Tesla Has No Gauge Cluster: The 7 Best Instrument Cluster & HUD Upgrades for Model 3 and Model Y
Drive a Model 3 or Model Y and you will notice something missing on the very first trip: a speedometer in front of you. Speed, battery, and warnings all live on the center touchscreen, so every glance costs you a look away from the road. These seven instrument clusters and HUDs put that information back where it belongs — at every budget from $59 to $459.
Why Tesla removed the gauge cluster
Tesla bet that one big screen could do everything, and for a lot of tasks it can. But the decision to delete the instrument cluster remains one of the most debated choices in the Model 3 and Model Y. There is no display behind the steering wheel at all — no speedometer, no charge gauge, no turn-signal indicator in your line of sight. Instead, everything is rendered on the center screen, which forces you to glance sideways, away from the road, every time you want to check your speed.
The aftermarket noticed immediately. Within a year of the Model 3 launch, a whole category of products appeared to fill the gap: heads-up displays that project speed onto the windshield, slim screens that tuck behind the wheel, and full instrument clusters that mirror everything a traditional car would show. In 2026 the category has matured into a clear three-tier ladder, and the products below are the ones worth your money. For most owners, restoring a proper speedometer is not a cosmetic tweak — it is a genuine safety upgrade, because the less time your eyes spend off the road, the safer every drive becomes.
HUD vs dashboard display vs instrument cluster
Before the list, know the three form factors, because they fit different needs. A heads-up display (HUD) is the smallest and cheapest option — a slim panel or reflective lens that shows speed and a few alerts at the base of your windshield, keeping your eyes up. A dashboard display is a small touchscreen mounted behind the steering wheel that shows speed and vehicle data and, on most units, runs CarPlay and Android Auto. An instrument cluster is the premium version of that idea: a wider screen with more data, a more polished look, and full CarPlay integration. Think of them as glance, glance-plus, and full cockpit.
Quick answer: Want the cheapest speed fix? Get a $59 HUD. Want speed plus CarPlay on a dedicated screen? Get an 8.8" or 8.9" display. Want the full factory feel? Step up to the 10.88" display or the 9.66" instrument cluster.
Budget HUDs: speed at eye level from $59
If your only complaint is "I keep looking sideways to check my speed," a HUD is the answer, and it is the least money you can spend to fix it. Grundig makes three at this end of the ladder.
The Mini HUD ($59) is an embedded LCD speedometer that tucks into the air-vent gap on Model 3 (2019–2023) and Model Y (2021–2024). At 1.8 cm thick it does not block the vents, and it plugs straight into the factory harness to show speed, gear, and alerts right in your line of sight. The HUD T10 ($89) adds automatic synchronization with the car's data. The 3D Reflection Gauge HUD ($89) projects a floating speed readout, battery display, and GPS data for a more traditional heads-up feel.
These are not CarPlay screens and they are not touchscreens. They do one thing — put driving data in front of you — and they do it cheaply. For a commuter who simply wants a speedometer back, this is the fastest, lowest-cost upgrade.
Grundig Mini HUD — Embedded LCD Speedometer
Ultra-slim 1.8cm display that tucks into the air-vent gap. Shows speed and alerts at eye level without blocking airflow.
Mid-tier dashboard displays: 8.8" and 8.9"
The next step up is a real touchscreen behind the wheel, and this is where the category gets interesting, because these screens do two jobs at once. They show speed, battery, and gear like a HUD — and they run CarPlay and Android Auto, wirelessly or wired, so navigation and music live on a dedicated panel instead of competing with your center screen.
The 8.8" Dashboard Display ($235) is the value pick. It fits Model 3 (2019–2023) and Model Y (2019–2024) and brings CarPlay and Android Auto plus live vehicle data in a compact screen. The 8.9" Dashboard Display ($255) adds Highland (Model 3 2024+) and Juniper (Model Y 2025+) compatibility and a slightly larger panel, so it is the right choice for newer cars. Both keep the original air ducts intact and mount without cutting or drilling.
This tier is the sweet spot for most owners: a real speedometer in your line of sight, plus CarPlay, for less than the cost of a single dealer visit.
8.9" Dashboard Display — CarPlay & Android Auto
Touchscreen speedometer with CarPlay for Model 3 Highland and Model Y Juniper, plus older Model 3/Y.
A flagship display turns the Model Y's empty dash into a full cockpit with speed, data, and CarPlay.
Flagship clusters: 10.88" and 9.66"
At the top of the ladder are the two screens that make a Tesla finally feel like a fully equipped car. The 10.88" Touchscreen Dashboard Display ($330) is the biggest option — a wide, high-resolution panel with wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and live vehicle data, available for Model 3 and Model Y across Highland and Juniper in both left- and right-hand drive.
The 9.66" Digital Instrument Cluster ($459) is the most complete package. It shows speed, battery, tire pressure, temperature, turn signals, and seatbelt status directly behind the wheel, and adds full-screen wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. If you came from a car with a traditional instrument cluster, this is the unit that closes the gap entirely — every number is where you expect it, and your center screen stays free for everything else.
10.88" Touchscreen Dashboard Display
The biggest screen in the lineup. Wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and live vehicle data for Model 3/Y, Highland & Juniper.
Grundig Digital Instrument Cluster 9.66" with CarPlay
Full gauge cluster behind the wheel: speed, battery, tire pressure, turn signals — plus full-screen CarPlay.
