Having the chance to spend a week with the Tesla Cybertruck was an eye-opening experience, especially coming from Canada where this electric pickup has been more of a mythical creature until now. This Cybertruck Review dives into the details after putting it to the test in Washington.
I got my hands on the Cybertruck through Turo, securing a week-long rental to thoroughly explore what it offers. We even created a video review to capture the experience (and yes, a subscribe, like, and share would be greatly appreciated!).
For those seeking a quick rundown before diving deeper, here’s a TLDR of my cybertruck review:
The technology packed inside the Cybertruck is genuinely impressive. The drive-by-wire system is a standout, making the truck feel almost like driving in a video game. The rear-steering dramatically improves maneuverability, allowing for incredibly tight turns. Tesla deserves recognition for pioneering the 48-volt architecture in a production vehicle.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The radical design necessitates certain compromises. The substantial A-pillars create noticeable blind spots, and the tonneau cover renders the traditional rear-view mirror practically obsolete. Some design choices appear to be predicated on the anticipation of fully autonomous driving – despite the current absence of even basic Autopilot features. Lastly, the charging performance lags behind Tesla’s other models and competitors in the EV truck segment.
Turning Heads: The Cybertruck’s Attention-Grabbing Design
One immediate and undeniable aspect of driving the Cybertruck is the sheer amount of attention it commands. I’ve piloted exotic supercars that garnered significantly less attention than this electric pickup truck.
Most of the time, this attention is positive. People approach, eager to ask questions, which I’m usually happy to answer, schedule permitting. However, it can also become intrusive. Many individuals snap photos without asking, even while you’re inside the vehicle.
More concerningly, it can be hazardous. I witnessed drivers making erratic maneuvers to catch up and photograph the Cybertruck while driving. Please, for everyone’s safety, refrain from such behavior. It’s incredibly risky.
This intense fascination is likely to subside over time. Currently, the Cybertruck is a novelty, but as Tesla increases production to hundreds of thousands annually, the initial excitement should diminish, allowing owners to drive with less scrutiny.
Girlfriend’s Take: A Non-Car Person’s Perspective on the Cybertruck
My girlfriend might just be the Cybertruck’s most enthusiastic admirer. During our week with the truck, I couldn’t help but jot down some of her spontaneous reactions, simply because her excitement was so striking. Keep in mind, she’s not a “car person” at all.
- “All other cars can just go home now, this is the only vehicle that matters.”
- “It’s the perfect car.”
- “Cars should have always looked like this.”
- “If you don’t like this car, you just don’t like the future.”
- *Upon seeing people staring from a distance* “Please make the truck fart.” (referencing Tesla’s fun sound features)
- “It is effing beautiful, I have nothing else to say.”
For context, she doesn’t drive and has never driven a vehicle. A city dweller without a driver’s license, her automotive knowledge is virtually non-existent. She probably couldn’t name another car model if asked point blank. However, she is an artistic soul with a keen eye for design and appreciates the “cinematographic look” of the Cybertruck.
Her reaction serves as a clear indication that the Cybertruck’s polarizing design does resonate strongly with some people.
Design Deep Dive: Form Over Function or Functional Art?
My personal stance on the Cybertruck’s design remains somewhat ambivalent. I applaud Tesla’s boldness in breaking away from conventional vehicle and pickup truck aesthetics to create something truly unique.
At times, I find its sharp lines and stark form quite compelling. Yet, I also understand those who compare it to a “dumpster” – the resemblance can be undeniable depending on the angle and lighting.
Focusing on subjectivity aside, let’s analyze what Tesla’s innovative design achieves and the compromises it necessitates.
In many ways, the Cybertruck feels like a product conceived from its design first and engineered around it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the vehicle project originated from a Tesla designer presenting the Cybertruck’s visual concept to Elon Musk, who then enthusiastically greenlit it with “I love it, let’s figure out how to build this.” Tesla’s engineers and designers then faced the challenge of turning this vision into reality.
Several aspects support this design-centric approach. For instance, Tesla initially advertised the Cybertruck as having an exoskeleton construction, and their website still mentions this. However, teardowns and detailed images of the truck’s structure reveal that calling it an “exoskeleton” requires a very loose interpretation of the term. The Cybertruck’s construction is far closer to a traditional unibody frame than a true exoskeleton.
Tesla does argue that the body panels contribute to the vehicle’s structural rigidity, but they are certainly not the primary structural components. The panels are also thinner than initially projected.
Regardless, Tesla has produced the first stainless steel vehicle since the DeLorean, which is a notable achievement in itself.
Many appreciate the idea of a robust truck that resists rust and dents easily, and these are valid advantages of stainless steel. However, there are also downsides.
