Tesla’s 2025 Christmas update is live — these are the features everyone’s talking about
The 2025 Holiday Update is now rolling out to customers, bringing practical upgrades and a touch of seasonal fun to Tesla owners.
One of the advantages Tesla owners point to is that the cars continue to get new software updates long after purchase. These updates are not just fixing issues but also upgrades to existing tools and occasionally add entirely new features. This year’s “Holiday Update” follows that pattern.
Version 2025.44.25.1 is now rolling out, and while it doesn’t introduce major headline features, it delivers several practical improvements and seasonal updates that expand day-to-day usability. Let’s see what the new update brings.
Grok with commands
One of the most significant changes is that Grok, Tesla’s in‑car AI assistant, now supports navigation commands in Beta. Drivers can tell Grok to add or change destinations by voice instead of manually typing them on the screen. Users only need to set Grok’s personality to “Assistant” to enable the feature. This is an exciting step toward hands‑free trip planning in Tesla vehicles.
Dog mode live activity
When Tesla introduced Dog Mode, it was a significant improvement for owners who occasionally need to leave a pet safely in the car. The feature quickly became a widely appreciated tool among drivers. Now, Tesla is giving it a practical upgrade that further improves convenience for anyone relying on the system.
The update improves the car’s “Dog Mode.” On iPhones, Dog Mode now offers a “Live Activity” feed, showing snapshots of the cabin and real-time data on temperature and battery status. This gives remote peace of mind when pets are left in the car.
Dashcam viewer updates
Tesla has also upgraded the dashcam system, and the updated viewer now includes overlays of additional telemetry on recorded clips. It shows vehicle speed, steering-wheel angle, and whether Autopilot or Full Self-Driving was engaged during the recording. This extra data provides a clearer picture of events than video alone. The feature is especially helpful for reporting accidents or supporting insurance claims. It also benefits drivers who share dashcam clips online, reducing misinterpretation by making it immediately clear whether the car was in autonomous mode or not.
Supercharger site map
Arguably, the most notable addition in the update is the 3D Supercharger site maps. It first rolled out as a pilot at 18 locations (17 in California and one in Texas). Drivers can now select “View Site Map” or access it automatically when arriving at a Supercharger. The maps display stall layout and live occupancy, including which chargers are available or out of service. Due to hardware limitations on older vehicles with Intel processors, these 3D site maps appear to be restricted to cars equipped with AMD Ryzen MCUs.
Phone left behind chime
This update introduces a new alert chime that sounds when a phone or phone key is detected inside the cabin after the doors close and no occupant is detected. The feature is handy for owners who use their phones as their primary key. In previous models, leaving a phone in the car often caused problems when users tried to lock or unlock the vehicle later. The new reminder reduces the likelihood of unintentionally leaving the car unsecured.
Festive holiday features
This years Christmas update brought Tesla drivers a bunch of optional fun additions. There’s the Jingle Rush light show, which allows owners to choreograph exterior and interior lights to music. The display can be scheduled in advance or triggered manually, adding a unique, customizable layer of holiday spirit for those who want their Tesla to join in seasonal celebrations.
One of the highlights of this update is the refreshed Santa Mode, which adds festive on-screen visuals like snow or cheerful animations while driving. Some models even display a “festive sled” with Tesla’s robot mascot as Santa, giving passengers a lighthearted, interactive experience.
Another cool update is Photo booth mode for the cabin camera. Drivers and passengers can take selfies using themed filters and stickers, giving Tesla owners a new entertaining way to capture memories during the holiday season.
Meanwhile, the Paint Shop feature lets owners customize the on-screen representation of their car, including wraps and other decorative touches.
For those who want to learn more about Tesla’s 2025 Holiday Update, check out this popular video where they discuss the new features in-depth.
Takeaway
The 2025 Tesla Holiday Update brought a mix of practical upgrades and festive touches. From AI-powered navigation to enhanced pet monitoring, these changes improve convenience and safety. It’s important to remember that not all features will be available on every Tesla (Grok navigation and 3D Supercharger maps appear limited to newer vehicles with AMD-based processors), but these Holiday-themed modes are still optional for your Tesla. The seasonal features add some optional fun without compromising functionality. For owners with compatible vehicles, it’s a useful and enjoyable refresh to end the year.