All seven, side by side
| Model | Price | Type | CarPlay | Touch | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini HUD | $59 | HUD (LCD) | No | No | Model 3 2019–23, Model Y 2021–24 |
| HUD T10 | $89 | HUD (sync) | No | No | Model 3, Model Y |
| 3D Reflection HUD | $89 | HUD (reflective) | No | No | Model 3 2019+, Model Y 2019+ |
| 8.8" Display | $235 | Dashboard display | Yes | Yes | Model 3 2019–23, Model Y 2019–24 |
| 8.9" Display | $255 | Dashboard display | Yes | Yes | Model 3 2019–23 + Highland, Model Y + Juniper |
| 10.88" Display | $330 | Dashboard display | Yes | Yes | Model 3/Y, Highland & Juniper (LHD & RHD) |
| 9.66" Cluster | $459 | Instrument cluster | Yes | Yes | Model 3/Y, Highland & Juniper (LHD & RHD) |
Before you buy: LHD vs RHD and model-year fitment
This is the detail that separates a smooth upgrade from an expensive return, so give it thirty seconds. Tesla has now refreshed both cars — the Model 3 Highland and the Model Y Juniper — and their dashboards are not the same shape as the older models. A display built for a 2019–2023 Model 3 will not fit a 2024+ Highland, and the Juniper has its own mounting geometry. The Grundig listings spell out the exact year ranges, so match yours before you order.
The second check is your steering position. Some screens are left-hand-drive only, while the newest units support both LHD and RHD. If you are in the UK, Australia, Japan, or another right-hand-drive market, this single spec decides whether the screen even mounts correctly. Most older Model 3 and Model Y units are LHD-only, so a right-hand-drive owner should specifically look for a dual-drive or RHD listing. If anything is unclear, message support with your model, year, and steering side and let them confirm fitment before you pay.
It is worth repeating because it is the number one reason these products get returned: a ten-second fitment check up front beats a restocking fee and a two-week wait for the right unit. Confirm the model, the model year, and the steering side, and the rest of the install is straightforward.
Install in 30–45 minutes
Every screen in this lineup is plug-and-play, which means no cutting, no splicing, and no permanent change to the car. The typical install runs about 30 to 45 minutes: power the vehicle down through the safety menu, pull back the door seal and remove the dashboard end cap with a plastic trim tool, find the factory diagnostic or CAN-bus port, connect the included daisy-chain harness, mount the screen, and tuck the cables into the dash gaps. Each kit ships with a manual and video, and because the process is reversible, you can pull the screen and return the car to stock whenever you want.
The only variation is the HUDs, which are even easier. The slim Mini HUD and the reflective HUDs connect through the factory port and sit in the vent gap or on the dash without any dashboard disassembly — typically a ten-minute job. If you have never modified a car before, these are about as forgiving as it gets.
How to pick the right one
Work from what you miss most. If it is only the speedometer, a $59–89 HUD is all you need and the cheapest fix you will make on the car. If you also want CarPlay and Android Auto on a dedicated screen, jump to the 8.8" or 8.9" display — the 8.9" if you own a Highland or Juniper. If you want the closest thing to a factory instrument cluster, the 10.88" display or the 9.66" cluster is the endgame.
A practical rule of thumb: commuters buy the HUD, iPhone users buy the 8.9" display, and anyone who wants the full cockpit buys the 9.66" cluster. Every option is plug-and-play and reversible, so you can start small and move up without losing your investment.
The bottom line
Your Tesla is missing a gauge cluster — but you do not have to accept it. From a $59 HUD to a $459 instrument cluster with CarPlay, there is a screen for every budget that puts speed and driving data back in your line of sight, where they belong.
FAQ
Why is there no speedometer in front of the driver in a Tesla?
Tesla deliberately removed the instrument cluster on the Model 3 and Model Y as part of its minimalist design, moving all data to the center touchscreen. It is a design choice, not a defect — but it is one of the most common complaints owners have, which is why aftermarket displays and HUDs are so popular.
What is the difference between a HUD and an instrument cluster?
A HUD is a small, usually non-touch display that shows speed and a few alerts at the base of the windshield. An instrument cluster is a larger touchscreen behind the steering wheel that shows more data and typically adds CarPlay and Android Auto. HUDs start around $59; clusters run from $235 to $459.
Do these displays block the air vents?
No. Quality displays like the Grundig units are designed to preserve the original air ducts and vent airflow. The slim HUDs in particular are under 2 cm thick and fit into the vent gap without blocking it.
Will a display fit the new Highland or Juniper models?
Only units made for them. The Highland Model 3 and Juniper Model Y have different dashboard shapes, so pre-refresh screens do not fit. The Grundig 8.9", 10.88", and 9.66" units list Highland and Juniper compatibility explicitly, including left- and right-hand-drive options.
Will I lose any Tesla features after installing a display?
No. These screens tap into the factory data feed and add a second display — they do not replace or disable anything on your center screen. Your navigation, media, Autopilot, and app controls all keep working exactly as before, while the new panel simply shows the data in front of you.
Is installation difficult?
No. These are plug-and-play kits that connect through the factory harness. Most installs take 30 to 45 minutes with basic trim tools, and every kit ships with a manual and video. No cutting, splicing, or permanent modification is required.
Put your speed back where it belongs. Browse the full range of Tesla HUDs and instrument clusters at Grundig Auto — plug-and-play, reversible, and built for Model 3, Model Y, Highland, and Juniper.