I Bought The Most Controversial Truck In America, And These Are My Cybertruck's Honest First Impressions

There’s something uniquely American about the kind of truck you drive. For some, it’s a tool, an honest machine of labor and load. For others, it’s identity forged in steel, horsepower, and four-wheel drive. Pickup culture in this country is a tribal language spoken in torque specs and tailgate parties, a handshake between the working class and wide-open spaces. 

Disrupting American Truck Culture

So when Tesla hurled a stainless-steel doorstop into this sacred order, something equal parts sci-fi and unique, the reaction was inevitable. Half the country laughed it off, the other half lined up with $100 deposits.

And now, with the Cybertruck finally on the road, we find ourselves in a place no one expected: watching the future of trucks unfold, one absurd polygon at a time. People on Reddit have hated or loved the Cybertruck, but let's look at the love people have for it. 

"I just picked up this and dropped it off to have it wrapped, so I’ll definitely post again. I bought this because I have my own tech company and love how it stands out from other trucks.

I feel a bit scared about all the hate out there, but I am still excited to be part of this community! Favorite feature: FSD and so much storage!"

Tech Innovation Meets American Grit

That confession, earnest, a little anxious, and brimming with pride, tells you everything you need to know about the Cybertruck. It’s not just a vehicle; it’s a rolling thesis statement. This isn’t your father’s pickup, this is a statement piece for tech entrepreneurs, a postmodern tank made for highway lanes and software updates. The Cybertruck is not here to win a beauty contest; it’s here to split the room. As one Redditor put it, it’s a cross between a DeLorean and a tank, and frankly, that’s an insult to tanks. But guess what? It’s sold out until 2027. The ugliest truck in America is also one of the most in-demand. If that doesn’t say something about where we’re headed, nothing does

Inside Tesla’s Cybertruck: Engineering Marvels & Quality Challenges

• The Cybertruck features a unique exoskeleton structure, utilizing ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel. This design choice enhances durability and provides a distinctive, futuristic appearance. The exoskeleton eliminates the need for a traditional frame, integrating the body and chassis into a single structure, which contributes to the vehicle's rigidity and strength. ​
• Tesla has implemented several cutting-edge manufacturing techniques in the production of the Cybertruck. Notably, it is the first mass-produced vehicle to utilize a fully 48-volt low-voltage electrical system, replacing the traditional 12-volt system. This change allows for reduced wiring weight and increased efficiency. Additionally, the Cybertruck employs a fully steer-by-wire system, eliminating the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels, which allows for more precise control and flexibility in design. ​
• Despite its innovative design, the Cybertruck has faced significant quality control issues. Reports have highlighted problems such as misaligned doors, uneven surfaces, and parts secured primarily with adhesive rather than traditional methods like bolts or welding. These issues have led to concerns about the vehicle's structural reliability and have resulted in delays in deliveries as Tesla addresses these problems.

This thing is a contradiction on wheels. It’s fast, yes, absurdly so. It’ll eat your Raptor or TRX alive in a stoplight drag. However, more than performance, the Cybertruck represents a shift in thinking. It’s that old enthusiast adage in reverse: it’s like driving a slow car fast, except this time, you’re driving a fast truck that feels like it’s slow because your brain’s still trying to catch up to what you’re looking at. It’s jarring. It’s unsettling. It’s exhilarating. Tesla didn’t evolve the pickup,  it lobotomized it, rebuilt it, and left the scars visible.

The Cybertruck’s Contradictory Thrill

Even its most ardent defenders admit that it’s not attractive in any conventional sense. It’s Brutalism on wheels, and yet, that’s exactly the point. The Cybertruck isn’t a mistake in aesthetics; it’s an act of defiance. The flat panels and bare metal aren’t lazy, they’re intentional.

It’s a rejection of every flowing line and creased fender on the road. Tesla’s experimental design process, the 30X cold-rolled stainless steel exoskeleton, the absence of paint, and the unapologetic weirdness, are what allows this truck to exist at all. In a world of rounded-off Rivians and safe electric SUVs, this is a concrete bunker with WiFi.

The Unconventional Design of the Cybertruck

And maybe that’s why people can’t stop talking about it. This isn’t just a vehicle you drive,  it’s one you wear. You don’t blend in with a Cybertruck; you broadcast. From Reddit threads to Instagram reels, it’s the truck that everyone has an opinion about. One Reddit comment nailed it with ruthless honesty: “God that thing is ugly… Also me: I want one.” That’s the magic trick. It’s a paradox, a paradox that Tesla seems to relish. Even the critics secretly want a turn behind the wheel, if only to see if it really lives up to the hype or the hate.

Cultural Icon or Controversy? The Cybertruck’s Polarizing Presence

And yet, the hype machine keeps rolling. As of this writing, demand far exceeds supply. Aftermarket shops are cashing in on wraps, accessories, and stainless-steel polish. Forums like Cybertruck Owners Club read like fan fiction meets tech manual. Owners post photos like proud parents at a kindergarten recital. And despite the flak, there’s a reason these trucks are still flying off Tesla’s order sheets: this isn’t just a vehicle,  it’s a lifestyle pivot. It’s no longer about what your truck can do; it’s about what it says about you.

The Unstoppable Rise of the Cybertruck

Of course, that swagger comes at a cost. The Cybertruck has its flaws,  plenty of them. Early build issues, software quirks, and design compromises are all part of the package. You’ll need a generous garage and a thick skin. But in the same breath, the thing hauls like a beast, bristles with tech, and pushes the boundaries of what a truck can be. FSD (Full Self-Driving) might still be in beta purgatory, but it’s there, humming quietly beneath the surface. There’s storage everywhere, clever touches in the sail pillars, and more torque than a herd of bulls on espresso. You’re not buying perfection,  you’re buying provocation.

Balancing Genius with Absurdity

So where does that leave us? Somewhere between genius and absurdity. The Cybertruck is not for everyone,  and that’s the point. It doesn’t want to be liked. It wants to be noticed, argued over, laughed at, envied, vandalized, and worshipped. It’s a rolling spectacle, a steel rebuttal to complacency, a truck that punches you in the face and asks if you want another. And maybe that’s exactly what America needed.

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.