The stainless steel exterior is prone to showing pollen and fingerprints quite readily. Maintaining the clean, sharp aesthetic meant forgoing traditional door handles. Instead of flush handles that automatically present themselves like on the Model S, or manually extending handles as on the Model 3/Y, Tesla opted for a button that pops the door ajar, requiring you to reach inside to fully open it – a system similar to the Mustang Mach-E.
The door opening mechanism feels like it could be more refined, especially for a vehicle in this price range. Auto-presenting doors would be expected on a $100,000 vehicle. Even simpler improvements could enhance the user experience.
Something as basic as a rubberized grip inside the door recess would have been beneficial, allowing users to avoid touching the stainless steel panel and providing a leverage point to swing the door closed without grabbing the exterior.
The enormous, vertically parked windshield wiper is another design element dictated by the Cybertruck’s form.
To achieve the continuous straight line from the front to the roof, the traditional cowl area between the hood and windshield, where wipers are typically concealed, had to be eliminated.
Personally, the wiper itself isn’t a major issue, although the auto mode is as unreliable as in other Tesla vehicles that rely on vision-based automatic wipers.
The design also results in a very short front overhang, leading to a relatively small front trunk, or frunk. Despite its size, I managed to fit two carry-on suitcases after some maneuvering.
Frunks are incredibly practical in electric pickup trucks because there’s no traditional trunk, and the bed isn’t always ideal for clean cargo.
The Cybertruck’s frunk isn’t massive due to the short front overhang dictated by the design, but it still accommodated 2 carry-on luggages with a bit of effort. pic.twitter.com/eysKK3rdcr
— Fred Lambert (@FredericLambert) June 7, 2024
This is an area where the Cybertruck lags behind competitors like the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning, both offering significantly larger frunks.
However, the Cybertruck’s frunk is still functional, and with the standard tonneau cover, the bed remains useful for everyday cargo that needs to stay clean and secure.
Speaking of the bed, this is where the Cybertruck’s design truly shines.
The sloped bed sides contribute to improved aerodynamic performance, and the tonneau cover, which is incredibly satisfying to operate (as demonstrated in my video review), further enhances aerodynamics.
At 6 feet by 4 feet, the bed offers good utility, but the unique shape of the sides means that standard, off-the-shelf pickup accessories may not be compatible. Owners will likely need to rely more on Tesla or specialized aftermarket options for bed and roof accessories.
A standout feature in the bed is the inclusion of power outlets – two 120V and one 240V.
These are conveniently positioned on the left side of the bed, near the tailgate.
Moving to the interior design, this is where Tesla appears to have made significant compromises to accommodate the Cybertruck’s distinctive exterior shape.
The first thing that strikes you is the dashboard, which is remarkably expansive, resembling the size of a twin bed. While its sheer size is visually unusual, the real issue is that it creates exceptionally long A-pillars, resulting in a noticeable blind spot on the driver’s side.
The small window integrated into the A-pillar offers some improvement, but there were several instances at T-intersections where I lost sight of approaching vehicles due to timing and positioning. They would then unexpectedly appear when turning, highlighting the blind spot issue.
The B-pillars are also quite substantial, but this is less of a concern, particularly with the side cameras effectively covering those blind spots.
For the remainder of the interior, the design is well-executed. The all-glass roof is stunning. The seats are comfortable and supportive. The user interface (UI) is, in my opinion, best-in-class – though I admit bias as it’s similar to the UI in my daily driver, a Model 3 Performance, which I am very accustomed to.
A quick tour of the interior can be seen at 11:00 in my video review.
Behind the Wheel: Cybertruck Driving Dynamics and Experience
This is where the Cybertruck truly excels, despite a few noted limitations. Upon first sitting in the driver’s seat, the incredibly small steering wheel was immediately noticeable and almost illogical.
My initial thought was that this diminutive wheel must be related to the drive-by-wire system with its progressive steering.
Indeed, there was an adjustment period, but once I found my optimal seat and steering wheel positions, it started to make sense.
The steering is incredibly responsive thanks to the progressive steering, making the size of the wheel almost irrelevant. In fact, the Cybertruck’s steering could conceivably be controlled with a joystick. Considering that many aircraft utilize joysticks, or variations thereof, for steering in fly-by-wire systems, this analogy seems apt.
The steering is my favorite aspect of the Tesla Cybertruck. The wheel could have been a joystick, it’s that easy to drive.
I understand it’s not for everyone. Some prefer more road feel, but I personally enjoy it immensely. pic.twitter.com/A2i6ycoRHX
— Fred Lambert (@FredericLambert) June 3, 2024
While some road feel is sacrificed, the trade-off for the Cybertruck’s exceptionally responsive steering is, in my opinion, worthwhile. I hope Tesla incorporates this steering technology into other models.
This responsive steering, combined with the electric powertrain’s instant torque, makes this 6,000 lbs vehicle feel much lighter and more nimble than its size would suggest.
