An In Depth Look At The Tesla Cybertruck: The Potential Pros And Cons

Someone seriously needs to take an in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck. So we did it.

The Tesla Cybertruck is going to start production in 2021 with the tri-motor AWD entering production in 2022. We’ve only seen the prototype model onstage with a few lucky individuals getting the chance to go behind the wheel to take it on a test drive. This raises a lot of questions about whether it is worth getting one. And if so, which variant? Are there alternatives in the market today? So we took an in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck and its potential pros and cons.

If you haven’t heard of the Tesla Cybertruck yet…

The Tesla Cybertruck has taken the Internet by storm. It’s also made a lot of people reach into their pockets and plunk down $100 to secure one once production starts. The question is: Is the Tesla Cybertruck really worth the money?

Everyone wants to know they’re putting in a sound investment before getting anything worth a lot of money. Granted, your initial investment of $100 probably won’t put a dent on your monthly budget but paying off the total investment amount in the next couple of months will. So are you getting something really worth all the hype or is it just going to turn out as another lemon worth passing over?

Here’s an in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck, the potential pros and cons and if it’s truly worth the $100 you’re thinking of putting down (if you haven’t done it yet) to secure one.

For starters, the Tesla Cybertruck is an incredible piece of machinery with everything thrown in it to make it stand out from the rest of the trucks in production out there today. It has the looks, the performance, all the high tech features, durability, even the reasonable price tag.

A more in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck requires a pros and cons list. Read below:

The Iconic Name

Pros:

Cybertruck. 

That name just grabs your attention immediately. 

It just screams hi-tech without even trying. You put in Cyber in front of any name and you know that computers are going to be involved in it.

An in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck name reveals it wasn’t chosen at random. Months of research went into choosing the right name for this special vehicle.

And the Cybertruck doesn’t disappoint. It has onboard electronics that Tesla vehicles are known for and expected.

It also ensures that the buying public will have their sights trained on this and ready to buy it once initial production starts in 2021 and again in 2022.

Once you have it in your garage, all you have to say is you have a Cybertruck in it and people will know you have a good vehicle that everyone wants to get.

Bragging rights? Check. Instant brand recognition? Check. Cool factor? Definitely a big check!

Cons:

That name will get old fast.

In the same manner as it evokes images of your iconic vehicle, it will also date your vehicle 10 to 20 years after it comes out. It’s just like saying you have a Stingray or a Bugatti or a Hummer. At one point in time, these were the hottest things in the market. But then, everything new gets old fast with the fickle buying market.

No doubt, these vehicles will go down in history as classics but they will ultimately be tied down to a specific era in time.

Who knows what name will come out as cool a decade or two from now.

The Vehicle Design

Pros

The Tesla Cybertruck looks outrageously amazing. One look at it, even just a 2 second glance and you know you’re looking at the Tesla Cybertruck.

The angular design looks good from any point of view. It’s just not possible to take a bad picture of the Tesla Cybertruck from what we’ve seen.

An in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck future reveals the possibilities of aftermarket bull bars, mounted lights, roof racks and truck bed accessories are going to flood the market 6 months to a year after it is released to the market.

Cons

It’s cool now but will it be able to sustain that cool factor a decade after you’ve had it?

Sure, the Tesla Cybertruck looks so different from whatever’s in the market now, some would even dare say it looks like a DeLorean on steroids. But just like the DeLorean, its potential to get outdated really fast is an ever present threat.

And since it’s a very modular design, customization is pretty much limited to changing the colors of the lights, adding a layer of paint or coating it with vinyl is pretty much all you can do for now.

So, will it hold up its appeal ten years after its initial production? That remains to be seen.

Armored glass

Pros:

The armored glass is one of the highlights of the Cybertruck’s appeal. There aren’t too many pickup trucks slated to go into production with that as a basic feature.

The practical applications of having armored glass in a production vehicle raises its potential not just for commercial use but for military and industrial purposes.

Having armored glass might sound like overkill but imagine driving at a 100mph and you hit a flying object like a rock or other debris. Having extra protection saves you a trip to the manufacturers to have your windshield replaced.

Cons:

We all saw what happened when the metal ball was hurled against the armored glass. Good thing Elon Musk was able to brush it off with his funny remark that “The metal ball didn’t go through the glass”.

Most armored glass in production today for protective purposes shatter. But then again, they weren’t built up to the point where expectations exceeded actual results. All shatterproof glass have weak points especially at the edges.

So, will Tesla strengthen the armored glass design before it comes out or are we looking at buying expensive aftermarket parts if yours gets shattered?

Adaptive Suspension

Pros:

The adaptive suspension allows you to adjust your suspension according to your needs. Planning to go off-road? Raise it up a few inches. Going on a grocery run? Lower it to urban levels.

Your adaptive suspension system will make your Tesla Cybertruck fit for any occasion. You can raise it up to 16 inches of ground clearance so there’s virtually nothing that can stop this getting from point A to point B.

You can also increase the psi level to handle heavy loads or decrease it for a softer suspension travel and a comfortable ride.

I wonder if you can make it go up and down like those donk vehicles from Miami…?

Cons:

As with most vehicles, the suspension is also one of the areas that eventually gets worn down. But that’s not the disadvantage here.

The disadvantage here is that we’re looking at a very price-y maintenance/parts replacement event here once your adaptive suspension eventually breaks down. That is if Elon Musk and his team of geniuses don’t come up with a solution for this. Magic, perhaps?

Highly Durable Unibody Exoskeleton

Pros:

No one’s really done what Tesla did on their initial announcement of the vehicle onstage based on recent memory. Imagine taking a sledgehammer out and taking a full swing against a Ford F-150.

Nope.

That hasn’t happened.

And that’s what surprised the crowd when the Tesla Cybertruck rolled out and its body panels were tested. That was totally impressive. No dents, no dings, not even scuff marks.

That raises the practical function potential of the Tesla Cybertruck. As a pickup truck, it is expected to be used as a workhorse. That means loading stuff, towing stuff and probably traversing rough terrain. It can be used for commercial (and most probably) military purposes. Having a nigh indestructible truck raises its value in terms of price and intended use.

Cons:

Because it is advertised as almost indestructible, one small dent, ding or scuff mark once it is released into the market is going to raise a lot of customer complaints.

Will it be able to withstand impacts higher than that of a sledgehammer? Let’s say a bullet with a higher caliber? Will the metal be able to withstand exposure to fire?

How will it react to the elements? Will rain marks be left on it if exposed after a torrential downpour and left to dry out in the sun? