2024 Tesla Cybertruck

To call the Cybertruck controversial would be a wee bit of an understatement. When it was announced way back in November of 2019, Tesla's futuristic electric pickup truck caused a global sensation. Combining seriously wild styling, claims of impressive capability, fantastic range and some frankly stupendous features (we're looking at you, bullet-resistant bodywork), the Cybertruck seemed almost too good to be true. But now it's finally here, and we’ve taken our first spin behind the very oddly shaped wheel.

Our team has much more to experience with the Cybertruck, but this initial taste makes one thing clear: This is the strangest truck to ever hit the market. It will appeal to some, repel others, and bewilder just about everyone in between.

The entry-level Cybertruck is the rear-wheel-drive model. As of right now, specs on the Tesla consumer site are quite light. What the automaker does reveal is that it's expected to have a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a range of just 250 miles. Given the much longer range estimates of other Cybertruck models, it's safe to assume this variant will also come with a smaller battery pack compared to the all-wheel-drive versions. It also has a max towing capacity of 7,500 pounds (less than the current Chevrolet Colorado). The price for the base model? A total of $63,235 once you add the mandatory $250 order fee and destination charges. But Tesla is saying that the rear-drive model won't be available until 2025.

In the middle of the three-trim Cybertruck lineup is the dual-motor all-wheel-drive model. It produces around 600 horsepower and is able to sprint to 60 mph in a claimed 3.9 seconds. Range is estimated to be 340 miles. Tesla also has an option for a "Range Extender," which is a toolbox-sized battery that fits up against the back of the truck bed, and it supposedly extends the all-wheel-drive Cybertruck's range to 470-plus miles. This trim also gets the Cybertruck's max towing figure of 11,000 pounds. This truck starts at $82,235.

The top-of-the-line model is quite aptly named the Cyberbeast. It's a triple-motor Cybertruck with a combined 845 horsepower. Per Tesla, the Cyberbeast will be able to hit 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and run on to a top speed of 130 mph. It will have a range of up to 320 miles, but again thanks to that range extender, can go up to 440-plus miles. It, too, can tow up to 11,000 pounds. The price for the top-spec Cybertruck is $102,235.

My first experience came in a Foundation Series Cybertruck. It shares the same specs as the all-wheel-drive model with two motors and 600 horsepower. Driving a Tesla Cybertruck is a novel experience and unlike anything else on the road — at least for now while they are so limited in number. I’m lucky enough to test a consistent stream of awesome cars, but nothing has ever garnered this much attention during a test. Those who don’t like to be the center of attention shouldn’t go anywhere near this shiny metallic object.

Once you get over the star power that this truck possesses, the next thing to strike you is the Cybertruck’s unique steer-by-wire system. All four wheels can turn left or right, so the truck is much quicker to maneuver than something its size should be. The learning curve is hard at first; it took a solid two hours of consistent driving before the steering felt anything shy of alien. Even after I got used to it, things never felt quite right. Small inputs with the wheel made the truck dramatically twitch left and right, way more than I wanted to happen. The upshot is a short turning circle with minimal input, but I don’t think the trade-off is worth it. Hopefully, Tesla will consider revising the steering assist with a future over-the-air software update to make it feel more natural.

Apart from the goofy steering, driving a Cybertruck is remarkably similar to other Teslas — just bigger. And blinder. You can’t see a darn thing out of the back, especially when the cargo bed cover is deployed. A camera feed constantly runs on the center screen, but I still checked the rearview mirror out of habit every few minutes. Everything else will be familiar to anyone who’s ever driven a Tesla. The one-pedal driving is smooth, the power is consistent and strong, and the ride quality is supple for such a monster.

It took about five minutes of seat time to realize that this was the best-assembled Tesla I’ve ever been in. It feels well built with a sturdiness that past models were desperately needing. The design is still minimal, with the signature large center screen controlling every major function. A thin line of ambient lighting adds a bit more fanfare, just like you’d find in the updated Model 3. The Cybertruck lacks the elegance of the Rivian R1T, but it offers the best-executed version of Tesla’s interior to date.

As expected, the tech is some of the best in the industry. Compared to other infotainment systems, the Cybertruck is in a different league, with beautiful graphics and lightning-quick response times. Even the sound system is exceptional. I would gladly take physical buttons over screen menus to control things, but we’ve been singing that song to Elon for years now with no change in sight. This is a great time to mention that the turn signals on the steering wheel and the gear selector on the screen are both needless additions. A traditional stalk to do both would be much better.

The space inside the Cybertruck is somewhere between a Rivian R1T and an F-150 Lightning. Legroom in the second row is generous, even for taller folks, but the sloping roof will cause some headroom issues for taller adults. Front-row passengers should have no issue getting comfortable either. Everyone can control their own air conditioning and seat climate thanks to the additional display in the second row.

The Cybertruck has a 6-foot composite bed with a maximum payload capacity of 2,500 pounds. The bed floor is 4 feet wide and completely flat (there are no wheelwell humps). It also has a power-operated cargo cover and a deep covered storage bin in the bed. The bin has a drain hole, which means you can fill it with ice and drinks and then drain the water out when you're done. I didn't get a chance to test the bed to find out how easy it is to load or unload cargo but we'll circle back and update this review once we know more. As noted above, Tesla says maximum towing capacity is 11,000 pounds, which is 1,000 pounds more than the Lightning's and equal to the R1T's.

The Cybertruck does have a front trunk. It's not as big as the one in the F-150 Lightning or the Rivian R1T but it should still be useful for storing smaller items or grocery bags. Also like the F-150 Lightning, the Cybertruck also has multiple household-style power outlets. There are four 120-volt outlets (two in the cabin, two in the bed) and one 240-volt outlet in the bed. Tesla says the truck can supply a maximum of 9.6 kW of continuous power and can serve to power necessary appliances in your home in the event of a power outage.