As a content creator for cardiagnosticnearme.com and an automotive repair specialist, I’ve analyzed countless vehicles. However, the Tesla Cybertruck is unlike anything else on the road. This isn’t just about steel and angles; it’s about how this vehicle impacts drivers in real-world scenarios. Take, for example, the experience of a psychologist in Arizona who relies on her Cybertruck, affectionately named Brick House, for her demanding profession. Her story, originally featured on Business Insider, offers a compelling perspective on the Car And Driver Cybertruck dynamic, moving beyond the typical reviews and into the realm of daily utility and unexpected public reactions.
This psychologist, who travels extensively across Arizona to reach patients in various towns, initially sought out Tesla for its self-driving capabilities. Her demanding schedule involves conducting Social Security disability psychological assessments – mentally taxing work requiring intense focus and empathy. Before owning a Tesla, long drives were draining, impacting her ability to perform her crucial work effectively.
Her journey began in 2012 during doctoral studies, commuting between Phoenix and Tucson on the often-grueling I-10. These drives were so exhausting that she frequently had to pull over for naps, still arriving home depleted. Dreaming of a future like “The Jetsons,” where cars drove themselves, she yearned for a vehicle that could alleviate the stress of her commute.
Alt text: Psychologist utilizing Cybertruck’s Full Self-Driving feature on an Arizona highway, showcasing car and driver cybertruck technology for reduced driving fatigue.
In early 2013, Tesla’s promise of Full Self-Driving caught her attention, leading her to commit to owning a Tesla for her next vehicle purchase. In 2021, she leased a Tesla Model 3 Long Range with Full Self-Driving, named Ma’Lady. Over three years and 35,000 miles across Arizona’s highways and backroads, Ma’Lady proved to be more than just a car – it was a vital tool for her profession, enhancing safety and reducing driving fatigue, a crucial aspect for any car and driver. Interestingly, during her time with the Model 3, she encountered no negative public reactions.
Fast forward to 2024, as her Model 3 lease concluded, the Cybertruck emerged as the ideal successor. Needing a vehicle large enough to qualify for specific business tax benefits, the Cybertruck was the only model that fit the criteria. Despite initial hesitation due to the controversies surrounding Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Cybertruck itself, the psychologist ultimately chose the Cybertruck. She had briefly tried another vehicle with driver-assist features, but it paled in comparison to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving. The return of extreme fatigue after long drives in the alternative vehicle, coupled with a health scare emphasizing the need to minimize stress, solidified her decision. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving was, and is, a significant stress reducer for her demanding travel schedule across Arizona.
The Cybertruck, therefore, wasn’t an impulse buy but a carefully considered decision based on functionality and necessity. However, the public reaction to the Cybertruck has been a stark contrast to her experience with the Model 3. While children are often delighted, waving and taking pictures of the Cybertruck’s unique design, adult reactions are frequently negative. She recounts instances of being flipped off, receiving disapproving looks, and experiencing aggressive driving from others seemingly provoked by her vehicle choice. Even a close friend refused to ride in the Cybertruck, citing disapproval of Tesla’s CEO.
These reactions highlight a crucial aspect of car and driver cybertruck ownership: the vehicle’s polarizing nature. It’s become more than just transportation; it’s inadvertently become a statement, drawing strong opinions, often unrelated to the vehicle’s actual performance or utility. The psychologist emphasizes that her purchase predates much of the recent political polarization surrounding Musk, and her primary concern remains the functionality and safety the Cybertruck provides, especially on Arizona’s potentially hazardous two-lane highways.
For her, the Cybertruck is not about luxury or making a statement. It’s about functionality and safety. Driving long distances on Arizona’s roads, often encountering fatigued drivers and narrow lanes, demands a vehicle that can mitigate these challenges. The Cybertruck’s technology, particularly Full Self-Driving, helps maintain focus, monitor for hazards, and lessen the mental strain of extended drives – crucial benefits for a car and driver navigating demanding professional routes. While acknowledging the public perception challenges and looking forward to a future where other manufacturers might offer comparable self-driving technology in less controversial vehicles, she currently finds herself reliant on the Cybertruck’s unique capabilities. Her story provides a valuable, real-world perspective on the car and driver cybertruck experience, showcasing its practical benefits alongside its unexpected social implications.
