First introduced in 2019, the Tesla Cybertruck is unlike any pickup we’ve ever seen. It’s electric, which isn’t entirely unusual, and frankly expected from Tesla, but its futuristic design makes it stand out from everything else on the road. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing is a matter of personal preference, and keep in mind we haven’t seen the final, production-bound version yet. Tesla often makes tweaks to its cars before production, however, we may not have to wait long — as Tesla says the truck will finally start shipping later this year.
In the meantime, we’re taking a look at what it is, what it does, how much it will cost, and when cyber motorists will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel. We’re looking at its rivals, too, and the list grows on a regular basis.
Design
Much has been said about the Cybertruck’s design, and there’s little we can add to the conversation. We’ve seen a few different builds of the Cybertruck through a combination of leaked and official images, but we still have yet to see a production version of the truck. We do know its body will be made with 30X cold-rolled stainless steel, which fends off dents and rust, and its glass panels will reportedly be bulletproof. It will also offer a 6.5-foot cargo box that Tesla refers to as a vault.
You can call it a vault, a box, or a bed. Either way, it will be topped by a tonneau cover strong enough to stand on, and Tesla says it’s planning to release a range of accessories for workers, adventurers, and anyone in between. Owners will be able to add a camper top and a pop-out kitchen to the Cybertruck, for example. On-board power outlets that draw electricity from the battery pack will allow passengers to power tools and devices off the grid. Tesla also outlined an onboard air compressor. Its truck is shaping up to be one of the more versatile models on the market.
It’s too early to tell what Tesla will change, but we know its design team has already made tweaks to the truck. Prototypes have been spotted as recently as February with tweaks to the design. However, even that model likely won’t be the final version, as it was shown with one large windshield wiper, which CEO Elon Musk has said won’t make it to the production version.
Interior
Since this is a prototype, what you see above isn’t necessarily what you’ll get when production starts. Tesla says that the Cybertruck will offer a spacious cabin with six seats and a big storage bin under the rear bench. Its dashboard is an exercise in minimalist design that looks like an evolution of the layout seen in the Model 3 and the Model Y. There’s a yoke steering wheel, though that’ll likely be an option, a 17-inch screen that runs the new version of Tesla’s infotainment system, and not much else. It’s reasonable to assume features found on the company’s current crop of cars, like in-car gaming and video streaming, will be available, though odds are you’ll need to pay monthly for them.
Specs
Of course — the level of awesomeness depends on the version you look at. The entry-level variant is equipped with a single motor that drives the rear wheels. It tows 7,500 pounds, takes 6.5 seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop, and delivers approximately 250 miles of range. Tesla does not publish specifications about its batteries.
Move up in the hierarchy, and you’ll find the midrange version with two electric motors (one per axle) for all-wheel drive, a 10,000-pound towing capacity, a 4.5-second sprint to 60 mph, and about 300 miles of range. Last but not least, the triple-motor flagship model tows 14,000 pounds, rockets to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, and boasts about 500 miles of range. Remember, the Cybertruck is not in production, so these numbers are merely goals at this point. They’re not set in stone, and they haven’t been proven or tested for miles on end in real-world conditions.
Ground clearance checks in at up to 16 inches, thanks in part to an adaptive air suspension that’s standard regardless of how the truck is configured. Tesla is dialing in approach and departure angles of 35 and 28 degrees, respectively. Autopilot will come standard, though it will not make the truck autonomous; it’s a driver-assistance system.
Competitors
It’s hard to truly compare the Cybertruck with the F-150 Lightning, the electric version of the F-150, considering the Cybertruck isn’t available yet. That said, the Cybertruck will seemingly be aimed at heavier models.
“While we have not yet begun production of the Cybertruck, we expect it to have a towing capacity of 7,500 to 14,000-plus pounds, and it should very likely qualify as a Class 2B-3 medium-duty vehicle,” explained Sarah Van Cleve, the company’s senior managing policy advisor, in a letter written to California’s Air Resources Board (ARB).
That’s legal jargon for a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,501 to 10,000 pounds, which is a level above the F-150 Lightning, sitting in at 8,250 to 8,550 pounds. If the specs don’t change, the Cybertruck will land in the same segment as medium-duty rigs like the Ford F-250, the Ram 2500, and the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Yukon 2500 twins.
If the early-announced pricing of the Cybertruck is true, however, it’ll start at a lower price than the F-150 Lightning. The base model of the Cybertruck is set to start at $39,000 — while the F-150 Lightning starts at around $60,000.
Factory location
In July 2020, Musk announced that the Cybertruck will be built in a Gigafactory in Austin, Texas.
The Austin Gigafactory doesn’t just build the Cybertruck, it also builds the Model Y and is Tesla’s global headquarters.
Price
At launch, Tesla will make three variants of the Cybertruck available. The entry-level, rear-wheel-drive model carries a base price of $39,000. The midrange model starts at $49,000, while the triple-motor range-topper costs $69,000.
There’s a chance that the Tesla Cybertruck will qualify for the federal tax credit when it is eventually released. Currently, the requirements are that a vehicle has to be under $80,000, be made in North America, and meet the EPA requirements for batteries and critical minerals. That said, eligibility for the tax credit has shifted a number of times, so we’ll have to wait and see if the Cybertruck is eligible when it’s eventually released.
Release date
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