<aside> 🗒️ Note: Tesla is able to send over the air updates to their cars that may remedy issues highlighted in this post. As of this writing, V11 2022.4.5.3 is the most recent version running on the author’s Model 3.

V11’s design update affects all Model 3, Y, and 2021 and beyond Model S and X’s.

</aside>

V11 via Tesla’s tutorial videos

The Gist

Tesla is on another planet when it comes to how refined and capable their vehicle’s infotainment systems are. Since 2012’s Model S, Tesla owners have had the unique luxury of getting continuous software updates that added more features over time.

Nine years later December 2021’s V11 update resulted in a sleeker, simplified UI that resulted in a far less practical design as it buried basic functionality behind multiple menus.

Given Tesla’s minimalist design resulting in very few physical controls, most vehicle controls live on the center touchscreen. A less usable interface makes for a tougher driving experience. Many Tesla owners have taken notice of this.

After two months of use, this author reaffirms his initials thoughts: V11 takes a big step back in basic usability because of its minimalist design choices.

There’s three primary issues with V11’s design:

1. Burying numerous, previously glanceable and reachable items into menus such as “Quick” Controls requiring extra taps, and removing heated seats and defrost controls from the bottom bar
2. Ergonomics, or lack thereof, for the new alerts and gestures that are blocked by the steering wheel
3. Homogenized UI from previously distinguished buttons/actions, making for a greater cognitive load from the driver to distinguish between a grid of buttons

Context

As a first for the auto industry, since 2012 Tesla can update their vehicles over the internet. No dealership service center needed! Ten years later, Tesla still has a significant lead over the traditional auto industry on their infotainment software (and battery + drivetrain tech for now). Some new features created over the years include:

• Using the Autopilot cameras as dashcams
• Navigating through streetlights and stop signs on Autopilot
• Semiautonomous lane changing and highway exit ramps
• Cheetah mode launch stance for performance Model S
• Stream Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Disney+ while parked
• An arcade-worth of classic and new video games playable while parked