I received my fingers on a Tesla Cybertruck for per week. Being from Canada, I haven’t had the chance to check the electrical pickup truck till now.
So, for individuals who care, right here’s my Tesla Cybertruck evaluation:
I rented the Cybertruck on Turo and I had a couple of week to drive it round Washington for my evaluation.
We put collectively a video evaluation (in case you get pleasure from it, I’d respect in case you may subscribe, like, and share it):
My extra detailed evaluation is under, however right here’s a fast TLDR:
I’m notably impressed by the expertise contained in the Cybertruck. It drives amazingly effectively. I used to be notably impressed by the drive-by-wire system, which makes the truck drives like a online game. The rear-steering makes it activate a dime. Additionally, Tesla needs to be recommended for being the primary to push to maneuver to a 48-volt structure.
Nonetheless, there are some downsides. The novel design has compelled Tesla to make some compromises, like the massive A-pillars leading to a bling spot, the tonneau cowl leading to a ineffective rear-view mirror. Among the downsides additionally appear to have to do with Tesla’s perception that self-driving is simply across the nook – though it doesn’t even have Autopilot proper now. Lastly, the charging capability is subpar in comparison with Tesla’s different autos and opponents.
Consideration Grabber
One of many first issues you’ll discover when driving the Cybertruck is the eye you’re getting. I’ve pushed uncommon supercars that may get a lot much less consideration than this pickup truck.
More often than not, it’s nice. Folks come as much as you and wish to ask questions, which I’m joyful to reply until I’m on a schedule. Nonetheless, it may also be a ache. Loads of folks don’t ask earlier than taking photos and haven’t any downside photographing you if you are contained in the truck.
However extra importantly, it may be harmful. I had folks drive erratically to attempt to catch as much as me to take photos of the automobile whereas they had been driving. Please don’t do this. It’s stupidly harmful.
Both manner, it possible not going to be an issue for lengthy. It’s a very novel automobile proper now, however Tesla is ramping up manufacturing and plans to make tons of of hundreds of Cybertrucks per yr. As soon as that’s the case, I assume that the fascination and pleasure will die down a bit and homeowners will be capable to journey with much less consideration.
Issues my girlfriend stated in regards to the Cybertruck
My girlfriend may be the Cybertruck’s greatest fan. Right here are some things I caught her casually saying throughout our week with the truck (sure, I really saved a listing trigger I couldn’t imagine how excited she was about it):
- All different automobiles can go house, that is the one automobile that issues
- It’s the proper automobile.
- Automobiles ought to have all the time appear to be that.
- Should you don’t like this automobile, you don’t like the long run.
- *sees folks checking the truck from a distance* please make the truck fart.
- It’s effing stunning, I’ve nothing else to say.
For context and to be honest, she doesn’t drive, in truth, she has by no means pushed a automobile. She is a metropolis woman and not using a driver’s license. She doesn’t know something about automobiles. I’m unsure she may identify you one other automobile with a gun to her head, however she is a really creative one that appreciates the “cinematographic look” of the Cybertruck’s design.
If something, she is proof that some folks do just like the design.
Cybertruck’s Design
Personally, I’m nonetheless ambivalent on the design. I commend Tesla for departing from conventional automobile and pickup designs and attempting one thing novel.
Generally, I believe it appears fairly sharp, however I can also’t actually argue with the individuals who say it appears like a dumpster.
Contemplating it’s goal, I’ll focus as an alternative on what Tesla’s novel design for the Cybertruck permits and what it compelled Tesla to do.
In some methods, I really feel just like the Cybertruck is a superb instance of a product engineered from its design. I wouldn’t be stunned if the automobile program had been born from a Tesla designer going as much as CEO Elon Musk with the Cybertruck’s design and Musk going: “I adore it, let’s work out easy methods to construct this.” Then Tesla’s engineers and designers needed to make this factor a actuality
There are fairly a number of traits in assist of that. For instance, Tesla first claimed that the Cybertruck could be constructed with an exosketlon and its web site nonetheless mentions that as we speak. Nonetheless, teardowns and photos of the truck’s physique makes clear that you need to stretch the definition of “exoskeleton” to its very restrict to nonetheless name it that. The Cybertruck’s constructed is way nearer to a standard unibody than anything.
Tesla does have a degree that the physique panels add to the structural integrity of the automobile, however they’re definitely not the principle structural a part of the pickup. The panels are additionally thinner than initially deliberate.
Nonetheless, Tesla constructed the primary chrome steel automobile because the DeLorean and that’s cool by itself.
