Year in Review: Every feature Tesla launched in 2021

January 11, 2022

By Nuno Cristovao

We'll take a look back at 2021 and all the improvements and new features Tesla added to their vehicles.

When you consider that Tesla spent the first half of 2021 focusing on the new software for the Model S, it's amazing how many new features Tesla ended up releasing before the end of the year.

Non-Tesla owners often ask what is your favorite thing about Tesla. For many owners, it's without a doubt the software updates.

In 2021 Tesla added more than 50 features and improvements to their cars.

Some of the features are minor improvements, while others add completely new functionality to your car.

In 2021 Tesla added support for nine new languages to its user interface. They also improved more than 10 features such as car visualizations and the Dashcam.

Tesla now also offers additional entertainment such as TIDAL, new streaming services such as Disney+ and TikTok, and new games.

In total Tesla added more than 30 new features in 2021 alone.

Over years, you'll likely receive a hundred or more major software updates that will literally add hundreds of improvements and new features that your Tesla didn't have when you originally bought it.

Below we'll take a look at every feature Tesla added in 2021.

New Languages

Your touchscreen is now available in over 20 languages. To switch your language setting, tap Controls > Display > Language > Touchscreen.

Improved Dark Mode / Night Mode

You can now change to a dark themed display. Tap Controls > Display > Appearance and select Dark.

Hide Map Details

Simplify your navigation app and hide map details by tapping the pin button on the map.

App Loading Progress Bar

When using the car's web browser a splash screen will now be shown that includes a progress bar to let you know that the browser is loading.

Increased Regenerative Braking in Cold Weather

The amount of regenerative braking available in colder temperatures appears was increased. In temperatures of 30-40°F, many users are now seeing their cars remain with full regen braking available.

Improved Driver Profiles

Each Driver Profile will now have its own individual Work and Home address. To update, select your profile, tap Navigation and long press either Work or Home.

TACC Chime

You will now receive an audio alert when Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is enabled. To disable, tap Controls > Autopilot > Traffic-Aware Cruise Control Chime.

Vision-based Autopark

Your vehicle can now automatically park in parallel and perpendicular spots. While driving below 15 mph (25 km/h), the instrument cluster will display a parking icon if it detects a potential parking spot. To initiate Autopark, tap-and-hold the Autopark button in the shift panel, and release the steering yoke. For more information on Autopark, please refer to the Owner's Manual.

Animal Visualizations

Certain four-legged animals are now detected and are displayed in the in-car visualizations.

Dashcam Improvements

Dashcam can now automatically save clips whenever your vehicle detects the occurrence of a safety event (such as an accident or airbag deployment). Recordings captured are stored locally and never transmitted to Tesla. To opt-in, tap Controls > Safety & Security > Dashcam > AUTO. To learn more about how to setup and use Dashcam, please refer to the Owner's Manual.

Manage Dashcam Clips

Easily delete all dashcam video clips directly from the touchscreen by tapping Controls > Safety > Dashcam > Delete Dashcam Clips

Improved Wipers

The windshield wiper wash sequence automatically adjusts to your vehicle speed to better clear salt and grime.

Improved Car Visualization

The car's visualization on the display now looks more realistic and refined. It features an improved lighting source and now uses anti-aliasing to produce a sharper looking visualization.

Yoke Behavior Changes

Your turn signals will now automatically turn off when the vehicle detects a merge, fork or lane change maneuver has been completed. If an upcoming navigation event is detected in the direction of the turn signal, or if the vehicle detects a subsequent lane change, the turn signal will not turn off until the maneuver is complete. Turn signals will always latch when pressed. Additionally, you can now press and hold to latch high beam, and to activate the windshield washer.

Note: Turn signals will cancel based on steering angle regardless of the selected setting for Automatic turn signals.

Bluetooth Progress Bar

When streaming audio over Bluetooth, the car will now display a progress bar in addition to the time remaining to further help you understand how far along you are on the current track.

