The Tesla Cybertruck has undoubtedly been one of the most talked-about vehicles in recent years. After much anticipation, my wife Becky and I finally took delivery of our All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Cybertruck on March 29th, 2024, at the Seattle Tesla Service Center. The delivery itself was a seamless and enjoyable experience, setting a positive tone right from the start.
Tesla Cybertruck delivery in Washington state, showcasing its unique design and the excitement of the owners.
Having driven a 2016 Tesla Model S for 116,000 miles, I was particularly keen to compare the Cybertruck to my trusted sedan. Just a short time later, on April 8th, I embarked on a comprehensive 10-day, 3,000-mile road trip. Our destination: the stunning landscapes of Moab, Utah, and the iconic Monument Valley in Arizona. Joining me on this adventure were my brother Scott and two close friends, Steve and Kevin. This article consolidates the driving impressions and Tesla Cybertruck Reviews from all four of us, providing a well-rounded perspective on living with and driving the Cybertruck.
Driving Performance: Smooth, Powerful, and Surprisingly Agile
Despite its imposing presence, the Cybertruck, registering a “scale weight” of 6,669 pounds, defies expectations on the road. It simply doesn’t drive like a vehicle of its size. In fact, in my tesla cybertruck reviews, I can confidently say it drives better than my 2016 Model S – a fact that genuinely surprised me. The ride quality is noticeably smoother and quieter, absorbing road imperfections with ease. Steering feels lighter and more responsive than in my Model S. And when it comes to acceleration, the Cybertruck matches the brisk performance of my sedan, effortlessly overtaking trucks even on steep mountain inclines.
The magic behind this agility lies in several key technologies. The steer-by-wire system, coupled with the uniquely shaped steering wheel and a short lock-to-lock range, makes maneuvering the Cybertruck remarkably easy. The inclusion of four-wheel steering further enhances its nimbleness, especially in tight spaces. I found myself able to steer with just one finger, even during parking maneuvers. On winding mountain highways with speed limits reaching 80 mph in areas like Eastern Oregon, Idaho, and Utah, the Cybertruck felt planted and stable, inspiring confidence at higher speeds. This is a stark contrast to other trucks I’ve driven, such as the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, and Toyota Tundra, which often exhibit body sway, “jiggling,” and a bouncy ride. The continuous rear camera view displayed on the touchscreen while driving forward was a feature we all appreciated. In fact, all four drivers agreed that a traditional rearview mirror seemed almost redundant in the Cybertruck.
Lane Changes and Blind Spot Monitoring: Enhanced Confidence
Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing driver confidence during lane changes. Activating the turn signal in the Cybertruck automatically brings up the side camera view on the central touchscreen, temporarily replacing the rear camera display. A prominent red vertical stripe on the side camera image alerts the driver to objects within the blind spot. While this system is effective, we collectively felt that retaining the rear camera view, perhaps in a smaller window below the side camera feed, would be a valuable improvement. Adding to the safety net, a red indicator light illuminates on the A-pillar whenever an object is detected in either side blind spot, regardless of turn signal usage. This multi-layered approach to blind spot monitoring significantly boosts driver awareness and safety.
Vehicle Access and Parking: Surprisingly User-Friendly
The absence of traditional door handles is a distinctive Cybertruck design element, and surprisingly, we didn’t miss them at all. We particularly appreciate the Cybertruck’s default parked ride height, set to the lowest “Entry Mode.” This feature makes ingress and egress remarkably similar to a typical SUV, a welcome convenience. The rear doors open to an expansive 90 degrees, facilitating easy access to the rear seats, simplifying cargo loading, and making child car seat installation hassle-free. Speaking of car seats, the attachment points are notably more accessible than in my 2016 Model S, a practical detail for families.
Parking the Cybertruck, despite its size, proved to be far less daunting than anticipated. I no longer experience the parking lot anxiety I used to have with my previous Chevrolet Suburbans, vehicles of comparable dimensions. The Cybertruck can navigate into almost any parking space I could manage with my Model S. Again, the combination of four-wheel steering and advanced camera systems makes a significant difference. My favorite parking aid is a readily accessible button, positioned for thumb activation, that displays the low front camera and dual front side cameras. This provides a 180-degree view, invaluable for maneuvering forward, especially in situations where spotting small children is a concern. While the camera system is excellent, I do miss the ultrasonic sensors of my Model S, which provided inch-precise distance readings to obstacles when moving forward. Their absence feels like a slight regression in functionality.
Reversing into parking spaces is effortless thanks to the clear 180-degree view provided by the rear camera and rear side cameras, displayed prominently on the touchscreen when in reverse. We found the rearview mirror completely unnecessary for parking. During our road trip, backing up to Superchargers initially required a spotter to prevent accidental contact with the charging station. However, with practice and familiarity with the camera perspectives, I can now confidently back up to Superchargers, understanding the visual cues for optimal proximity. Fitting the Cybertruck into my garage is a tight squeeze. My garage measures 8 feet wide and 20 feet 10 inches deep (to the back shelves). The Cybertruck fits, but just barely. A thoughtful touch: when stationary, unbuckling the driver’s seatbelt automatically engages Park mode.