Many individuals like the concept of a rugged truck that doesn’t rust, doesn’t ding simple, and that’s it, however there are some downsides too.
It does get soiled with pollen and fingerprints fairly simple. With the clear look with sharp traces, Tesla didn’t need any door handles. As an alternative of going with an embedded door deal with that pops out, routinely like Mannequin S, or manually like in Mannequin 3/Y, Tesla as an alternative went with a button that pops the door open after which you need to attain within it to tug it absolutely open – much like the system within the Mustand Mach-E.
I really feel like Tesla may have carried out that higher. It may have had auto presenting door, it’s a $100,000 automobile in any case, but it surely may have additionally carried out less complicated issues to make the expertise higher.
One thing like a rubber piece contained in the door the place you seize it might have been nice to keep away from touching a metal panel and might be use to swing the door shut with out having to the touch the surface.
The ridiculously huge windshield wiper in a vertical resting place can be one thing that was compelled by the Cybertruck’s design.
In order for you a straight line from the entrance finish to the roof, you’ll lose the normal indentation between the hood and windshield the place you possibly can cover the windshield wiper.
Personally, I don’t have a lot of downside with the wiper aside from the truth that the auto mode works as unhealthy as in different Tesla autos with vision-based automated wipers.
The design additionally leads to a particularly brief overhang within the entrance, which suggests a comparatively small entrance trunk or frunk. I used to be nonetheless in a position to match two carry-on baggage after a number of tries:
That’s definitely an space the place the Cybertruck is missing over the competitors with Rivian R1 and the Ford Lightning each having a lot greater frunks.
However the Cybertruck’s frunk continues to be helpful and with the tonneau cowl coming customary, the mattress continues to be helpful for on a regular basis cargo that you just wish to preserve clear.
Talking of the mattress, that’s in all probability the place the Cybertruck’s design comes collectively the very best.
The perimeters present higher aerodynamic efficiency, and you’ve got the tonneau cowl, which is tremendous satisfying to make use of, as you possibly can see in my video evaluation, and in addition helps with aerodynamic efficiency.
At 6′ by 4′, the mattress is beneficial, however the principle draw back is the form of the edges, which signifies that some off-the-shelve pickup equipment gained’t work and you’ll have to work with Tesla extra to get some roof and mattress equipment.
My favourite characteristic within the mattress is the ability shops (two 120v and one 240v):
It’s conveniently situated on the left facet of the mattress close to the tailgate.
Shifting to the inside design, that’s the place I believe that Tesla needed to compromise rather a lot to make the outside form of the Cybertruck work.
The very first thing you discover is the sprint, which appears as huge as a twin mattress. It appears odd, but it surely’s probably not the issue. The issue is that it creates tremendous lengthy A pillars, which do create a blindspot on the motive force’s facet.
The small window within the center does assist a bit, however there have been a number of events at T intersections the place I’d lose visibility on autos if there have been a sure timing for them arriving on the intersection. Then, they’d shock me when turning.
The B pillars are additionally enormous, however that’s not a lot of an issue, particularly with the facet cameras protecting the blind spots.
For the remainder of the inside, the design is stable. The all-glass roof appears superior. The seats are snug. The UI is best-in-class, in my view – although I’m biased on that entrance because it’s much like the one in my each day driver, my Mannequin 3 Efficiency, which makes me fairly used to it.
There’s a fast tour of the inside at 11:00 in my video evaluation.
Cybertruck Driving Expertise
That’s the place the Cybertruck shines regardless of a number of drawbacks. Once I first sat within the truck, I couldn’t imagine how small the steering wheel was. It didn’t even make sense in my head.
My feeling was that it needed to do with the drive-by-wire with progressive steering.
Certain sufficient, it took a while to adapt, however as soon as I’ve discovered good seat and steering wheel positions for me, I began to get it.
The steering is so responsive due to the progressive steering that the dimensions of the wheel barely issues. In reality, the Cybertruck’s steering wheel may have been a joystick. Now that I give it some thought, it is sensible that many airplanes use a joystick, or a variation of it, to steer since they do use fly-by-wire.
You do definitely lose some street really feel, however I believe it’s value it for simply how responsive the steering is within the Cybertruck. I hope Tesla brings this to different autos.
The steering mixed with the automobile’s electrical powertrain with on the spot torque makes this 6,000 lbs automobile appears like a a lot lighter, smaller automobile.
Then, you mix all that with the rear-wheel steering making the turning radius equal to a Mannequin S.
On high of all of this, I discovered the Cybertruck’s cabin to be extraordinarily quiet, which to me is without doubt one of the principal issues that makes a automobile really feel luxurious.
