Tesla Unveils Cheaper Versions of Its Model 3 and Model Y

3 months ago

5 replies

How is CarPlay / Android Auto superior to Tesla well integrated infotainment system?

3 months ago

1 reply

You can use almost any app, not just apps that Tesla have deemed worthy (or removed due to childish feuds, like Disney+). Podcast apps, music streaming apps, etc...

3 months ago

2 replies

IIRC Tesla has Disney+ too, an if it doesn't, you have a Chromium browser. Of course you can't use it while driving, but passengers on the back sit should be able to use the streaming services even when the car is moving.

For podcast apps, IIRC Apple Music and for sure Spotify are supported. Still not convinced that Android Auto / CarPlay is superior, sorry.

3 months ago

1 reply

Even if Disney+ has been restored for everyone (I don't know if it has), any app could be removed by a manchild for any reason and that's unacceptable: https://apple.news/A8If_BNgyS-mqPcq25GK-Rw

I use neither Apple Music nor Spotify and I'm not alone.

3 months ago

1 reply

You literally have Chromium, I'm failing to see where the problem is tbh.

Sure, having a native app is better, but in any case the Netflix and Disney+ apps are nothing than a Chromium wrapped app anyways on the infotainment

3 months ago

Yeah this is a waste of time for sure.

3 months ago

These fake Tesla apps don't stay logged in. There's no Face ID or Touch ID so you have to constantly re-authenticate.

3 months ago

1 reply

When I plug in my iPhone, the Maps is integrated with my Calendar. For example if my Calendar entries have a Location, I can simply tap on it to navigate there.

Just one example.

3 months ago

IIRC the same happens with Tesla. You don't even have to tap to navigate, it automatically sets the destination based on the calendar entries.

I'm saying IIRC because I never used this feature, just read about it - I don't sync my calendar (yet!)

guywithahat

3 months ago

1 reply

It's not, it's just superior to what Nissan had before integrating apple carplay/android auto. It's so much nicer being able to interact with both my actual car and my phone through the screen, instead of just playing with my phone on a larger screen.

1. https://www.nissanusa.com/shopping-tools/search-inventory?mo...

3 months ago

Oh yes, I'm sure it's far superior than most, if not all, standard car infotainment systems (that are known to be laggy and their UIs look like they've been built in 2008).

fnicfnac

3 months ago

The eternal pattern of the industry is that a automanufacturer has negative interest in remaining interested in an infotainment system in a car they sold several years ago and retrofit makers provide less specifically integrated systems that win overall because developments in everything else amounts to more than the integration.

Marsymars

3 months ago

Well I have some audiobooks downloaded to my phone. The progress is saved on my phone, and because they're downloaded I don't need cell service to listen to them. I just did a 3000 km road trip with intermittent cell service, using an app on my phone via Android Auto to play my audiobook files, and was able to easily transition to hotel rooms with speakers, and different vehicles, and continue the books where they'd been paused.

How would that even work in a Tesla?

vardump

3 months ago

3 replies

Have you used both Tesla and CarPlay?

At least CarPlay is pretty disappointing compared to Tesla's native functionality. The "apps" are all very trivial, mostly reduced to playback control or simple selections.

Not a Tesla owner, but I've driven it enough to appreciate.

slipheen

3 months ago

Just one point of view- but I have used both a decent amount and I drastically prefer CarPlay.

The native apps are … fine?

Again, it’s just my particular perspective, but I really appreciate that any CarPlay vehicle has the exact apps that I set up on my phone, already configured, etc.

There’s nothing Tesla could ever really do to compete with the convenience of already having all of my accounts set up and already having exactly the apps installed that I know I want.

dangus

3 months ago

CarPlay and Android Auto are an insurance policy against any kind of inferior infotainment experience your automaker might provide.

If I’m buying a car I need to know that it’ll meet my needs for 10 years or longer.

If a car has CarPlay/Android Auto I know that my infotainment will evolve with the times and that nothing my automaker does can negatively impact my experience. A new phone will resolve any performance or functionality complaints I have with the system.

For one thing, I’ll point out that many Tesla (or GM) features depend on premium connectivity packages where I’m buying a cellular data package twice for no reason.