TIDAL

TIDAL streaming is now available from the Media menu with a TIDAL account. You can listen to TIDAL playlists or albums in high-quality audio by connecting to Wi-Fi and pressing Download on the selected content.

Disney+

You can now watch Disney+ in the Tesla Theater app. To launch Tesla Theater, tap the Entertainment icon in the Application Launcher and select the Theater tab while your car is in PARK.

TikTok

You can now watch TikTok from your touchscreon. To launch, tap the Theater icon from the bottom bar and select TikTok while your car is in darn.

Sky Force Reloaded

Sky Force Reloaded is the spirit of the classic arcade shoot 'em ups, captured with modern visuals and design. Meaty explosions, incinerating lasers, colossal bosses and diverse aircrafts to pilot.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Jump into the original Sonic the Hedgehog! Speed by in a blur using the supersonic spin attack at high speed, defy gravity around loop- the-loops and defeat Dr. Eggman as the fastest hedgehog of all time. Gotta Go Fast!

Sonic the Hedgehog requires a controller to play.

Best game controllers for your Tesla

Sudoku

Fill every square and enjoy this classic logic puzzle game, featuring five difficulty levels and a smart hint system for beginners.

The Battle of Polytopia - Multiplayer Support

You can now play The Battle of Polytopia with friends using the multiplayer mode.

Light Show

Watch your Tesla dance to a choreographed light show any time of year. Open Toybox, tap Light Show and follow the instructions.

See Tesla's Light Show in action

Detect Emergency Vehicles

You Tesla wil now be able to detect and react to certain emergency vehicles while using Autopilot.

Blind Spot Camera

You can now automatically see a live camera view of your blind spot whenever you activate the turn signal. To enable, tap Controls > Autopilot > Automatic Blind Spot Camera.

Tesla Powerwall Coordination

Your vehicle coordinates with Powerwall for enhanced charging during a power outage, without exceeding the energy and power capabilities of your Powerwall system. Powerwall continuously responds to the changing power needs of your home and will slow or stop your car's charging, keeping your home loads powered. During a power outage, your car will charge from the Powerwall whenever it is above the threshold set in the Tesla mobile app. You can change this threshold to balance your home and transportation energy needs, putting you in full control of your energy ecosystem. Powerwall can also use surplus solar to charge your vehicle during an outage if you keep your car plugged in while the sun is shining.

Boombox Megaphone

Project your voice with additional authority using the new Megaphone function. Tap Toybox > Boombox > Megaphone.

Note: Your car must be in park to use Megaphone.

Adaptive Suspension Damping

A recalibrated suspension damping algorithm allows for smoother control and improved ride comfort. A rebalanced rebound-to-compression ratio works with the all-new multilink rear suspension to enhance steering response and handling for a higher degree of road connection and more precise control during spirited driving.

Detect Uneven Tire Wear

Your Tesla will now report whether there is uneven wear on your tires. If a tire is showing signs of uneven wear, a message will appear on your displaying letting you know that your tires should be inspected.

More about detecting uneven tire wear

Additional Car Information

Additonal details are now displayed in your car's Software menu. Your car will now display supported cellular networks under Modem capabilities. It will also show whether your vehicle is compatible with Tesla's CCS adapter.

To view this information go to Controls > Software and tap on 'Additional Vehicle Information'.

Track Mode for 2021 Model S Plaid

Optimize your Plaid configuration for dynamic driving exclusively on closed courses and experience the unmatched performance at many different venues. To enable, tap Controls > Pedals & Steering > Track Mode.

- Thermals: The heat pump system cools more aggressively, maximizing powertrain endurance and performance. Enable post-drive cooling to shorten wait times between sessions.

- Drive Systems: Torque vectoring authority is increased across the three motors, elevating the vehicle's agility and cornering capability. The accelerator pedal allows more precise torque control, and regenerative braking power is strengthened to recover more energy.

- Suspension: Adaptive damping reduces vehicle motions, improving handling and promoting driver confidence. Ride height is automatically set to 'Low' upon drive off.

