We recently reported on an update from Tesla’s VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, confirming that the refreshed Model Y will feature adaptive headlights, including matrix headlight functionality.
Although Tesla has already enabled adaptive headlights in Europe and other regions, North American owners still do not have the feature due to different standards.
In an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage (video below), Lars mentioned that adaptive headlights are just a few months away in the U.S. and that many Tesla vehicles already have the necessary hardware—it’s simply a matter of enabling the feature via software.
Matrix or adaptive headlights selectively dim individual pixels, which greatly improves road safety by better illuminating the road for Tesla drivers and reducing blinding lights for oncoming traffic.
Two Months Away
Lars has now confirmed on X that Tesla has received regulatory approval for matrix headlights in the United States and that the hard part is now over. The company will begin rolling out adaptive headlights, starting with the new Model Y, and then expand it to the rest of their vehicles that have matrix headlights.
Rivian and Mercedes-Benz have already rolled out full matrix headlight systems in North America, putting Tesla slightly behind as it works on its own implementation.
Canada and Mexico
Unlike in the U.S., Tesla won’t face regulatory hurdles in Canada and Mexico, where adaptive headlights and matrix functionality were approved several years earlier. Once Tesla ensures compliance with local guidelines, enabling the feature should be a straightforward process.
High-Resolution vs Low-Resolution
Tesla first introduced matrix headlights with a high-resolution LED matrix headlight, allowing precise control over individual pixels. Over time, they transitioned to a lower-resolution version of the same system. While the headlights can no longer project things like “TESLA” during a light show, they’re likely cheaper to produce.
Whether your vehicle has the original high-resolution matrix headlights or the newer low-resolution version, once Tesla enables the feature, the experience should be similar.
You can check our guide to determine if your vehicle has matrix headlights.
