The Most Honest Tesla Cybertruck Review You Will Ever Hear

For the past two years, the Tesla Cybertruck has gotten more press than any other vehicle. This is not surprising since it comes from the company that revolutionized not just the idea but the fulfillment of the idea to fruition that electric cars are practical and will inevitably become the future of the automotive industry and what the public will choose when shopping for their vehicles.

Is the Tesla Cybertruck a Truck?

The allure of the Tesla Cybertruck has held strong for several years, beginning with little more than the concept of a futuristic vehicle on a whiteboard. Looking more like a vehicle from the TV series Space 1999 with its angular body design and non-gasoline motor(s) powering the wheels, a Cybertruck future was uncertain.

If not for the production of a variety of Tesla EV models during the interim, it is unlikely that the promise of the Cybertruck would have maintained its following for so long. Cybertruck hopefuls, however, knew that if they waited just long enough for Tesla to finish working out the final details toward making an EV practical, their long wait would eventually be rewarded with the much-anticipated Cybertruck.

Today, a cadre of Cybertruck owners―happy and not―are headlining the latest news causing some confusion on whether the Cybertruck was worth the wait, worth the expense, and not-so-oddly, whether the Cybertruck is a truck.

Key Points That Make It a Truck:

Technically, the Tesla Cybertruck is indeed classified as a truck, but it challenges traditional truck design in several ways.

1. Utility and Payload: The Cybertruck is designed to perform typical truck functions, such as towing and carrying heavy loads. Tesla claims a payload capacity of up to 3,500 pounds and a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds, depending on the model.
2. Size and Configuration: It has the size and dimensions of a full-size pickup truck, with a large cargo bed (referred to as a "vault") and seating for up to six people. Its overall dimensions are comparable to other full-size trucks like the Ford F-150.
3. Off-Road Capability: The Cybertruck is designed for off-road use with adjustable air suspension and a durable exoskeleton made from ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel. This gives it the ruggedness expected of a truck.

What Makes It Unconventional:

1. Design: The Cybertruck's design is unlike any other truck on the market. It has a futuristic, angular appearance, which is a radical departure from the more conventional design of most pickup trucks.
2. Construction: Traditional trucks typically have a body-on-frame construction, where the body and chassis are separate. The Cybertruck, however, has a unibody design where the body and chassis are integrated, which is more common in cars and SUVs.
3. Electric Powertrain: As an all-electric vehicle, the Cybertruck lacks the internal combustion engine and associated components (like a large transmission), giving it unique performance characteristics, including quick acceleration and reduced maintenance needs.

So, while the Tesla Cybertruck meets some of the qualifications of functionality of a truck, it also pushes the boundaries of what people typically expect from a pickup truck.

An Honest and Unbiased Tesla Cybertruck Review

For an honest and unbiased recent review of the Tesla Cybertruck, a well-known and respected popular mechanic from The Car Care Nut YouTube channel provides an in-depth look and explanation of what makes the Cybertruck a Cybertruck, pointing out what is impressive and not so impressive about this vehicle.

The value of this video is that it will be informative for the discerning non-Tesla fan wondering if the Cybertruck might be the right vehicle for them based on the facts―rather than the hype―and if it is a good alternative to buying a more traditional truck.

Points focused on the video include:

• A look under the "hood" where the magic is.
• The Heat Pump System and why it is years ahead of other auto manufacturers.
• The 48V system breakthrough for cars.
• The Steer By Wire System. How does it work and is it safe?
• A look under the chassis. I see Chinese parts!
• The loved and hated exterior and interior pluses and minuses, including the build quality.
• Notable features of the Cybertruck.
• Final thoughts for truck shoppers.

That said, the video review is posted below. However, if you do not have time to watch the video, a summary of the host's opinion about whether or not the Cybertruck is for truck shoppers is provided for your convenience below the video.

Car Mechanic Reviews The Tesla Cybertruck! Breakthrough or Super Gimmick?

The Truck Shopper Question Summary

The host's opinion is that the Tesla Cybertruck is really neither a car nor a truck but more accurately, an experiment in progress that although cool with some impressive tech, it is still more of a gimmick than it is a usable truck that owners will be happy to own.

He points out that when you give engineers all the money they need to create something original on the tech side but not so much for the build quality, you invariably wind up with something like a Cybertruck.

"…let me say one thing if you look at this and consider it, or own one and you are going to use this as a truck…yeah…no, this you can't use as a truck―I'm sorry I just have to say this," states the host. "The day that people will actually use trucks like this as a work truck is the day we have flying cars!"

In other words, the Tesla Cybertruck is not practical as a truck and it will not meet the expectations of what truck owners expect of their truck: It is too expensive, likely too fragile requiring prohibitively expensive repairs, and too gimmicky to keep a truck owner satisfied for long if he or she wants to use it like they did their previous trucks.

For additional articles related to the Tesla Cybertruck, here are two for your consideration:

• Don't Buy a Tesla Cybertruck If You Have This Phobia
• Cybertruck Type EVs That Are Likely Worse for the Environment Than Most ICE Vehicles

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWritesfor daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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