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Tesla Model 3 and Model S heated seats compared in temperature test showdown
One of the best things about Tesla’s vehicles is their capability to improve over time. Through over-the-air updates, Tesla’s electric cars receive safety enhancements, fun Easter Eggs, new convenience features, and even additional driver-assist capabilities free of charge. These improvements have been particularly notable in the Model 3, as the vehicle has progressively gotten better since it started rolling off the assembly line back in July 2017.
The Tesla Model 3 is the company’s most affordable vehicle today, with its range-topping Performance variant costing less than a Model S 100D. Since it was released, several improvements to the vehicle have been rolled out, from shorter braking distances (courtesy of Consumer Reports) to rear seat warmers. In the case of the latter, the warmers were even a point of discussion among Tesla owners prior to their activation, considering that the feature was absent on the vehicle when it was initially delivered to reservation holders.
By March last year, though, Tesla introduced heated rear seats for the Model 3, making the feature universal for all the cars in its lineup. Last December, Tesla released an update that made seat heating even more convenient, allowing owners to activate and set their vehicles’ seat warmers from the mobile app. For the company’s flagship cars — the Model S and Model X — even the steering wheel heaters could be activated from the Tesla app.
Inasmuch as the heated seats of the Model 3 are a welcome feature, though, it is still quite interesting to see how it stacks up against the excellent seat heaters in the more premium, albeit older, Model S. Having both cars, Tesla owner-enthusiast Erik Strait opted to conduct a test to compare the Model 3 and Model S’ seat heaters using a FLIR thermal camera. Needless to say, the test results were quite compelling.
As could be seen in the video, the Model 3’s heaters actually work well. Five minutes after activating the feature on the app, the Model 3’s seat heaters registered 73.3 degrees Fahrenheit on the back and 81.5 F on the bottom. That’s not too far from the Model S, which registered 69.2 degrees Fahrenheit on the back and 84.6 F at the bottom after 5 minutes of activation.
That said, the Model S’ heaters appear to have an advantage over the Model 3, thanks to the distribution of heat on the seat itself. The Model 3’s seat heater is pretty straightforward, with the changes in temperature being centered on the areas directly above the heating element. Thus, while the center portions of the seat warmed up well, other portions such as the sides remained noticeably cooler. The Model S’s heating element, on the other hand, appeared to be well-distributed, resulting in a more even temperature across the entire seat.
There would be more improvements coming to the Model 3 and Model S in the coming months. In the case of the flagship sedan, speculations are high that Tesla might update the vehicles’ batteries to newer, larger 2170 cells, which the company is using for the Model 3. With 2170 cells and more advanced cooling systems, the Model S would be even more impressive than it is today, despite being a benchmark for premium electric vehicles for years.
Watch Erik’s comparison of the Tesla Model 3 and the Model S’ seat heaters in the video below.
Elon Musk
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX has issued an initial statement about Starship Booster 18’s anomaly early Friday. The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX’s initial comment
As per SpaceX in a post on its official account on social media platform X, Booster 18 was undergoing gas system pressure tests when the anomaly happened. Despite the nature of the incident, the company emphasized that no propellant was loaded, no engines were installed, and personnel were kept at a safe distance from the booster, resulting in zero injuries.
“Booster 18 suffered an anomaly during gas system pressure testing that we were conducting in advance of structural proof testing. No propellant was on the vehicle, and engines were not yet installed. The teams need time to investigate before we are confident of the cause. No one was injured as we maintain a safe distance for personnel during this type of testing. The site remains clear and we are working plans to safely reenter the site,” SpaceX wrote in its post on X.
Incident and aftermath
Livestream footage from LabPadre showed Booster 18’s lower half crumpling around the liquid oxygen tank area at approximately 4:04 a.m. CT. Subsequent images posted by on-site observers revealed extensive deformation across the booster’s lower structure. Needless to say, spaceflight observers have noted that Booster 18 would likely be a complete loss due to its anomaly.