- Display: A track-focused interface includes a lap timer, G-meter (real-time accelerometer), vehicle thermals monitor, Dashcam video capture, vehicle telemetry capture, and offers customization options.

Automated Seat Heaters

First row seat heaters can now automatically regulate seat temperature based on the cabin environment and the climate control set temperature. To access seat heating controls, tap the temperature settings to bring up the HVAC panel.

Note: HVAC system must be in Auto to use automatic seat heating.

Driver Door Unlock

Unlock only the driver door when approaching the vehicle by tapping Controls > Locks > Driver Door Unlock Mode.

Use Comfort Damping Suspension in Autopilot

Your vehicle will now automatically transition to Comfort Suspension Damping when Autopilot is engaged. This setting is enabled by default. To disable, tap Controls > Suspension > Use Comfort Damping in Autopilot.

Immersive Sound

Immersive Sound now has additional granularity along with an AUTO setting which will adjust based on the type of content playing. To access, tap Media > Audio Settings > Immersive Sound > AUTO.

Request FSD Beta

You can now request early access to Full Self-Driving Beta pending eligibility. To get started, tap Controls > Autopilot > Request Full Self-Driving Beta and follow the instructions.

Add Stop (Waypoints)

Add a new stop to your route by tapping the "+" icon on the navigation search button and searching for a destination, or selecting a pin on the map.

Easily reorder or add multiple destinations to your route with updated arrival times. To add a stop, or edit a trip, initiate a navigation route, and tap the more options button on the turn list.

Seat and Steering Column Calibration

You can now calibrate your seat and steering column if you're having any issues adjusting them. To calibrate your seat and steering column, you can go to Controls > Service and tap Seat Calibration.

Active Road Noise Reduction

Your vehicle now has the ability to actively reduce low-frequency road noise while driving on rough surfaces. To accomplish this, the system uses the seat microphones to measure the noise in the cabin, then generates anti-noise through the speakers to create quiet zones around the occupants.

To access, tap Audio Settings > Options > Active Road Noise Reduction.

Customize App Launcher

Drag and drop your favorite apps to any position along the bottom menu bar for easy access. To customize your menu bar, hold any icon and then drag to reorder. To adjust climate controls such as heated seats and defrost, tap on the temperature or swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

Sentry Mode Live Access

You can now view your car's surroundings from the Tesla app when parked to confirm the safety of your environment before returning to your car. Live Camera is end-to-end encrypted and cannot be accessed by Tesla. To enable or disable, tap Controls > Safety > 'View Live Camera via Mobile App' from the vehicle touchscreen display.

Note: This feature requires mobile app version 4.2.1 or higher, and Premium Connectivity.

Subwoofer

You can now adjust your subwoofer by bringing up your Media Player, and tapping the settings icon > Tone.

V11

The car now features an updated UI that is consistent with the redesigned Model S. With it comes new and reorganized menus and options.

Cabin Camera Driver Monitoring

The cabin camera above your rearview mirror can now determine driver inattentiveness and provide you with audible alerts, to remind you to keep your eyes on the road when Autopilot is engaged. Camera images do not leave the vehicle itself, which means the system cannot save or transmit information unless you enable data sharing. To change your data settings, tap Controls > Safety & Security > Data Sharing on your car's touchscreen.

Car Wash Mode

Car Wash Mode closes all windows, locks the charge port and disables windshield wipers, Sentry Mode, Walk-Away Door Locks and parking sensor chimes. For automatic car washes with conveyor belts, the Free Roll option shifts to Neutral and prevents the parking brake from automatically applying if you leave. To access, tap Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode.

Disable Mirror Autodim

You can enable or disable automatic dimming for your mirrors. To access, tap Controls > Mirror > Mirror Auto Dim.

Swap Between Miles/Percent

You can now switch between battery percentage and distance units by tapping the range display next to the battery icon.

Remain Connected to Wi-Fi in Drive (Hotspot support)

To remain connected to Wi-Fi when shifting into gear, tap Wi-Fi icon > Wi-Fi Settings > Remain Connected in Drive. This is especially useful for users who wish to use their hotspots for connectivity.