Adding to this agility is the rear-wheel steering, which gives the Cybertruck a turning radius comparable to a Model S – remarkable for a vehicle of its dimensions.
Furthermore, the Cybertruck cabin is remarkably quiet, a key factor contributing to a sense of luxury in any vehicle.
However, the driving experience isn’t entirely flawless.
Certain design constraints mentioned earlier do negatively impact the driving experience, with the rear-view mirror situation being the most significant.
With the tonneau cover closed, which is desirable for aerodynamic efficiency, the traditional rear-view mirror becomes essentially useless, except perhaps for monitoring rear passengers.
Instead, Tesla relies on the rear camera feed displayed on the central screen. It’s puzzling why Tesla doesn’t offer a rear-view mirror that doubles as a screen, displaying the camera feed there. This would be a more elegant solution, particularly in a $100,000 vehicle, rather than diverting attention to the main display and taking up valuable screen real estate.
But the most significant drawback to driving the Cybertruck currently, especially on highways, is the absence of Autopilot. Tesla has been delivering these trucks for six months, and while they are all sold with Autopilot and Full Self-Driving capability included, Tesla has yet to adapt its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to this new platform.
Tesla states they are working on it, but it’s not a priority as improvements to the existing system for higher-volume vehicles are deemed more impactful. While a valid point, this excuse wears thin when these features are being marketed and sold on these new trucks.
Range and Charging Realities: Living with the Cybertruck’s Battery
The Cybertruck displayed an estimated range of approximately 318 miles (511 km) when fully charged. Under ideal conditions in Washington, and prioritizing range optimization, achieving close to this figure seemed plausible. However, I admit to enjoying the truck’s performance, which impacted efficiency.
This resulted in an average energy consumption of 429 Wh per mile.
This consumption rate translates to a more realistic range of around 286 miles (460 km).
Naturally, expect range to decrease considerably when utilizing the truck’s 11,000 lbs towing capacity. Previous reports have documented Cybertruck towing range tests showing significantly reduced range under heavy towing conditions.
It is somewhat disappointing that the initially advertised Cybertruck range is only attainable with an optional, bed-mounted range extender battery pack. However, this approach is an interesting solution, and I’m curious to see its implementation and real-world user experience.
A more significant concern for me is the Cybertruck’s charging performance.
While it boasts a peak charge rate of 250 kW, similar to other Tesla vehicles, this peak rate diminishes much more rapidly in the Cybertruck, leading to comparatively lengthy “fast-charging” sessions.
In my experience, adding 130 miles of range takes approximately 10-15 minutes at a Supercharger, starting from a low state of charge (<20%). This is acceptable, but not class-leading.
Tesla has indicated they are working on improving the charging curve via software updates, with claimed improvements of up to 20%. Such enhancements are definitely needed.
Electrek’s Verdict: More Than Just a Truck?
Overall, my impression of the Cybertruck is positive. I commend Tesla’s audacity in pioneering 48-volt architecture and steer-by-wire in a high-volume production vehicle.
Long-term, these technological advancements are likely to have a significant impact on the entire automotive industry.
However, I question the decision to package these innovations in such an unconventional form factor. As previously suggested, the Cybertruck feels more like a marketing statement than a purely practical vehicle program. One could argue that its role as a technology demonstrator and marketing tool outweighs its pure utility as a pickup truck.
Some people are captivated by it, and I’m not here to dampen that enthusiasm. I don’t judge those who love the Cybertruck’s aesthetics.
But I do wonder if Tesla could have had a broader impact on its mission of accelerating sustainable transportation by integrating this technology into a more conventionally styled truck. It could have retained the stainless steel construction and rugged appeal but in a less polarizing form.
With its groundbreaking technology housed within a more universally appealing design, Tesla might have more effectively targeted the vast pickup truck market, a segment ripe for electrification. After all, that is their stated mission.
Instead, my impression is that the current Cybertruck market primarily consists of existing Tesla owners, many of whom may not genuinely require a truck but are acquiring one simply because Tesla is producing it. Undoubtedly, some owners have genuine truck needs, but there seems to be a significant element of novelty and brand loyalty driving demand.
Conclusion
Regardless of market positioning, the most endearing aspect of the Cybertruck was its ability to elicit smiles. It’s a genuine smile-generating machine. Countless times I witnessed pedestrians, initially engrossed in their phones, look up after catching a glint of sunlight off the Cybertruck’s stainless steel.
The reaction was almost always the same: a broad smile.
As mentioned earlier in the “attention grabber” section, this novelty will likely fade as Tesla delivers hundreds of thousands of Cybertrucks in the coming years. People will become accustomed to seeing them, and the initial smiles may lessen.
However, I believe Cybertruck drivers themselves will continue smiling, because, beyond the initial hype, it is genuinely a fun and engaging vehicle to drive.
