Tesla moves faster than most automakers on software, but some updates have felt “late” for years. Over the last year, a few long-requested changes finally landed and others are lining up for the next model year. If you’ve owned a Tesla for a while, this list is basically the “about time” file.
1) The Model Y Refresh (Finally)
The Model Y has been the volume king, but it’s also been one of the most “same car, new software” vehicles on the road. For 2026, Tesla’s mid-cycle refresh pushes real changes across comfort and refinement, and it also sets the stage for powertrain updates trickling down from newer performance hardware.
Why it’s overdue: competitors have been leveling up cabin materials, noise reduction, and overall refinement every year. Tesla finally responding with a meaningful refresh is a big deal for the most common Tesla on the road.
2) Model 3 “Highland” Was the Reset the Model 3 Needed
The Model 3 update wasn’t just styling. It brought a more refined cabin and meaningful mechanical improvements. For example, Car and Driver notes the Long Range RWD version gained a higher-output motor and a higher-capacity battery versus the prior setup, along with suspension revisions for a smoother, quieter ride.
Why it’s overdue: the Model 3 had started to feel “old Tesla” compared to newer EVs that focused heavily on comfort and refinement.
3) The “Engine Upgrades”: New Drive Units and More Powertrain Headroom
If you’re waiting for Tesla to “upgrade the engine,” this is the EV version of that story: motors, inverters, and drive units. In 2024, Tesla introduced a new-generation performance drive unit (their Performance 4DU) for the new Model 3 Performance, claiming gains in continuous power, peak power, and torque delivery versus the prior unit.
Why it’s overdue: Tesla’s lineup needed a clearer performance and efficiency step forward that wasn’t just a software unlock. New hardware is the kind of upgrade that usually feeds into broader trims over time.
4) FSD v12: The Long-Promised “Big Rewrite”
FSD v12 was the update people heard about forever, and it began rolling out as a real architecture shift: Tesla moved city-streets driving to an end-to-end neural network trained on video, replacing a large amount of hand-coded logic.
Why it’s overdue: Tesla has been promising a step-change in driving behavior for years. v12 is one of the clearest signs Tesla changed the foundation rather than stacking more rules on top.
5) Actually Smart Summon Returning (and Expanding)
Summon has always been a Tesla party trick, but there was a long stretch where owners felt like it was “missing” or limited. Tesla’s 2024.44.x update line brought “Actually Smart Summon” back into the conversation and continued rolling it out to additional regions.
Why it’s overdue: owners care about features they can use in the real world, not just demos. Summon is exactly the type of feature that needs to be consistent and dependable to matter.
6) Next Year’s Overdue Question: Will the Refresh Also Mean Better Batteries?
The refreshed Model Y Performance coverage suggests Tesla is continuing to evolve the fundamentals too, including battery and motor hardware. Road & Track notes an 81-kWh battery with higher energy density and motors shared with the revised Model 3 Performance.
Why it’s overdue: range, charging experience, and efficiency are where Tesla wins or loses long-term, especially as EV competition tightens.
The Quick Take
The past year has been Tesla finally delivering on some “about time” updates: a real refresh path for its highest-volume vehicle, a meaningful Model 3 reboot, actual powertrain (motor/drive-unit) upgrades, and big shifts in autonomy software. Next year’s story is whether Tesla turns those changes into more refinement at scale and more tangible value for everyday buyers.
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