New Tesla App

In 2021 Tesla completely redesigned their official phone app. Since releasing version 4.0, they have been adding new features at record pace.

The Tesla app now supports widgets, Sentry Mode Live Access, scheduled charging, customizable actions, improved notifications and much more.

More about the new Tesla app

FSD Beta

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Black Tesla/YouTube

Tesla has made drastic improvements to thier FSD Beta. The beta is now on version 10.8.1 and is much more capable at navigating city streets. Tesla also released the beta to thousands of additional public testers using their Safety Score calculator.

Our Safety Score Calculator

FSD Visualizations

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DirtyTesla/Twitter

This year Tesla made huge strides in car visualizations with their FSD Beta. Gone are the matrix-like graphics which were replaced with 3D models that are similar to the production visualizations. The visualizations do an excellent job in deteting not only road markings, but road edges, speed bumps, crosswalks and so much more.

Take a look at every FSD visualization

Tesla’s New Signal Viewer Panel in Service Mode+ Allows You to View Real-Time Data

February 21, 2025

By Karan Singh

@scotsrule08 on X

Tesla’s latest software update, version 2025.2, brings new features to Service Mode, continuing the trend of improving in-vehicle diagnostics.

Currently, this feature is only available for vehicles with AMD Ryzen infotainment systems and requires Service Mode+, which is a subscription service aimed at technicians. Intel-powered vehicles aren’t supported yet, but we expect this feature to roll out to them as well unless hardware limitations prevent it.

Thanks to Spencer for providing an image of the panel in action.

Signal Viewer Panel

While update 2025.2.6 adds four service mode improvements, including updates to brake burnishing, charge port calibration, and noise recording panel improvements. In this article, we’ll focus on the new signal viewer panel.

This new panel offers a live data feed from selectable vehicle sensors. You select the signals you’re interested in and it’ll plot the signal on a graph. In addition to allowing you to view real-time signal data, it also allows you to record them.

The signals are searchable and can be easily added or removed from the panel. You can track up to 10 sensors, and the UI allows three of them to be viewable at once.

However, this is Service Mode and it’s more than just pretty looks. You can really dig down into these charts. You can pan them left and right through time, and tapping a specific point shows the exact value of that signal. The panel also supports pinch-to-zoom, enabling you to adjust the time scale across all panels simultaneously.

This feature is exclusive to Service Mode+, which requires a subscription to Tesla’s ToolBox3 software and a connection to a computer. It’s designed to help technicians diagnose issues related to signal quality, noise in the vehicle’s electrical systems, and signal variance in components during driving.

We’re excited to see Tesla’s continued focus on repairability, especially with additions like the Cybertruck’s Interactive Wiring Diagram and the launch of the Tesla Online Parts Catalog, which lets customers purchase parts directly.

Plus, with the reduced cost of ToolBox 3 subscriptions, even DIY enthusiasts now have access to tools that make Tesla repairs more accessible.

Tesla Introduces New Model Y Variants in Europe; Ends Launch Series

February 21, 2025

By Not a Tesla App Staff

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has updated its Model Y lineup in Europe, introducing new standard configurations while discontinuing the limited-edition Launch Series. With the new variants now available, European customers will have more choices and cheaper options to pick from.

The Launch Series and some of its exclusive features will no longer be offered—except in the UK, where it remains available alongside the new lineup.

New Models Introduced

Tesla’s new Model Y lineup in Europe includes three main variants. The prices vary slightly from country to country.

Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Priced at €44,990, this model is the most affordable new Model Y, but it also has the shortest range and is missing a few features available on other trim levels.
Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (LR RWD): Available for €49,990, this version is essentially the same as the RWD model, but with a larger battery. It has seen a €1,000 price increase compared to the outgoing Long Range RWD model.
Long Range All-Wheel Drive (LR AWD): At €52,990, this model has seen a price drop of €2,000, making it a better deal than the previous LR AWD Model Y. This is also the only new Model Y to come with most of the same features as the Launch Series, including additional speakers, a subwoofer, premium materials inside the cabin and improved acceleration. Acceleration boost should also become available for this model, letting it match the performance of the Launch Series.

