Tesla Cybertruck: Is It Worth The Price?

November 25, 2019

The Blade Runner inspired electric pickup truck– the Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled last Thursday, which created a lot of buzz over the Internet. But the real question for many future buyers– Is Tesla Cybertruck worth the price?

Tesla is selling the base model single motor rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck for $39,900. Meanwhile, its mid-level dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) is tagged at $49,900, and the top-of-the-line tri-motor AWD costs $59,900. Customers can also avail of the self-driving feature for the pickup to the tune of $7,000.

Is Tesla Cybertruck worth the price? In all honesty, it’s still too early to determine if that price point justifies all that the Cybertruck could offer. Furthermore, its production is slated two years from now, and during that period, Tesla may tweak the unit we saw during its unveiling. Regardless, we can all expect this electric pickup to disrupt the current automotive market.

While we can’t give a definite conclusion, we can still give it a fair evaluation of the Cybertruck based on the currently available information. Furthermore, it’s not the only electric pickup truck that’s around the block.

With that said, let’s delve deeper into the spec sheet of this “sustainable” pickup truck.

Tesla Cybertruck Specs

Aside from the allure of having a pickup truck worthy of being included in a post-apocalyptic movie, Cybertruck has other selling points.

Pickups are generally known as gas guzzlers, which also means they leave a large carbon footprint. The Cybertruck is going against the traditional design of trucks and pegs itself as an eco-friendly alternative.

Below are its specs:

	Single Motor Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)	Dual Motor All Wheel Drive (AWD)	Tri-Motor All Wheel Drive (AWD)
Towing Capacity	7,500+ lbs	10,000+ lbs	14,000+ lbs
Range	250+ miles	300+ miles	500+ miles
0-60 mph Acceleration	<6.5 seconds	<4.5 seconds	<2.9 seconds
Auto Pilot	Yes	Yes	Yes

According to Motor Trend, it’s possible that the Cybertruck has a Plaid powertrain which is expected to produce around 800 horsepower and 1,356 Nm of torque.

The Cybertruck is also expected to have a ground clearance of 16-inches plus some form of off-roading capability. The Tesla truck can also comfortably seat six people, including the driver, as seen during its demo launch.

Tesla Cybertruck Design

Aside from its features and performance, another factor that can affect the price of a vehicle is its aesthetic value. Right now, the Cybertruck has the most revolutionary and “eye-catching” design for a pickup. Its wedge-like design, coupled with a stainless steel frame gives it a futuristic look.

Tesla CEO and founder Elon Musk referred to it as the vehicle that will break the typical pickup truck mould that has existed for almost a century.

Some auto reviewers even likened it to a DeLorean, albeit it has an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) vibe. True enough to its facade, the Cybertruck is built like a tank and is even touted as bullet-resistant.

During the presentation, its doors were hit with a sledgehammer, but it didn’t suffer any damage or dents. However, when it’s bulletproof armored glass was tested by throwing ball bearings at it– the unbreakable broke. On a positive note, the ball bearing did not go through.

Later, Tesla released a statement that they will eventually fix this issue before production begins in 2021. The Cybertruck is also now in pre-order status with a $100 reservation fee.

Tesla Cybertruck Design — Image Source: Tesla

5 Unique Features of the Tesla Cybertruck

Aside from what we already mentioned, there are several key features that we think could justify the current price of the Tesla Cybertruck. Many of these features are not commonly found on gas-powered pickup trucks.

Among the notable features which one should consider before buying this electric pickup truck are:

Stainless Steel Exoskeleton

Tesla has been producing revolutionary designs since the release of the Tesla Roadster in 2008. In the case of the Cybertruck, they installed 30X cold-rolled stainless-steel as the skin of the pickup. The rigid structural layout provides maximum protection from things like road debris.

Furthermore, steel exoskeleton may also prove crucial during crashing incidents. The durable steel frame can significantly absorb some force during impact. Tesla also equipped it with adaptive air suspension for a firm yet smooth ride.

All-Electric Drivetrain

Should everything goes according to schedule, 2022 will be the first time we might see an electric pickup on our roads. The combination of an electric engine on a utilitarian vehicle is quite exciting, especially to a world that is now focusing on sustainable energy.

