Tesla owners can now engage in natural, conversational dialogues with their vehicles thanks to the integration of xAI’s Grok AI assistant.

The feature first arrived with Tesla software update 2025.26 as a beta for vehicles equipped with AMD Ryzen-based infotainment systems. Older Model S and Model X vehicles with Intel Atom processors are not supported.

The Spring 2026 Update later introduced fully hands-free activation, allowing drivers to summon Grok by saying “Hey Grok” and dismiss it with “Goodbye.”

Grok expands the car’s voice capabilities beyond traditional commands. Drivers can ask trivia questions, make conversational navigation requests, get media recommendations, and even select from different AI personalities.

However, Grok does not yet control core vehicle functions such as climate settings, seat heaters, or glovebox operation. Those still rely on Tesla’s standard voice commands.

Full access to Grok’s capabilities, including real-time information, requires either a Premium Connectivity subscription or an active Wi-Fi connection. Limited guest mode is available without a data connection.

The integration represents the deepest collaboration yet between Tesla and xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk in 2023, further tightening the linkage between Musk’s ecosystem of companies.