All Model Y variants come with all the improvements that we’ve discussed about the new Model Y, including the new front and rear light bars, improved aerodynamics, ventilated seats, improved heat and sound isolation, and the 8-inch rear touchscreen. Some exclusive options, like the Midnight Cherry Red paint, appear to no longer be available. However, Tesla has already said that they’ll be introducing new paint options for the Model Y in North America.

Compare Model Y Variants

Here’s how the various Model Y variants compare to each other:

	Launch Series	LR AWD	LR RWD	RWD
Range (WLTP)	353mi (568km)	364mi (568km)	387mi (622km)	311mi (500 km)
Acceleration (0 to 60 mph)	4.1s (includes Acceleration Boost)	4.8s	5.6s	5.9s
Audio	15 speakers + subwoofer	15 speakers + subwoofer	9 speakers	9 speakers
Interior	Premium materials	Premium materials	Fabric door trim	Fabric door trim
Weight	4,402 lbs (1,997 kg)	4,402 lbs (1,997 kg)	4,191 lbs (1,901 kg)	4,250 lbs (1,928 kg)
Power Consumption	15.3 kWh/62 mi (100km)	15.3 kWh/62 mi (100km)	14.2 kWh/62 mi (100km)	13.9 kWh/62 mi (100km)
Tow Hitch	Included	Optional	Optional	Optional
Supercharging Power	250 kW max	250 kW max	250 kW max	175 kW max
Charging Speed	165 mi (266 km) in 15 mins	165 mi (266 km) in 15 mins	165 mi (266 km) in 15 mins	148 mi (238 km) in 15 mins
Battery Warranty	8 years or 120k mi	8 years or 120k mi	8 years or 120k mi	8 years or 100k mi
Extras	FSD + Acceleration Boost + Puddle Lights + LS badges + Free Upgrade to Helix wheels	None	None	None
Availability	Late February	March	June	May-June
Price	€60,990	€52,990	€49,990	€44,990

Launch Series Ends

Not a Tesla App

The Launch Series, which debuted just weeks ago in Europe, has now been phased out. This limited-edition model was priced at €60,990 and included a suite of premium features comparable to a bundle deal you may find with other products. It came equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD), Acceleration Boost, and exclusive badging on the rear liftgate, door sill plates, and puddle lights.

While the Launch Series is no longer available for new orders in most European countries, customers can still get a similar vehicle by opting for the Long Range AWD model and manually adding premium features like FSD. Acceleration Boost, which was standard in the Launch Series, is expected to become available for purchase once these vehicles are delivered or soon afterward. However, some exclusive elements, such as badging and trim details, will remain unique to the discontinued edition.

For now, the UK remains an exception, still offering the Launch Series alongside the newly introduced models.

Performance Model Still to Come

With Tesla now introducing the expected variants of the refreshed Model Y, one notable absence is the Performance model. While the Launch Series was fast due to the Acceleration Boost addon, there’s no doubt the Performance version will be in a league of its own.

What we saw Tesla do with the 2024+ Model 3 Performance variant was more than just using binned motors. The vehicle featured unique bumpers, a spoiler, an improved suspension, sport seats, Track Mode V3 and other features that made the vehicle stand out compared to the Model 3 AWD.

The Performance version of the new Model Y is expected to become available later this year, however, expect it to carry a $5-$8k premium over the AWD model.

Other Regions to Follow

As Europe phases out the Launch Series, other regions are expected to see similar changes. With the other models now revealed, owners in other regions have a better idea of whether they should buy the Launch Series or wait for the additional models to arrive.

Tesla naturally adjusts its offerings based on market demand, and if sales of the Launch Series remain strong in other parts of the world, Tesla will likely wait it out a little longer before offering the other models.