- SiriusXM has been added to the Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck.
- Tesla owners can also now unlock their EVs using an Apple Watch.
The holiday season is upon us, and Tesla has announced a slew of new features that will be included in its annual holiday update. These new features will roll out as part of an over-the-air update starting next week.
Perhaps the most important inclusion in the update is a rear cross-traffic alert feature. In recent years, rear cross-traffic alert has become a standard safety feature across much of the industry but up until now, no Tesla has had it – likely in part due to their reliance on cameras rather than radars. While there’s still no radar, Tesla has enabled the system to alert drivers of pedestrians or vehicles crossing behind while in reverse.
Read: Viral Cybertruck Coated In $60,000 Of 24K Gold Hits the Auction Block
Other handy features are being added. For example, there’s a new Tesla App for the Apple Watch, meaning owners can use their watch to lock/unlock their EVs, view the battery charge, open the frunk, and turn on the climate control. It’ll also now be possible to save dashcam and Sentry Mode clips directly from the Tesla app. Tesla Model 3’s without stalks can also now automatically shift between Drive & Reverse in parking lots and during multi-point turns.
Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck owners will be pleased to hear that SiriusXM is included in the holiday update, too. It’s now also possible to set a preferred battery charge level when arriving at a destination and a rain radar has been added to the navigation system.
BREAKING: Tesla has announced its annual 2024 Holiday Update.
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) December 2, 2024
Here's what's new:
• Tesla App on Apple Watch
• Save Dashcam & Sentry Mode clips to phone
• Autoshift between Drive & Reverse on stalkless Model 3
• Maintenance Summary: You can now view & track maintenance items… https://t.co/u1UexGtvUo pic.twitter.com/54Hj25MPzI
Most of the other updates are minor, including new wraps and license plates available for the avatars used in the Cybertruck’s infotainment system, an improved rear camera feed for the pickup, and the ability for rear-seat passengers in the Cybertruck to play games on the small screen. Fart On Contact is another small update, which will play a fart sound through the speakers as soon as a passenger sits down.
