We Rented A Tesla Cybertruck For a Ski Trip, It’s Like A Giant Golf Cart and It Made Me Sick, I Refuse To Ever Get In One Again

This Cybertruck is making me feel sick. 

Is there a problem with the Tesla Cybertruck's driving dynamics? If you ask Ansley, there is. Ansley Rabon (@ansleech) thought her dad was joking when he said he was going to rent a Tesla Cybertruck for their family ski vacation to Park City, Utah. The trip had been planned for months, and the family expected it to be a fun drive to the ski area.

Imagine arriving at the Salt Lake City airport, taking your bags out to the passenger loading area, and there it is. Your dad pulls up in a Tesla Cybertruck. You are stunned. He wasn't joking. 

Your dad loads your luggage into the bed, and after sliding the cover closed, you get into the big truck. So far, so good. 

It's about an hour's ride from the SLC airport to the Park City ski resort. You will get to travel through the snowy and scenic Rocky Mountains to get there. 

The roads are clear, but it snowed the night before you arrived. Your dad is driving; you are in the back seat while your mom navigates. However, the ride isn't smooth. 

There are numerous turns and sharp curves going over the mountain pass on the way to your ski destination. The truck lurches forward and backward as he puts on the brakes on the winding roads. That's when it hits you. Now you start feeling sick. Is it the Cybertruck or something else?

Let's pick up Ansley's account. 

"We thought our dad was joking when he said he rented a Tesla Cybertruck for our family vacation. But he wasn't joking!"

"My dad rented a Tesla Cybertruck for our family vacation because it was significantly cheaper. I'm here to say that the worst part is not how ugly it is, but how bad it lurches and brakes. It's like a giant golf cart. I have never felt so sick before."

What caused Ansley to get sick? 

Her criticism of the Cybertruck sparked a heated debate in the comments section. Some said it's because her father doesn't know how to drive an EV. Others reported feeling the same way as Ashley after riding in a Tesla vehicle themselves. This debate highlights the varying experiences people have had with the Cybertruck's driving dynamics.

Nicholas Smart says, "Everyone says this is driver error, but I test-drove one of these things (Cybertruck), and if you so much as lift your foot off the gas, it literally brakes checks you. Especially at slow speeds. It was awful.”

Ansley responds, "Driver error is definitely a contributor, but can we not acknowledge that the vehicle is also insanely sensitive and part of the problem?"

Ansley says, "I'm so ready to get out of this toaster on wheels. I'm refusing to get in one ever again," she says with revulsion. 

So, was it Ashley's dad's driving or something else? 

Part of the problem is the Cybertruck's poor visibility.

A report from Forbes says that after driving the Cybertruck for an extended time, they found that the inside of the cabin presented visibility issues for the driver and passengers. 

Forbes says, "Like other Teslas, the ceiling is tinted glass, as is the narrow rear window, which makes for a lot of glare and not a lot of visibility. The tonneau cover further obscures what you can see through the back window; with it closed, you see only the interior of the truck bed."

If you are in the backseat and can't see out, it's like riding in the bottom of a boat, and you don't have anything to fix your eyes on. You feel a rocking back and forth, making you feel sick. 

If you've driven in the mountains, it can be even worse, and you may experience motion sickness. However, being in an EV can make it worse.

An Economic Times report says EVs can contribute to motion sickness.

They say that there is a fundamental difference in driving dynamics between gasoline-powered and electric vehicles. That difference is the way gasoline and electric engines move the car forward.

The report says, "For example, whereas we would associate acceleration with the engine revving in regular gas cars, electric cars suddenly deprive us of this reference point. Also gone are the combustion engine's vibrations, which some perceive as soothing."

When an internal combustion engine (ICE) engine is in "drive," it will lurch forward slowly while on a flat surface. This means you must always be ready to put your foot on the brake when driving, i.e., you ride the brakes.

The Crybertruck's driving dynamics played a key role.  

The report says that the opposite is true for electric cars. Electric cars, like the Cybertruck or the Tesla Model 3, feature regenerative braking technology. This allows vehicles to charge batteries from a car's deceleration. The kinetic energy created when a car slows down or brakes is delivered back into the vehicle's system.

The Economic Times says that motion sickness in EVs is a significant issue. It affects around 25-30% of the population, with 60-70% of travelers experiencing sickness at some point.

Ansley's dad played a role also.  

It can be a challenge if Ansley's dad is not accustomed to driving in the mountains. Roads can be icy, and black ice is a significant issue. The driver can brake more often to prevent the vehicle from sliding.

The CDC says, "Driving in the mountains can cause motion sickness because the winding roads create a sensory conflict between what your eyes see and what your inner ear feels, leading to confusion in your brain about your body's movement, which can result in nausea and dizziness."

Conclusion.

When Ansley's dad rented the Tesla Cybertruck, he thought it would be a fun ride, but it turned out to be anything but fun, especially for Ansley. There were four factors at play. 

The Tesla Cybertruck's driving dynamics, limited visibility, her dad's inexperience, and the drive through the Utah mountains created a perfect storm. It's why Ansley was feeling carsick.

It's Your Turn.

Have you experienced motion sickness when driving or riding in an EV? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out this Tesla Cybertruck owner's story. 

Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says It’s An Expensive Brick After Washing His Truck, “I’m Only Two Months In With 3,400 Miles, My Screen Is Blank and Won’t Reset" Read my report here.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Ansley