Tesla’s FSD in China: A Wild Ride Through the Chaos

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) is finally hitting the streets of China, and let’s just say—it’s got guts. But is it ready for the relentless, anything-goes reality of Chinese traffic? A real-world test drive of a Tesla Model Y with the latest AI 4.0 hardware puts it to the test, and the results are equal parts impressive and eyebrow-raising.

The Good: Smooth Moves & Courteous Driving

First off, credit where it’s due—this thing can merge like a seasoned local. The Model Y smoothly enters traffic, checking its surroundings and making calculated moves instead of those jarring, last-second lurches we sometimes see in earlier versions. When it comes to lane changes and basic navigation, Tesla’s FSD in China is already showing signs of being a confident, considerate driver.

The Bad: Bike Lanes? What Bike Lanes?

And then… there’s the bike lane situation. If FSD had a blind spot, this might be it. Throughout the test, the system seemed to struggle with recognizing bike lanes, occasionally treating them like extra turning lanes or just ignoring them entirely. Given China’s massive reliance on electric scooters and bicycles, that’s a big issue. A self-driving system that doesn’t fully grasp how bike lanes work isn’t going to win over regulators—or the public—anytime soon.

The Weird: A Mind of Its Own

There were moments where FSD made choices that felt… questionable. Like deciding to take a right turn while the navigation clearly instructed it to go straight. Or sitting at an intersection for two full light cycles before finally making a U-turn. It’s not outright failing, but there’s hesitation where there shouldn’t be, and boldness where caution would be wiser. The balance isn’t quite there yet.

So, Is Tesla FSD Ready for China?

In terms of capability, Tesla’s FSD in China isn’t far off from what we see in the U.S. version—but it still needs work. Traffic in China is a different beast, with more unpredictable elements, tighter spaces, and a higher density of scooters and bikes. The software isn’t bad—in fact, it’s surprisingly solid—but it’s clear that Tesla still has some tuning to do before it can truly navigate China’s streets with confidence.

One thing is certain: Tesla isn’t backing down from the challenge. And if history tells us anything, FSD will keep improving at a breakneck pace. The real question is—will regulators and the public trust it enough to let it thrive?

Want to see the test in action? Check out the video in its original language here: https://v.douyin.com/i596YQKd/