exhaust. It’s never quick enough to execute. Then occasionally I’ll say something semi-dumb like “set thermostat to 72” (which is what I’ll tell Siri at home). My cars never understand this, and I need to rephrase it. I’m pretty sure an LLM would know what to do with that. I’d be stoked if integration goes further and I can do something like “flash lights 2 times”. “
It’s a valuable insight and a clear reflection of what many drivers truly want: a competent AI assistant that can handle at least parts of the driving and adjust the car based on spoken instructions. Such a feature could prove safer than the complex touchscreens that often pull a driver’s attention away from the road.
The “Missing Button” Perspective
Not everyone believes AI is the answer to every in-car task and demands the traditional manual controls, which is a very valid point.
“Imagine if the dash just had a button you could hit in .02 seconds from muscle memory that just worked instantly every time.”
For this group, immediate controls are still king. The thinking is simple: if a physical switch can accomplish a task instantly, there’s little need to involve AI in the process.
From Skepticism to Curiosity
Some skeptics are changing after seeing the potential in Grok. One driver admitted they weren’t initially interested but could see the value after trying it:
“I could see it being useful for those random times you’re driving and see a store or restaurant and wonder, ‘Hey that’s new, I wonder what they do.’
Just open it up and ask it. Or even simple things like travel time. Wasn’t too keen on it before but I think it could be pretty cool after all.”
It’s these moments, small bursts of curiosity during a drive, where Grok seems to be useful.
What is next for Tesla
Grok’s launch comes at a time when Tesla is making significant moves in AI. The company recently shut down its in-house Dojo supercomputing team and shifted its focus toward partnerships with major chipmakers, including AMD and Nvidia. Integrating AI from Musk’s other ventures, such as xAI, appears to be a central part of Tesla’s long-term vision to create a shared intelligence platform that can operate across industries while adapting to specific contexts like driving.
For now, Grok is positioned as a conversational co-pilot that can inform, entertain, and keep drivers engaged without taking direct control of the car. Yet many Tesla owners are already imagining the next step: an assistant that can both chat and act, setting destinations, adjusting climate controls, or managing other functions seamlessly through natural speech. It’s not replacing Tesla’s existing voice system just yet, but Grok adds a new dimension to the in-car experience for those who value instant information and a touch of personality on the road.
How about other brands
As for the rest of the automotive industry, a few luxury brands, such as Mercedes-Benz with its MBUX system and BMW with its Intelligent Personal Assistant, have AI-driven voice interfaces. However, they remain focused mainly on vehicle controls and basic queries, rather than broad, conversational AI.
In China, things are a bit more advanced, and several brands are pushing ahead aggressively. NIO’s NOMI assistant, XPeng’s Xiao P. These advanced AI models are bringing natural, conversational features to their vehicles. While approaches vary, Tesla’s Grok stands out for its ambition to go beyond commands, aiming to become a genuine in-car companion.
We’re eager to see what the coming years will bring and look forward to the day when AI in cars becomes fully functional. If progress continues at its current pace, it may not be long before we have truly AI-driven autonomous vehicles, with the only obstacle to full adoption being legal and regulatory limitations rather than technological ones.
