From its stainless steel exterior to its infamous single windshield wiper, Tesla’s Cybertruck stands out from the pack. We have an in-depth review of the electric pickup that you should check out for a full rundown of the specs, interior, performance, and more, but here we’re highlighting 10 things that stood out while driving the Cybertruck. We’re here to help you decide whether to put down a deposit on Tesla’s idiosyncratic vision for the future of trucks.
1. Performance That Defies Physics
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
The 600hp All-Wheel Drive trim I tested courtesy of the peer-to-peer car-sharing service Turo has a remarkable 0-60mph time of 4.1 seconds. Even more impressive is the Cybertruck’s handling on everything from freeways to surface streets to twisty back country roads. That the 6,603-pound pickup handles as well as some sports cars I’ve tested seems to defy physics. Given that it’s a big, burly truck, however, I expected it to absorb bumps better when I took it on roads in LA’s Topanga Canyon.2. The Windshield Wiper Doesn’t Really Do Its Job
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
The Cybertruck’s single, huge windshield wiper leaves streaks more often than not. You can activate the washing fluid jets by holding down a steering wheel button for a few seconds, but even then, the windshield often doesn’t look clear.3. Get in Gear With a Flick of the WristEV automakers tend to be creative with gear shifters since their vehicles don’t have traditional transmissions. The Genesis GV60 sedan, for instance, uses a spinning and glowing sphere, while the Porsche Taycan has a lever that looks like an airplane throttle. The Cybertruck’s shifter is in the upper left corner of the dashboard touchscreen—drag up for Drive or down for Reverse. The middle position is for Park. It’s cool and innovative, but also somewhat kludgy. As a failsafe in case the screen goes dark, a more traditional PRND touchpad shifter is near the ceiling.4. Don’t Reach for a Turn Signal StalkInstead of using a traditional up/down stalk, you activate the turn signals via two small buttons on the left side of the steering wheel. It takes some adjustment, but I find this method easier and safer than removing my left hand from the wheel to signal a turn.5. Get Your Game(s) OnIf you’re bored waiting for your Cybertruck to charge—it took me just over half an hour to go from 25% to 80%—the vehicle has over a dozen games to pass the time. These include old-school TeslAtari titles such as Asteroids and Centipede, newer entries like Cuphead and Catquest, and even table games like backgammon, solitaire, and sudoku. You play them on the vehicle’s 18.5-inch dashboard touch screen and use steering wheel buttons or game controllers (Bluetooth or USB) for input.6. Play With Toys and a Digital Whoopee CushionFor more distractions while you charge, the Tesla Toybox includes several digital curios. TRAX allows you to turn the pickup into a music studio while in Park mode and includes an array of synthesized instruments and sounds; you can save your recordings to the truck’s onboard hard drive. Sketchpad lets you use your fingers to create artwork, which you can submit to Tesla “for critiquing” if you dare. The Romance option displays a virtual fireplace on the dashboard screen while you are driving. If you want to prank passengers and engage in juvenile humor, the Emissions Testing Mode emits a series of flatulence sounds through the truck’s speakers on demand and localizes it to various vehicle seats. Options include Short Shorts Ripper, Falcon Heavy, and Neurastink, along with an AI-assisted I’m So Random choice.7. No Regulation of Regen
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
Many EVs allow you to select the level of regenerative braking via steering wheel paddle shifters, which control how the vehicle slows down. The Cybertruck doesn’t allow for such adjustments, save for the option to apply the mechanical brakes when regen is limited (such as when the battery is cold). I prefer the ability to adjust the driving feel, though the Cybertruck still has sufficient braking power to slow it to a stop without a press of the brake pedal.8. Blind Spots Galore
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
Although the Cybertruck’s large glass roof gives the interior an open and airy feel, the vehicle has massive blind spots due to its thick A-pillars and small rear windows. The rearview mirror is all but worthless, too. A rear-facing camera does a decent job of reproducing the view behind the truck, while multiple cameras show what’s around the vehicle.
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9. Get Used to Fingerprints
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
The Cybertruck’s stainless steel body is cool and distinctive, but it shows fingerprints and smudges much more than a painted vehicle. After I used the windshield wiper, I even noticed unsightly drip patterns on the A-pillar the next morning. I didn’t clean the truck during my test period, but Tesla recommends using a “mild, pH-neutral soap (such as car shampoo)” and “a soft cleaning sponge in the soap mixture” to handwash the Cybertruck. And here I was thinking about using a stainless steel cleaner.10. It’s the Center of Attention
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
I’ve tested nearly 1,000 vehicles over the past 20 years and nothing has attracted attention like the Cybertruck. And this was in car-obsessed Southern California, where it takes a unique ride to impress the jaded crowds in the moneyed enclaves of Orange County and LA where I mostly drove. Everywhere I went, people turned to stare, give a thumbs-up, and roll down windows to shout positive comments and approval. Folks also swarmed me every place I parked to ask questions, take pictures, or just gawk. More EV CoverageIf the Cybertruck is too attention-grabbing for your tastes, check out our roundup of the best electric vehicles overall. And if you want to spend less, check out our list of worthwhile EVs under $40,000.
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