Booster 18 had rolled out only a day earlier and was one of the first vehicles in the Starship V3 program. The V3 series incorporates structural reinforcements and reliability upgrades intended to prepare Starship for rapid-reuse testing and eventual tower-catch operations. Elon Musk has been optimistic about Starship V3, previously noting on X that the spacecraft might be able to complete initial missions to Mars.
Investor's Corner
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) received fresh support from Piper Sandler this week after analysts toured the Fremont Factory and tested the company’s latest Full Self-Driving software. The firm reaffirmed its $500 price target, stating that FSD V14 delivered a notably smooth robotaxi demonstration and may already perform at levels comparable to, if not better than, average human drivers.
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Analysts highlight autonomy progress
During more than 75 minutes of focused discussions, analysts reportedly focused on FSD v14’s updates. Piper Sandler’s team pointed to meaningful strides in perception, object handling, and overall ride smoothness during the robotaxi demo.
The visit also included discussions on updates to Tesla’s in-house chip initiatives, its Optimus program, and the growth of the company’s battery storage business. Analysts noted that Tesla continues refining cost structures and capital expenditure expectations, which are key elements in future margin recovery, as noted in a Yahoo Finance report.
Analyst Alexander Potter noted that “we think FSD is a truly impressive product that is (probably) already better at driving than the average American.” This conclusion was strengthened by what he described as a “flawless robotaxi ride to the hotel.”
Street targets diverge on TSLA
While Piper Sandler stands by its $500 target, it is not the highest estimate on the Street. Wedbush, for one, has a $600 per share price target for TSLA stock.
Other institutions have also weighed in on TSLA stock as of late. HSBC reiterated a Reduce rating with a $131 target, citing a gap between earnings fundamentals and the company’s market value. By contrast, TD Cowen maintained a Buy rating and a $509 target, pointing to strong autonomous driving demonstrations in Austin and the pace of software-driven improvements.
Stifel analysts also lifted their price target for Tesla to $508 per share over the company’s ongoing robotaxi and FSD programs.
Elon Musk
SpaceX Starship Version 3 booster crumples in early testing
Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
SpaceX’s new Starship first-stage booster, Booster 18, suffered major damage early Friday during its first round of testing in Starbase, Texas, just one day after rolling out of the factory.
Based on videos of the incident, the lower section of the rocket booster appeared to crumple during a pressurization test. Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
Booster test failure
SpaceX began structural and propellant-system verification tests on Booster 18 Thursday night at the Massey’s Test Site, only a few miles from Starbase’s production facilities, as noted in an Ars Technica report. At 4:04 a.m. CT on Friday, a livestream from LabPadre Space captured the booster’s lower half experiencing a sudden destructive event around its liquid oxygen tank section. Post-incident images, shared on X by @StarshipGazer, showed notable deformation in the booster’s lower structure.
Neither SpaceX nor Elon Musk had commented as of Friday morning, but the vehicle’s condition suggests it is likely a complete loss. This is quite unfortunate, as Booster 18 is already part of the Starship V3 program, which includes design fixes and upgrades intended to improve reliability. While SpaceX maintains a rather rapid Starship production line in Starbase, Booster 18 was generally expected to validate the improvements implemented in the V3 program.
Tight deadlines
SpaceX needs Starship boosters and upper stages to begin demonstrating rapid reuse, tower catches, and early operational Starlink missions over the next two years. More critically, NASA’s Artemis program depends on an on-orbit refueling test in the second half of 2026, a requirement for the vehicle’s expected crewed lunar landing around 2028.
While SpaceX is known for diagnosing failures quickly and returning to testing at unmatched speed, losing the newest-generation booster at the very start of its campaign highlights the immense challenge involved in scaling Starship into a reliable, high-cadence launch system. SpaceX, however, is known for getting things done quickly, so it would not be a surprise if the company manages to figure out what happened to Booster 18 in the near future.
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
