The moment Tesla Cybertruck deliveries began, I found myself amidst a group of curious onlookers eager to get up close with these groundbreaking electric pickups. Two Cybertrucks were present near my workplace: one rented by YouTuber Kyle Conner, and the other owned by Ben Levin, an early adopter fortunate enough to acquire one.
My curiosity piqued, I requested a quick peek inside. The atmosphere was bustling, and a full tour wasn’t possible, which was perfectly fine. The joy of discovering a new vehicle’s intricacies is always exciting. However, the Cybertruck is unlike anything else on four wheels. Noticeably, there are no traditional door handles. And that’s merely the beginning of its unique design.
To enter, I tapped a subtle light on the door pillar, and the door smoothly unlatched. Shortly after settling inside for a look, I was asked to maneuver the truck into a parking space. I obliged. (This brief parking task was the entirety of my initial test drive; I plan a more extensive drive soon and will share a detailed account then).
Where’s the Gear Shift? Navigating the Cybertruck’s Interface
It took me a moment to even figure out how to put it in gear. The immediate challenge? Locating the gear selector. Inside, buttons are absent, as are levers or a traditional shifter. There’s no driver display directly in front of you, nor are there any stalks protruding from the steering column. Instead, turn signals, windshield wipers, and even the high beam controls are integrated as dials directly on the steering wheel.
The only logical place for the gear selector was the central multimedia screen. Depressing the brake pedal in the Tesla Cybertruck powers it on, illuminating an annotated vehicle image on the expansive display. On the screen’s left edge, a vertical line with a truck icon serves as the ‘gear shifter.’ To engage drive, you simply drag the truck icon upwards on the screen; for reverse, drag it downwards. Once understood, the operation was surprisingly intuitive.
Visibility, however, presents another initial challenge. This vehicle creates significant blind spots. Mirrors and the rearview camera are not just helpful—they are essential. Similar to other Tesla models, the roof is constructed from tinted glass, as is the narrow rear window. This configuration, while aesthetically striking, can lead to glare and limited visibility. Furthermore, the tonneau cover, when closed, further restricts the already limited view through the back window, leaving only the truck bed interior visible.
Steer-By-Wire: A Revolution in Truck Handling
Even grasping the steering wheel feels unconventional. It’s a yoke design, flattened at both the top and bottom, reminiscent of an aircraft control. The Cybertruck also incorporates steer-by-wire technology, a fully electronic, computer-controlled steering system. Having previously experienced steer-by-wire in a Lexus RZ prototype, I can attest to its enhanced precision compared to traditional power steering. It offers a video-game-like responsiveness, requiring only minimal steering input even for sharp turns.
Adding to its maneuverability, the Cybertruck features rear-wheel steering capable of up to 7 degrees of articulation. While this might seem a modest angle, it dramatically enhances the handling of this substantial, angular truck, enabling it to effortlessly navigate parking spaces and smoothly handle winding roads.
Once I engaged drive, adjusted the mirrors, and familiarized myself with the rearview display, I began the task of backing up. Truthfully, while I consider myself a competent driver, reversing, especially in an unfamiliar vehicle loaded with novel features, isn’t my favorite task. And doing so in front of a small crowd? The pressure was on to perform flawlessly.
I proceeded cautiously, alternating glances between the rearview camera display and the triangular side mirrors, observing the rear wheels as they turned. The goal was to position the Cybertruck neatly between a Ford F-150 Lightning and a Rivian R1T—vehicles being filmed by Kyle Conner for an upcoming comparison video on his YouTube channel, Out of Spec Reviews. The stakes felt high.
However, the Cybertruck impressed. While steer-by-wire is a notable advancement, the rear-wheel steering proved to be truly exceptional and arguably essential for a vehicle of this size and configuration. The sheer dimensions and unique shape of the Cybertruck could make maneuvering cumbersome, a challenge that rear steering effectively mitigates.
Within moments, the Cybertruck was perfectly nestled between the other two trucks. Its futuristic aesthetic and striking front light bar stood in stark contrast to the more conventional designs flanking it. Parking it was far simpler and more intuitive than I had anticipated.
A Post-Apocalyptic “Man-Cave” Redefined for the Road
I spent a few more moments absorbing the overall experience. The Cybertruck unequivocally embodies its intended purpose: a robust, almost fortress-like space, a “man-cave” engineered for a hypothetical post-apocalyptic world, capable of shielding occupants from debris and hazards while on the move. Or, more practically, making a statement on a routine trip to the grocery store.
The model I explored featured all-weather floor mats, leatherette seating, and a center console equipped with cupholders – because even in a post-apocalyptic scenario, beverage convenience remains key. The footwells are generously sized, accommodating even large boots, and the expansive glass roof amplifies the sense of interior spaciousness. The rear seating area appeared comfortable and well-suited for stowing backpacks and gear.
This prompts the practical question: where do you store your belongings? The truck bed, equipped with a lockable, retractable cover, offers one solution, although items might slide around during driving.
Then there’s the frunk. In the Cybertruck’s case, the front trunk is surprisingly voluminous. After Kyle concluded his filming, as we prepared to leave, the Cybertruck drivers opened the frunk to retrieve their luggage. It accommodated two standard roll-aboard suitcases, the type designed to fit in airplane overhead compartments. This frunk capacity was genuinely impressive.
Exterior Details: Surprising and Potentially Concerning
The front and rear light bars, the distinctive wheel cladding, and the windshield wiper also caught my attention. The wiper—singular and massive—resembles an oversized baseball bat in size and shape. It’s a detail often missed in photos but strikingly prominent in person.
The rear tonneau cover operates electrically with a push-button mechanism, retracting seamlessly into the rear of the truck bed.
However, perhaps the most striking exterior element is the raw, unpainted stainless steel skin of the vehicle. The Cybertruck is encased in .071” thick stainless steel—though it visually and tactilely feels even more substantial—giving it a solidity far exceeding typical appliance-grade stainless steel.
However, this robust steel has sharp edges, a point Kyle and his team discovered during a “pinch test” involving all the pickup trucks present. The Cybertruck’s stainless steel panels feature sharp, straight edges, unlike the slightly rounded and painted edges common on most vehicles. The Cybertruck’s doors and frunk lid also lack rubber gaskets, which could soften closures and potentially offer a degree of pinch protection.
Using a carrot and a package of hotdogs, Kyle tested the Cybertruck’s resistance to objects, simulating a human finger. The results were concerning. None of the components offered any resistance. The frunk and doors effortlessly severed the carrot and completely crushed the hotdogs. This serves as a crucial warning, especially for parents with children and anyone interacting with the Cybertruck’s doors or moving parts: exercise extreme caution with fingers.
Does the Hype Match Reality? Largely, Yes.
After spending an afternoon with the Cybertruck, I understand the buzz. Much discussion has revolved around drivers taking it off-road, towing capabilities, and instances of getting stuck. However, I’m not convinced this is ideally suited for extreme off-road adventures. Its width and length, despite the rear-wheel steering, don’t project the agility of dedicated off-road vehicles.
Furthermore, despite the robust steel exterior, it lacks skid plates to protect the undercarriage from rocks and debris when off-road. Even though the Cybertruck lacks traditional analog components that skid plates typically shield, such as an oil pan or driveshaft, underbody protection still seems prudent for off-road use.
But for that immersive, video-game-like driving sensation in the real world? The Cybertruck delivers the fantasy. For those drawn to this futuristic vision, the Cybertruck makes it a tangible reality.
