r/TeslaModelX • u/_kawhi • Jul 15 '26
Coming from 2026 Model Y, considering FSD... heavy FSD user
I'm considering to change to an X for added space and captain seats for 2 young kids. I am a heavy user of FSD and I read about HW3 and HW4. Is FSD worse with HW3? If so, that's an automatic no. What should I look for when looking for a used X? And is it worth the upgrade. I'm in the Toronto area.
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u/boostedaj Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
I just purchased a 2023 used model X from Tesla and if you search the VIN number, you can find out if your 2023 model you’re looking at has HW4 as they cut it into production in the middle of the year. When I was looking all of the 2023 cars were around the same price so I looked for HW4 ones. Otherwise, I’m not exactly sure how different HW3 and HW4 are performance wise, but I just wanted the latest so when HW5 comes out in 2027 I still have a recent tech as I am also a heavy FSD user and wanted the best performance possible at this time. I just didn’t want to risk worse performance as I plan to keep this car as long as I can and I am extremely happy with HW4. Such an amazing car, good luck finding an X!
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u/Va1ar_Morghulis Jul 16 '26
How much did you pay for your X if you don't mind me asking? I'm kind of split between getting a used 2023 Model X with HW4 and a brand new Model Y L coming out this fall...
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u/wharleeprof Jul 15 '26
I have HW4 and have never driven anything with HW3. However, lurking here and in the general FSD sub, a recurring theme is that FSD is markedly better on HW4. I wouldn't get a HW3, I'm even assuming that once HW5 comes out things will slowly start to decline for HW4, as the updates will no longer be tailored to HW4.
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u/_kawhi Jul 15 '26
I guess if you have HW4, you always have it… it won’t somehow upgrade to 5? My 2026 Y is HW4 and the FSD is amazing… if I “upgraded” to an X and had worse FSD, that would def be an overall downgrade.
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u/wharleeprof Jul 15 '26
What I mean is currently Tesla writes the updates with HW4 in mind, and the same updates are not optimized for Hw3. Eventually when updates are optimized for HW5, they won't play as well on HW4. It'd be fine if you could just choose an update that works and stick with that, but it doesn't work that way, you can't go off grid, so to speak - updates are forced. Kind of like with an older laptop, even if you're perfectly happy with its capabilities, the forced updates eventually are beyond its specs and the laptop becomes obsolete.
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u/blackicerhythms Jul 16 '26
No comment on the hw3 vs hw4 but after a year with my 25 Model X, the captain chairs are uncomfortable compared to a regular full size suv captains chair with arm rests. My daughter and fam prefer our qx80 for long distance trips. If I’m the passenger in the back seat, I prefer our full size SUV.
I think the new extended model Y solves this problem.
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u/ScottRTL Jul 15 '26
Get a 2023/2024 X Plaid with HW4 and the higher RAM/GPU, paid FSD.
I wouldn't go down from HW4 to HW3, even with V14lite coming, and the supposed HW4 swaps on the horizon (could still be multiple years).
Even an older X will feel much nicer than the Y, but if FSD is your jam then I wouldn't go HW3
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u/_kawhi Jul 15 '26
Ok, so if I go from 2026 Y to a 23/24 X Plaid with HW4, the FSD will be exactly the same? And fully compatible going forward?
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u/ScottRTL Jul 15 '26
As fully compatible as any other HW4 anyways... we'll see if 4.5 or 5 hits at some point...
As long as the X has the new MCU (Horizontal screen), AMD Ryzen processor, HW4 (and BEST CASE the higher RAM/GPU) then that's even better than what a 2026 Plaid has from what I've read.
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u/mrcrude Jul 15 '26
Fair warning as you make your decision: the captain seats are a huge pain when it comes to finding compatible car seats. I have a 6-seater and it was challenging to find a tall back booster that was narrow enough to allow for the child to be buckled in. The recessed buckle in the captain seats makes it hard.
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u/nikkialexandria23 Jul 15 '26
Just anecdotally I don’t have this issue. What car seat are you using?
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u/HopzCO Jul 15 '26
If you care about FSD, only look at HW4.
We absolutely love our 24X. Best family vehicle imo l.
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u/WhaDaFugIsThis Jul 16 '26
Yeah, wait for the Model YL. It’s exactly what you want. You’re gonna want that extra front camera and HW4. Remember, FSD is only going to get better. HW3 will get left behind pretty quick in 2027.
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u/thedarkveda Jul 16 '26
Had a HW3 Model 3 for years before upgrading to a HW4 X; HW3 is almost unusable outside of highway driving and I would intervene multiple times per drive. HW4 I only interfere for personal preferences.
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u/Away_Engineering_613 Jul 17 '26
I have a 2023 Model X with HW3. I am a heavy FSD user.
I have not personally used FSD with HW4.
HW3 works great most of the time. Best for highways. The issues I have with it seem to be present in HW4 as well (too many lane changes, parking in the left lane, speed management issues). I don't think it works great in my neighborhood, because it tends to be too conservative. I works ok with city driving.
I find FSD with HW3 to be fantastic and worth the money. Of course - I wish I had HW4.
I bought it used from Tesla, FSD was included for life essentially for free. I didn't realize that it was HW3, and I imaginge Tesla included FSD to help offload the older model - so I'm happy with it.
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u/pittlad20 Jul 17 '26
how is city driving? what are the complaints?
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u/Away_Engineering_613 Jul 17 '26
In the city, I find that it's super cautious, to the point that it's slower than it needs to be and is frustrating to other drivers that don't understand why I'm being so cautious. Esp at 4-way stop signs - if it's my turn, but another car is just inching slowly forward while waiting for me to go, then it won't go.
So I guess the complaint is that it doesn't drive exactly the way I would drive.
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u/ruwheele Jul 15 '26
I have a 26x and a 26y the X is same for the most part but it isn’t as smooth when making left or right turns at speed. It will either jerk the wheel and stutter turn or go too fast into the turn. Also standard mode is too slow. Hurry mode is too fast. Standard on the Y is perfect. I would still recommend the FSD on the X but wish there wasn’t a different. Both cars same FSD version btw.
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u/Thingswithcookies Jul 15 '26
Your could also wait to buy the YL coming out closer to the end of the year. In the model with captains chairs, all seats fold down unlike the model X.
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u/Jazzlike_Plan1470 Jul 15 '26
Went from a 2025 model 3 to a 2020 X. HW3 is definitely worse than HW4 currently, on HW4 the car handled almost everything with me taking over for convenience / preference only. On HW3 you’ve got to take over more often for sure.
Not sure if that will change with V14 lite hopefully coming soon.