“Is this the most feature-packed Holiday Update from Tesla yet?” That’s what many owners are saying as the 2025.44.25.1 software begins to roll out in what has become an annual tradition each December for the automaker, bringing in a mix of festive fun and practical upgrades. However, this year’s edition goes beyond just seasonal cheer.
The update arrives packing a mix of playful touches, longtime-requested quality-of-life improvements, and deep integrations that further futureproof Tesla’s in-car tech. From gamified charging to advanced navigation tweaks, it’s clear the company is trying to make daily driving smarter, safer, and more engaging.
While some of those features remain relegated to newer Hardware 3 cars equipped with AMD Ryzen, the scope of the change speaks volumes about Tesla’s commitment to perfecting the ownership experience. Here’s a closer look at the 10 most notable additions and milestones making headlines this season.
1. Grok Gains Navigation Control
This is the first time when Grok, Tesla’s AI assistant, will support adding and editing of destinations with voice commands. Multiple stops can be requested in one command to make the trip planning process simpler without touching the screen. For now, the enhancement is available only in Assistant mode and limited to AMD-powered vehicles in North America.
The integration is a significant step toward more conversational, hands-free navigation. By embedding route management into the growing capabilities of Grok, Tesla is aligning its in-car AI with practical needs while minimizing distractions during drives.
2. Tesla Introduces Photobooth
Owners can snap selfies or group shots using the cabin-facing camera thanks to a new addition in Toybox. The mode, called Photobooth, includes playful stickers and instant sharing via the Tesla app. It’s a light-hearted feature but also a telling look at how Tesla continues to repurpose existing hardware for creative uses.
The mode is available to those vehicles with cabin cameras-mostly newer models-which is just one more reason for owners to delve into Toybox beyond its games and light shows.
3. Dog Mode Live Activity
Now, Dog Mode on iOS can enable Live Activity to periodically send snapshots of the cabin to an owner’s phone, in addition to temperature and battery updates. The information flow to pet owners will keep them informed without actually having to open the app.
The feature supplements Tesla’s pet safety credentials so that leaving a four-legged friend in the car remains as it always has: totally worry-free, especially when running longer errands.
4. Upgrading Dashcam Telemetry
Tesla’s Dashcam Viewer now overlays key metrics directly on the video clips: speed, steering angle, accelerator and brake pressure, and self-driving state. Coupled with an open-source tool on GitHub, owners can take that a step further by extracting and visualizing frame-by-frame telemetry.
This, in effect, gives drivers a personal “black box” that is invaluable in case of an insurance claim or incident review. This reflects Tesla’s shift to transparency in vehicle data.
5. Refresh Festive Santa Mode
Santa Mode is back and better than ever, with enhanced graphics: snowmen, trees, falling snow, and even a jingling lock chime. These seasonal graphics appear across models and help make holiday magic part of every drive.
Playful touches like that in Tesla’s attention reinforce the brand personality: high-tech performance with moments of delight.
6. Custom Wraps, Plates, Tint
Thus, Colorizer now allows owners to add custom patterns, license plates, and tinted windows to their Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck using custom designs loaded via USB or pre-loaded options.
Extending personalization beyond paint colors, Tesla is embracing the notion of an aftermarket aesthetic within its own ecosystem, meaning there is more to come in allowing drivers to make their car truly unique.
7. Smarter Navigation and Supercharger Maps
Navigation includes the reworked menu, easier setup of Home/Work, and suggested destinations based on habits. Automatic routing to carpool lanes includes time, passenger count, and restrictions. Some Supercharger locations at select pilot sites have added interactive 3D maps that show stall occupancy and layout. This can be particularly helpful when visiting very busy charging hubs and will help drivers know how to approach before even arrival.
8. Charging Passport gamifies road trips
Rolling out alongside the update, the Charging Passport compiles a yearly summary of charging stats, unique Superchargers visited, miles added, and badges for special locations such as Tesla Diner. This makes routine charging a collectible experience. Similar to Spotify Wrapped, the feature taps into a feeling of nostalgia and pride, opening users up to more exploration and engagement with Tesla’s network.
9. FSD Gift Cards Launch in U.S.
Tesla offers one-month Full Self-Driving gift cards for $112, good toward autonomy or any other Tesla products. The strategy is in line with “butts in seats,” allowing hesitant owners to try the suite without a long-term commitment. Timing, just before the holidays, is strategic: Gift recipients could turn into paying subscribers; this is tied to CEO Elon Musk’s compensation targets for active FSD users.
10. Gigafactory Shanghai Reaches 4 Million Vehicles
Tesla’s Shanghai plant has produced four million vehicles since its opening at the end of 2019, with capacity now above 950,000 units a year. The site builds both domestic and export models, including the exclusive Model Y L. This milestone underlines the factory’s role in Tesla’s global supply chain, from China to Europe, and promises a likely five-million mark within two years.
Tesla’s 2025 Holiday Update mingles whimsy and utility, from festive fun to serious data tools. For the tech-savvy owner, it’s a reminder that their car is as much a software platform as a vehicle-one that gets better with each release. Meanwhile, manufacturing milestones like Gigafactory Shanghai’s four-millionth car show that the company’s hardware story is keeping pace with its software ambitions.