It’s not all nice with the driving expertise although.
Among the beforehand talked about design constraints do negatively have an effect on the driving expertise, however none greater than the rear-view mirror scenario.
When you may have the tonneau cowl on, which you wish to for aerodynamic causes, the rear view mirror is ineffective aside from to control your youngsters within the again when you have some.
As an alternative, Tesla makes use of its rear digital camera and feeds it to the middle show. I don’t get why Tesla shouldn’t be a minimum of providing a rear-view mirror that doubles as a display screen and ship the feed there. It’s an thrilling expertise and this can be a $100,000 automobile.
It might be a significantly better expertise than having to have a look at the display screen and taking some display screen actual property there.
However the greatest draw back to driving the Cybertruck proper now, a minimum of on the freeway, is the shortage of Autopilot. Tesla has been delivering these vehicles for six months now and whereas they’re all offered with Autopilot and Full Self-Driving included, Tesla has but to adapt its ADAS techniques to the truck but.
The automaker says that it’s engaged on it, but it surely’s not a precedence since enhancements to the present system for different autos that exist in increased volumes are extra impactful. Not a foul level, however you possibly can’t use that excuse for therefore lengthy when you find yourself promoting the options on these new vehicles.
Cybertruck Vary and Charging
The automobile was exhibiting about 318 miles (511 km) of vary when full and I felt like I might be capable to get one thing near that in my journey in pretty good situations in Washington if I used to be optimizing for vary, however I used to be having some enjoyable with the truck.
That end in getting a median of 429 Wh per mile:
That leads to nearer to 286 miles (460 km) of vary
After all, you possibly can anticipate that vary to drop considerably in case you use among the truck’s 11,000 lbs towing capability. We beforehand reported on Cybertruck towing vary assessments.
It’s a bit disappointing that the Cybertruck’s vary introduced on the unique unveiling is just achievable by way of an upcoming further battery pack that may match behind the mattress, however on the similar time, I believe it’s an attention-grabbing answer and I’m curious to see how it is going to be carried out and utilized by prospects.
The larger bummer for me is the Cybertruck’s charging capability.
It does have a peak cost price of 250 kW like Tesla’s different autos, however that cost price drops a lot quicker than in Tesla’s different autos, leading to pretty lengthy “fast-charging” periods.
In my very own expertise, you may get 130 miles in nearly 10-Quarter-hour at a Supercharger if you’re at a low (
Tesla says that it’s engaged on enhancing that cost curve by way of a software program replace. The automaker is speaking about as a lot as a 20% enchancment, which is way wanted.
Electrek’s Take
Total, I’ve a constructive view of the Cybertruck. I really like that Tesla was daring sufficient to lastly carry a 48-volt structure and steer-by-wire to a high-volume automobile program.
In the long run, I believe it would show impactful on your entire trade.
I simply don’t perceive the choice to package deal it on this manner. Like I beforehand reported, it feels just like the Cybertruck is extra of a advertising and marketing device than a standalone automobile program. You may argue that it’s higher as a tech take a look at mattress and advertising and marketing device than anything.
Some folks adore it and I’m not there to be a celebration pooper. I’m not a kind of who choose for loving the best way the truck appears.
However I do marvel if Tesla would have had an even bigger affect on its mission if it had packaged this expertise in a different-looking truck. I’m not saying that it has to look similar to all different pickup vehicles available on the market. It may have nonetheless had chrome steel, a rugged look, however in a much less dramatic type issue.
With all its unbelievable tech inside and a type issue simpler to undertake, Tesla may have extra simply gone after the massive pickup truck market, which is badly in want of electrification. That’s its mission, in any case.
As an alternative, I now really feel just like the market is usually present Tesla homeowners who don’t even really want a truck, however they’re getting one as a result of Tesla is making this. I’m certain a few of them do want one, however I really feel like there’s lots of that happening.
Both manner, the factor I liked probably the most in regards to the Cybertruck was the grins. It’s a smile-making machine. I couldn’t let you know what number of occasions I noticed folks strolling on the street their telephones and searching up after catching a glint of the solar reflecting on the Cybertruck.
The response was all the time the identical: an enormous smile.
Now, as I stated within the “consideration grabber” part, this can possible fade as Tesla delivers tons of of hundreds of Cybertrucks over the subsequent few years. Folks will get used to seeing them, and the grins will fade.
Nonetheless, I believe the Cybertruck drivers would be the ones who preserve smiling as a result of it’s such a enjoyable automobile to drive.