Tesla released the V11 software update, but user reviews are not good

Tesla recently released a V11 software update that brings some new features and also changes to the user interface.

Owners say the new user interface isn't as good.

Most of the features that the update brings seem to make owners happy, but the car is about more than just a light show. As some car owners have complained on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, YouTube, and Forums, the user experience has changed, but not for the better.

While existing features have not been removed, drivers have to look for them in the menu, which is something that no one wants to do while driving, and no one should do it while driving.

As some drivers have pointed out, all available features should work with voice control, but not all of them will work as required if it is controlled only by voice. We have reported on other issues before. The dimensions and position of the speedometer have been modified.

Luckily, there are some shortcuts, as you can see in the YouTube video embedded below. To take these shortcuts, however, you need to change your habits, "train" your muscle memory, press another point on the screen while driving, and then take your eyes off the road when trying to activate the windshield defroster.

The change puts icons for Tesla malls, toy boxes and theaters on the home screen, taking up space while driving — because they can't be accessed, but drivers prefer that they continue to see trip information on the screen, as well as tire pressure, seat heater controls, and lighting controls. In other words, Tesla has changed too much of what's in its car interface with the V11 software update.

These changes have angered many car owners, who now have to go through several menus or have to learn new shortcuts for the features they use most often.

On a vehicle with a fair number of buttons on one car, this change will involve moving the buttons overnight, as well as changing the icons on some of them, or requiring multiple presses of the button combination to enable a function that only needs to be tapped.

As the legend goes, when designing the first iPod, Steve Jobs insisted that "he could get to where he wanted it in just three clicks." It's a great idea for a handheld music player, but we think it's probably too much to tap three times on the screen when you're driving.

A Tesla Model 3 driver using the "fishers86" username on Reddit asked if there was a way to turn on the seat heater in his vehicle without turning climate control. As Teslaati points out, some owners find the new software with "nice free gimmicks" but "a lot of practical improvements."

The new V11 Tesla software is the first major update introduced after the company's former head of user interface, Pawel Pietryka, left the U.S. company. This happened in April 2021, when the new leader made some interesting design choices, offering a "cleaner" design in some ways, albeit with less than expected ergonomics.

Unfortunately, Tesla doesn't provide manuals for its vehicles that come with software updates, which is why some customers have the right to be upset.

The best part of replacing traditional controls with touchscreens is being able to fix the problems that plague users, but this can be a transactional hurdle for some. The latter part is also understandable, and there will be some concerns when considering buying a used car that uses a pure touchscreen interface instead.