According to Tesla, the top-of-the-line Cybertruck model with Tri-Motor AWD drivetrain can accelerate 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. We can also expect better handling from this truck thanks to its lower center of gravity and unibody construction.

Spacious Interior

Based on the Initial pictures of the Cybertruck’s interior, it has a 3-3 seating arrangement. The cabin seems spacious enough and has plenty of legroom. According to Tesla, the truck’s second-row seats will also have extra storage under them. Moreover, they will also install a 17-inch touchscreen navigation system.

Vault-like Storage

Cybertruck is first and foremost meant to be a workhorse, much like its competitors. The truck has a payload of 3,500 lbs, which is bound to be the largest cargo weight in its class. In comparison, the 2020 Ford F-150’s 3,270 lbs load capacity. Tesla is also planning to add additional lockable storage in the vehicle’s frunk (front trunk), underbed, and sail, which amounts to an additional 100 lbs.

Tesla Armored Glass

Despite failing on its debut, Tesla’s armored glass holds seems quite promising. The combination of glass and polymer-layered composite is one of the most robust materials for car windows.

Overall, Tesla’s value proposition seemed very sound, given the quality of life features that they added to traditional pickups.

Tesla Cybertruck Pre-Orders Are Out

Just a day after its release, the Cybertruck has received over 146,000 pre-orders, according to its CEO Elon Musk. The initial figures place these pre-orders at a valuation of more than $8 billion.

According to Musk, both the tri-motor AWD and dual motor AWD variants each have 41-percent and 42-percent of the orders, respectively. Meanwhile, the single motor model accounts for 17-percent.

The pre-orders are comparable to the success of the 180,000 initial reservations for the Model 3 when it was unveiled in 2016. Back then, the reservation for the electric sedan was $1,000. Tesla is pre-ordering the Cybertruck at a measly $100 reservation fee.

Industry experts are also expecting the pre-order numbers to climb, and it’s not far fetched that it may exceed the 300,000 mark.

Tesla Cybertruck vs. Other Electric Pickups

As mentioned, the Cybertruck is not the only electric pickup that we can expect to see in the next couple of years. Several other large automotive companies and start-ups have also announced their own electric trucks.

Below are some of the competition that the Tesla Cybertruck must face to win this new category in the automotive industry:

Rivian R1T Pickup

Earlier this year, Michigan-based startup Rivian announced that they are making an electronic pickup and SUV. Currently, these models are being tested, and distribution may proceed as early as next year.

This pickup can carry 5 passengers and has a payload of 1,700+ lbs. It also runs on a 4motor vehicle AWD and has a top speed of 125 mph.

The Rivian R1T pickup has a price tag of $69,000. Unlike the Cybertruck, it has the shape of the traditional pickup that we know, albeit its drivetrain is electric. It incorporates a “skateboard” platform where the suspension, drive units, thermal system, and brake are all below the height of its wheels. This design provides more interior room and better center of gravity for the vehicle.

Aesthetically, the R1T also looks a bit futuristic, especially on its beefy front grille. It has a broad strip of LED that lights up green when the unit fully charges that gives it a unique character. Rivian is also offering three battery packages for this vehicle– 105 kWh, 135 kWh, and 180 kWh.

Below are the Rivian RT1 specs:

	105 kWh Battery	135 kWh Battery	180kWh Battery
Power	300 kW	522 kW	562 kW
Torque	560 Nm	1,120 Nm	1,120 Nm
Pulling Power	7,000 Nm	14,000 Nm	14,000 Nm
0-60 mph	4.9 seconds	3.2 seconds	3 seconds
Range	230+ miles	300+ miles	400+ miles

Lordstown Endurance

Lordstown Motors just acquired one of GM’s largest factories and has set its sights to beat the Tesla on the electric pickup category. Days before the Cybertruck’s debut, Lordstown introduced its sustainable truck– the Endurance.

Pegged at $52,500 before tax credits, the Endurance is now on the pre-order status with a $1,000 reservation fee. However, Lordstown has yet to release or demo a working prototype unit. For now, only pictures of the electric pickup are available online.