Tesla Cybertruck barely fitting into a residential garage, showcasing its size relative to a standard parking space.
Controls and Dynamics: Streamlined and Customizable
Initially, all four of us anticipated missing traditional stalks for controlling functions like shifting, wipers, turn signals, and cruise control. However, in our tesla cybertruck reviews, we unanimously agreed that the “stalkless” design is superior. All essential controls are conveniently located on the steering wheel, easily accessible with either thumb, eliminating the need to take hands off the wheel. After just a day or two of driving, operating the controls became intuitive and could be done without looking. The massive 48-inch windshield wiper performs admirably. Activated by a steering wheel button, it brings up touchscreen controls for further adjustments. Voice commands also offer convenient wiper operation (“Wiper on,” “Wiper off,” “Speed up wiper,” “Slow down wiper”). The new “Dynamics” control panel provides extensive customization of ride settings, allowing drivers to fine-tune the Cybertruck’s handling characteristics.
Visibility: Front and Rear Camera Systems Excel
The expansive windshield offers excellent forward visibility, although the substantial A-pillars do create blind spots that require attention. I’ve adapted by consciously moving my head side to side to check these blind spots and performing double checks at intersections, a habit I developed with my Model S, which also has prominent A-pillars. The short front end contributes to good forward line of sight.
Rear visibility, a pre-delivery concern, has been a pleasant surprise. Even with the tonneau cover closed, which is my typical configuration, rearward visibility while driving and reversing is superior to any other vehicle I’ve owned. As mentioned, the reverse camera system provides a 180-degree view encompassing the rear and rear sides. I also utilize the side mirrors. The only time I find myself using the rearview mirror is to check on my three-year-old granddaughter when she’s in her car seat.
Interior Comfort and Features: Minimalist and Luxurious
The Cybertruck interior is a masterclass in minimalist design, spaciousness, and comfort. All seats are exceptionally comfortable, even on long drives. The glovebox features a drawer-like opening, preventing contents from spilling out. The rear seat is remarkably roomy, the most spacious of any Tesla model. We made good use of the two 120-volt AC outlets in the passenger cabin. A personal road trip essential for me is good coffee. As an espresso aficionado, I brought along a small Nespresso machine and a selection of recyclable coffee pods, much to the delight of my travel companions. Enjoying quality espresso while cruising at 80 mph through the Mountain West was a definite highlight. The interior ambient lighting is attractive and customizable with various color options. The 15-speaker sound system delivers audiophile-grade sound quality, the best I’ve experienced in any vehicle.
The panoramic glass roof is striking and effectively tinted. Anticipating intense desert sun, I purchased a third-party reflective sunshade. While effective in reducing cabin temperature and air conditioning load, installation proved unexpectedly complex, requiring significant modifications and revealing the vendor’s lack of access to a production Cybertruck – a crucial detail not disclosed on the reseller’s website. Tesla provides its own sunshade, which fits well, although it’s not fully reflective. However, the Tesla sunshade will likely suffice for most of my sunny road trips.
Exterior and Build Quality: Robust and Head-Turning
The exterior of my Cybertruck is visually flawless, with no imperfections detected. The hardened stainless-steel panels exhibit precise alignment and no signs of rust. While some panel edges are somewhat sharp, after over 4,000 miles of use, no one has experienced any scratches. Fingerprints on the stainless steel are a frequently discussed topic. In our experience, inexperienced users may leave fingerprints opening and closing doors, but it’s easily avoided with a bit of awareness. Frankly, the “fingerprint concern” seems somewhat overstated for a truck designed for utility. We view the Cybertruck as a versatile vehicle capable of both urban driving and demanding tasks like off-roading, hauling landscaping materials, and trips to the dump. I’ve used automated car washes six times and found “Car Wash Mode” to be a useful feature.
Tesla Cybertruck in Car Wash Mode, demonstrating its ability to navigate automated car washes despite its unique shape.
Cargo and Utility: Frunk, Bed, and Tonneau Cover
The frunk is a surprisingly versatile space, perfect for “Frunkgating” – providing sheltered outdoor seating, especially useful in rainy Seattle. We didn’t utilize the frunk for cargo on this trip, given the ample space in the cargo bed.
Tesla Cybertruck frunk being used for "Frunkgating" while charging at a supercharger station in Moab, Utah.
The 6-foot cargo bed easily accommodated all our luggage, including eight cargo tubs, a cooler, and four large backpacks. The higher bed height near the rear window allowed us to stack backpacks on top of cargo tubs while still closing the tonneau cover.
Tesla Cybertruck cargo bed loaded with gear for a road trip, highlighting its spaciousness and practicality.
The cargo bed is well-illuminated, a practical feature at night. Climbing in and out of the bed is reasonably easy. Numerous movable tie-down points and a built-in bottle opener are thoughtful touches. The under-bed storage is spacious and watertight. The tonneau cover is exceptional – robust, nearly waterproof even in car washes, and easily operated from the rear corner, touchscreen, or Tesla app. Its complete disappearance when fully opened is a crowd-pleaser. We didn’t utilize the bed-mounted power outlets (240-volt and two 120-volt) on this trip but envisioned using them for a small refrigerator, crockpot, and toaster oven on future camping or hiking excursions.
