Tesla Model S and Model X Spotted with Minor Design and Feature Updates

Tesla’s flagship Model S and Model X vehicles, which have seen declining sales in recent years, are reportedly receiving mild design and feature updates. Prototypes of the refreshed models have been spotted in California, confirming earlier statements from Tesla in February about a planned refresh for later this year.

Key Updates Observed

The observed updates are relatively minor, focusing on functional improvements and interior aesthetics:

• Front Bumper Camera: The most significant addition is a new camera integrated into the front bumper. Industry observers have frequently highlighted the need for this feature to address existing blind spots in Tesla’s camera array, particularly for detecting potholes and smaller obstacles on the road. This camera was previously implemented on the Cybercab (unveiled in October 2024) and the updated Model Y.
• Ambient Lighting: Blue tape on the prototypes suggests the addition of light strips inside the Model S and Model X, similar to the RGB ambient lighting introduced in the Model 3 and Model Y over the past year.
• Subtle Exterior Tweaks: There are slight updates to the front-end and rear diffuser. A Model S Plaid prototype spotted on the Nurburgring race track also showed slight camouflage on its front and rear bumpers, corroborating these minor design changes.
• New 20-inch Wheels: The Model X prototypes were seen with new 20-inch wheel designs.

These updates mark the first significant refresh for the Model S and Model X since 2021.

Sales Context for Model S and Model X

The Model S and Model X programs have experienced a decline in sales. Tesla no longer reports their sales figures individually; instead, they are grouped with the Cybertruck and Tesla Semi under an “other models” category. In Q1 2025, this combined category reported 12,881 vehicle deliveries. While unconfirmed, some outlets estimated around 6,400 Cybertruck deliveries in Q1, suggesting the Model S and Model X constitute a smaller portion of these “other models” sales. Globally, Model S/X sales were estimated to be below 50,000 units in 2024.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously stated in 2021 that these models are continued “more for sentimental reasons than anything else,” acknowledging their low volume and minor importance to the company’s future. However, Lars Moravy, VP of Vehicle Engineering, confirmed earlier this year that the S and X would receive “some love” before the end of 2025, implying updates to align them with features seen in the higher-volume Model 3 and Model Y.

Teasing a New Factory Paint Color

In addition to the design and feature updates, Tesla appears to be teasing a brand new factory paint color. A prototype of the refreshed Model S was spotted in California with a noticeably different hue. While initially speculated to be a wrap, Ryan Levenson of The Kilowatts, a former Tesla employee, confirmed it is indeed a factory paint color. This new blue color is described as quite different from anything Tesla has previously offered in the US and is relatively similar to “Glacier Blue,” a color Tesla launched in Asia. Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s Chief Designer, had previously discussed bringing a blue color that adds “a little bit of personality” to the US palette, noting blue is a popular color. This potential new color would offer a refreshing addition to Tesla’s generally basic paint options in the US market.