Overview The Tesla Cybertruck is perhaps the most polarizing vehicle on the road, both in its design and in the statement it makes, being the norm-busting brainchild of the brand’s ever-controversial CEO. But whether you give Cybertruck drivers a thumbs-up or a dirty look, there’s much to appreciate about the product itself. This full-size electric pickup currently comes in three specs, all of which top 300 miles of range and boast clever maneuverability-aiding steer-by-wire and rear-wheel-steering systems. The lineup-topping tri-motor Cyberbeast is also the quickest truck out there, with a 60-mph sprint time of just 2.6 seconds. And while that stainless-steel shell needs different kinds of care than your average car paint, it’s highly dent-resistant and recognizable from afar.
Expert Tip: If splotchy fingerprints on your fridge bother you, steer clear of the Cybertruck. The Rivian R1T, on the other hand, comes with a normal coat of paint, and depending on the trim and powertrain, it’s nearly as quick and capable as the Tesla.What’s New for 2026?Tesla doesn’t really do model-year updates. Instead, it introduces, deletes, and revises features at will and often without warning. So, who knows? A rear-wheel-drive model—called the Cybertruck Long Range—arrived mid-year in 2025. No changes have been announced for 2026, though the in-bed range extender we expected is officially dead. Pricing and Which One to BuyIf you’re buying a Cybertruck because you like the way it looks, the base model is all you need, and it gets the best range of the lot. If you’re after a performance machine or an off-roader, the Cybertruck AWD makes sense. It’s significantly less expensive than the Cyberbeast but still plenty quick and capable.EV Motor, Power, and Performance
- EV Motors: 315-hp single-motor (Long Range), 593-hp dual-motor (AWD), 834-hp tri-motor (Cyberbeast)
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
The Cybertruck Long Range propels only two wheels with a single motor at the back. The dual-motor AWD model’s propulsion system generates a combined 593 horsepower. Those looking for mind-bending performance will want the Cyberbeast, which features a trio of motors making a combined 834 horses. The Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast have an adjustable air suspension that can raise or lower the EV on the fly to provide up to 16 inches of ground clearance. Add that to the truck’s 35-degree approach and 28-degree departure angles and the Tesla pickup could prove to be a formidable off-road machine. On the road, the big Cybertruck feels more agile than expected. We drove a Cyberbeast and found its combination of rear-wheel steering and variable-ratio steer-by-wire tech made for easy maneuvering in urban environments.0–60-MPH Times
- C/D 60-mph Tests: 2.6 seconds (Cyberbeast), 3.9 seconds (All-Wheel-Drive)
In Comparison: The tri-motor Cyberbeast’s 2.6-second 60-mph time makes it quicker than the quad-motor Rivian R1T, which needed 3.0 seconds to get to the same speed.Additional ResearchTowing and Payload CapacityThe dual- and tri-motor Cybertrucks have a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds, while the single-motor rear-driver is rated to tug 7500 pounds. Payload varies by model and tire choice, but an all-terrain-shod Cybertruck AWD can haul the most, carrying 2500 pounds in its six-by-four-foot composite cargo bed.Range, Charging, and Battery Life
- C/D Range Test: 250 miles (Cyberbeast)
- Claimed EV Range: 320-325 miles
The Tesla Cyberbeast’s battery capacity is approximately 122.4 kWh. Tesla claims the Long Range model can recoup 147 miles in 15 minutes when hooked up to a Supercharger. In the same timeframe, the AWD model can restore 136 miles while the Cyberbeast adds back 128. In our testing, it took 50 minutes to charge the Cyberbeast’s battery from 10 to 50 percent.The electric truck’s driving range varies with the number of motors, but Tesla estimates that the single-motor Long Range will travel up to 366 miles per charge, while the dual-motor AWD and tri-motor Cyberbeast will go 325 miles and 320 miles, respectively. Those numbers are pretty optimistic: In our hands, the Cyberbeast covered just 250 miles—70 miles short of Tesla’s claim. That said, we’ve noticed similar quoted-versus-real-world range discrepancies among other electric trucks we’ve tested.Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGeSince the Cybertruck is technically considered a heavy-duty pickup truck by the EPA’s standards, Tesla isn’t required to report fuel-economy figures to the government agency. We observed 55 MPGe in mixed driving with the Cyberbeast.Interior, Comfort, and CargoFirst Row: Those who thought the Tesla Model 3’s interior was minimalistic will relive that reaction when they see the Cybertruck’s spartan cabin. The base model boasts heated front seats and one touchscreen, while the other two have seat heating and ventilation, plus a second screen for rear-seat passengers.Second Row: Headroom is surprisingly generous in the rear seat given the truck’s dramatically sloped roofline, but riders over six feet tall may find it snug. Cargo Capacity: In our testing, we found that the truck’s front trunk (frunk) holds just one carry-on suitcase, but the interior will fit 22 with the rear seats folded. The Cybertruck’s cargo bed offers 121 cubic feet of volume, and inside the bed is a hidden underfloor storage compartment that’s large enough to fit an additional suitcase.Infotainment and Connectivity
- Infotainment: 18.5-inch center touchscreen and 9.4-inch rear touchscreen
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Audio Systems: 7-speaker stereo (standard), 15-speaker stereo (optional)
Every Cybertruck has a big 18.5-inch touchscreen mounted in the center of the dashboard. In the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast, there’s also a 9.4-inch touchscreen on the back of the center console for rear-seat passengers. SiriusXM satellite radio is included, as is a Wi-Fi hotspot, but drivers hoping for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be disappointed as those features do not appear in any Tesla model.Safety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesEvery Cybertruck comes standard with Tesla’s controversial Autopilot driving feature. The brand’s Full Self-Driving system is optional. Neither system yet enables fully autonomous driving, something Tesla has long promised. The company also provides other, more basic driver-assistance technology.
- Standard Safety Features: Adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring
- Optional Safety Features: Automatic lane changing, advanced parking tech
For information about the Cybertruck’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.Warranty and Maintenance CoverageTesla provides a comprehensive warranty on its current models, however it doesn’t include any complimentary maintenance.
- Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: eight years or 150,000 miles
- Battery-Components Warranty: eight years or 150,000 miles
- Complimentary Maintenance: none
C/D Test Results and SpecsWe test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it.SpecificationsSpecifications
2024 Tesla Cybertruck Beast
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $101,985/$121,985
Options: Foundation Series (20-inch Cyber wheels with 35-inch tires, White décor, off-road light bar, premium accessories, Powershare home backup, Powershare mobile adapter, universal wall connector, Full Self-Driving capability, lifetime premium connectivity), $20,000
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 276 hp, 320 lb-ft
Rear Motor: induction AC, 284 hp, 544 lb-ft
Combined Power: 834 hp
Combined Torque: 740 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 123.0 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.5 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 250 kW
Transmissions: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/control arms
Brakes, F/R: 13.8-in vented disc/14.0-in vented disc
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Territory RT
LT285/65R-20 123/120H M+S TO
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 143.1 in
Length: 223.7 in
Width: 80.0 in
Height: 68.5–76.6 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 62/57 ft3
Front Trunk Volume: 7 ft3
Underbed Storage Volume: 3 ft3
Curb Weight: 6901 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 2.6 sec
100 mph: 6.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.0 sec @ 119 mph
130 mph: 14.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 2.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 1.8 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 131 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 367 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.75 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING
75-mph Highway Range: 250 mi
DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 50 min
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