Post-road trip, I put the Cybertruck’s utility to the test hauling landscaping materials. I transported 2,500 pounds of grass sod at a time (twice) in the cargo bed. While we opted to hand-load the sod to avoid scratching the bed, the Cybertruck handled the weight effortlessly. The air suspension automatically adjusted, maintaining a level ride height with no sagging. Returning after dark on the final load, I was impressed that the headlights remained properly aimed, unlike my previous Suburbans which tended to point upwards when heavily loaded. The sod runs were 35 miles each way, mostly at highway speeds, with the last mile on a rough gravel road. While the weight was noticeable, the truck remained stable and composed on various road surfaces.
Tesla Cybertruck being loaded with pallets of sod, demonstrating its cargo capacity and work utility.
Tesla Cybertruck offloading sod at a residential location, showcasing its practical use in landscaping and home improvement.
This picture was taken at my off-grid cabin in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Note the Starlink antenna on the roof peak. The cabin’s power system is a hybrid of solar (7.4 kW), 2,200 pounds of batteries, and a propane generator. In the event of a power outage, the Cybertruck can serve as a backup power source for the cabin via its 240V bed outlet.
Baja Mode and Off-Road Capability: Fun and Confidence-Inspiring
Exploring remote landscapes in Baja Mode was a highlight of the trip. Even with the suspension set to a substantial 16 inches of ground clearance, the Cybertruck remained remarkably stable at 45–50 mph while traversing hills, washes, and navigating rocks and boulders. While not seasoned off-road enthusiasts, we could readily appreciate the Cybertruck’s inherent off-road capability and potential for adventurous driving. Fortunately, we didn’t need to engage “Extract Mode,” a self-rescue feature that increases ground clearance to 17.4 inches for clearing obstacles. Similarly, “Wade Mode,” for water crossings up to 32 inches deep, remained untested on this trip.
Tesla Cybertruck in Baja Mode during a road trip, highlighting its off-road capabilities and rugged aesthetic in a natural landscape.
Range, Charging, and Efficiency: Road Trip Ready
Fully charged, the Cybertruck indicated a range of 318 miles. As expected, our actual range was somewhat lower due to mountain driving, highway speeds, and the combined weight of passengers and gear (approximately 1,500 pounds). However, range anxiety was never an issue. Supercharger availability was abundant; we likely passed two stations for every one we used. The navigation system intelligently planned our route, suggesting Supercharger stops, estimating state of charge upon arrival, and calculating necessary charging times. Our charging stops ranged from 10 minutes to an hour, providing welcome opportunities for breaks, stretching, and meals. Charging speeds reached up to 252 kW at 250-kW Supercharger stations and 151 kW at 150-kW stations. Charging was significantly faster than my 2016 Model S, which peaked at 150 kW only briefly.
Regarding Level 2 home charging, I initially anticipated similar 72-amp charging speeds as my Model S, which utilizes a Tesla Wall Charger. I was surprised to find that the Cybertruck is limited to 48 amps for Level 2 charging, consistent with current Tesla models. This feels like a minor drawback, especially considering the Cybertruck’s large 123 kWh battery pack.
Accelerator Pedal Recall and DIY Fix: Prompt Service and Ingenuity
While in Utah, we became aware of the reported accelerator pedal issue (now a recall). Using the Tesla app, I contacted my local Tesla Service Center (Bellevue, WA) to express my concern and received a callback within two hours – commendable service. The service representative was initially unaware of the issue, as it had just emerged. She promptly escalated the matter to the Cybertruck team and provided updates as the situation evolved. In the interim, at our next Supercharger stop, resourceful thinking prevailed. I grabbed duct tape from the under-bed storage and secured the accelerator pedal cover. Reasoning that duct tape famously saved Apollo 13, it seemed a fitting temporary solution for the Cybertruck!
Tesla Cybertruck accelerator pedal temporarily fixed with duct tape as a DIY solution during the recall period.
Powershare and Home Backup: Future Potential
As a Foundation Series Cybertruck owner, I am “eligible” for Powershare (refer to Tesla’s website for details). The purchase included a bi-directional Universal Wall Connector and a Powershare Gateway. Once installed and with a future Cybertruck software update, this system will enable the Cybertruck to power my home during outages using the charging cable. Installation costs are estimated at $5,000. The Powershare Gateway is already installed, and we are awaiting the bi-directional charger from Tesla. A future update will detail the functionality and real-world performance of this system.
Final Verdict: Exceeds Expectations and a Glimpse into the Future
In summary, the Cybertruck has surpassed all my expectations. It is an engineering and technological marvel, and an absolute joy to drive. The adage “The future arrives, just not everywhere at the same time” perfectly encapsulates the Cybertruck. It looks and feels like a vehicle from the future because, in many ways, it is. Driving the Cybertruck is indeed like stepping into the future of personal transportation.
I anticipate the Tesla Cybertruck becoming America’s best-selling electric vehicle in its class, not just in 2024, but for years to come.
By Mark Curtis
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