For another thing, I’ll point out that smartphone operating systems have a much better privacy policy than car operating systems.

I would much rather my car have a “dumb” CarPlay capable screen than a full blown cellular data-enabled operating system that’s tracking me and sending information to my insurance company.

And let’s not forget that CarPlay/Android Auto can integrate so much better with your life on your phone than a system like Tesla, including texts and calls including alternative calling systems like Signal, Zoom, etc. List out every Spotify competitor and see if they have a Tesla native app or not, because a lot of them don’t or only got one recently (like YouTube music).

If we want some non-scientific evidence for how much consumers want CarPlay, just look at how the Honda Prologue is outselling the Chevy Equinox EV despite being essentially the same car.

FireBeyond

3 months ago

> At least CarPlay is pretty disappointing compared to Tesla's native functionality. The "apps" are all very trivial, mostly reduced to playback control or simple selections.

Huh? What Tesla phone integrations would you characterize differently than "playback control or simple selections"? And what makes them moreso?

ggreer

3 months ago

1 reply

I don't understand the door handle remark. The 2026 Leaf uses flush door handles that are powered by electric motors.

While it's true that the base model Leaf is cheaper, I don't think it's available for sale in the US yet. The cheapest inventory I could find was the SV+ for $36,330.[1] I'm guessing like most car manufacturers launching an updated product, Nissan is rolling out their higher margin versions first and will release the cheaper ones after the holidays.

That said, the Leaf does seem like a competitive product. My only worry would be battery issues. Nissan has recalled almost every Leaf produced in the US from 2019-2022 because fast charging could cause battery fires.[2][3] Nissan claimed they'd issue a software update to fix the issue by November of 2024. That was updated to spring of 2025,[4] but there still hasn't been an update. I guess it's fortunate for owners that CHAdeMO chargers are so rare.

2. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V700-1828.PDF

3. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V655-5278.pdf

4. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCMN-24V700-2544.pdf

java-man

3 months ago

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/tesla-cybe...

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/09/tesla-sued-over-door-handl...

AndroidKitKat

3 months ago

4 replies

These cars exist purely to be a rung in the price ladder to get you to spend $5,000 more on a car with actual features. They did the same thing with the RWD Cybertruck and I don't actually believe they ever shipped any before cancelling it.

If people do end up buying these I really hope they know what they are giving up. Something as simple as "seat controls" were deemed too costly and are now driven by software on the touch screen. I used to give the "software defined car" a bit of leeway on some of the omissions / transition to screen, but these cars are the extreme and I wonder if legislators are going to allow this. For example, I checked on the Tesla Japan and Tesla Europe websites and it doesn't look like these are for sale.

marssaxman

3 months ago

1 reply

That's interesting. The other removed features all sound like things I would prefer not to pay for anyway: from the article on The Verge, "front and rear light bars, panoramic glass roof, power mirror folding, the second row display, and puddle lamps" - what even are "puddle lamps," I've never heard of such a thing? But moving even more ordinary, everyday functions into their already-annoying touchscreen would really irritate me.

It's not likely that I would want to buy a Tesla anyway, though; the design ethos is not for me.

3 months ago

1 reply

Puddle lamps shine light from the bottom of the side mirrors or bottom of the doors to (if they are useful) light up where you put your feet when getting out of the car or (if they are less useful) project your car brand's logo at a much worse position in front of the open door.

marssaxman

3 months ago

Thanks! I have seen those, but didn't know the name.

resfirestar

3 months ago

2 replies

I don't expect most drivers will miss the seat controls. Tesla syncs your seat settings to your profile, so the main drivers never touch the controls, just the passenger. But that's easy for me to say when I already know what driving one is like, this is yet another thing that makes Teslas and EVs intimidating to someone driving one for the first time. Otherwise it doesn't seem like much of a sacrifice for $5k. I like the glass roof but not that much.

3 months ago

2 replies

>> "intimidating"

Seat controls should be on the seat. That's just logical.

iknowstuff

3 months ago

1 reply

What else? Should screen brightness of your phone have a physical slider somewhere by the display? Your computer fan speed?

Why would this one-and-done setting saved per driver profile and synced across yours teslas require physical controls? It’s a nice to have but clearly not a requirement.