Lordstown has also claimed that Endurance will be the first electric pickup truck to hit the road in the fourth quarter of 2020. The company is also targeting to sell the first batch of its electric pickups to businesses.

Lordstown Endurance — Image Source: Assembly Magazine

The upstart car manufacturer said on their website that the Endurance would have 260 miles per charge. It goes on to elaborate on the features of their electric truck, which will include:

Tighter turning radius
Extra-large frunk storage
No oil changes and emissions
The re-gen braking feature that extends the brake’s life
Few moving parts
Telematics

Currently, it would seem that the Endurance is slated as a commercial vehicle rather than a passenger vehicle of sorts.

Other US-made Electric Pickup

Not to be outdone, GM also announced this month that it is also planning to release its own electric pickup in the next couple of years. GM, however, has yet to reveal its name or any other details about the unit. However, it has teased that the GM truck will be on sale in the fall of 2021.

Ford has also expressed the same willingness to build its electric truck. But for now, they too have yet to reveal more details about the new vehicle.

Tesla Cybertruck vs. Diesel Powered Pickups

The Cybertruck might be closely competing with other electric pickups; however, let’s not forget it’s still under the truck category. That means it also has to compete with other diesel-powered pickups that the U.S. and other parts of the world have come to love.

Many industry experts also said that the only way for the Cybertruck to dominate this category is if they could convert GM, Ford, and Chrysler pickup owners to their side. That’s a pretty tall order considering the history between Americans and its local pickups.

Let’s look into some of the diesel-powered pickups that the Cybertruck are in direct collision with:

2020 Ford F-150

The F-150 has reigned over the US pickup truck segment for several decades. It’s a beloved workhorse that is known for its powerful engine and excellent towing capability. Furthermore, it has one of the largest cargo areas in its class.

Ford is currently marketing the 2020 Ford F-150 between $30,090 for the LX base model and up to $69,080 for the Premium variant. This price range is undoubtedly on the territory of the Tesla Cybertruck.

Consequently, the F-150 has also morphed into a luxury cruising ride because of our changing times. It’s most potent twin-turbo V-6 engine can pull up to 13,200-lbs– the best in the full-size SUV class. Its powerful engine is mated with a 10-speed transmission that provides exemplary handling.

On the flip side, even its turbocharging feature and aluminum construction won’t save the fact that it’s a gas guzzler. In short, you will have to spend more on fuel to keep it on the road. And herein lies the advantage of electric pickups.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Another iconic American pickup truck that is hard to miss, the Chevrolet Silverado is fiercer than ever. Chevy adds in another engine option for its 2020 release of this beloved pickup– a 3.0-Liter inline-six engine that produces 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of towing power, the Silverado’s 9,300-lbs tow rating seats comfortably at the top five best pullers right

The LT base model for the 2020 Silverado 1500 is pegged at $45,200, while its top-of-the-line High Country variant seats at $57,090.

Chevrolet is also equipping the Silverado 1500 with the familiar 10-speed automatic transmission, which comes with a manual shifter. Interior-wise, it has the same materials and design as those released this year.

What is a bit different about the upcoming Silverado, though, is the inclusion of new features such as adaptive cruise control and up to 15 camera views.

Can the Cybertruck Compete Against Current Trucks on the Market?

Based on the available information about the Cybertruck, it can go head-to-head with some of the most popular pickups, especially in the full-sized truck category. Tesla’s pickup has a value proposition where most of the traditional pickups tend to fail.

The fact that it leaves minimal carbon footprint is quite welcoming, especially for the environment. Its towing capacity and cargo limit are equal if not higher than most of the trucks we have today.

However, there are still several unknowns that might change the general opinion about the Cybertruck. For example, the amenities and gadgetries that will be installed haven’t been finalized. Also, there is that issue with their bulletproof glass, which needs to be fixed.

Overall, Cybertruck is a promising piece of the vehicle. Its head-turning design and sustainable drivetrain might have given us a glimpse of the future.

Conclusion

So is the Tesla Cybertruck worth its $39,900 to $69,900 price tag? Definitely, yes. It’s a groundbreaking vehicle that has a lot to offer, especially in a vehicle segment that remains unchanged for several decades. If you are in the market for a pickup, it’s definitely in the list of the trucks you should look into.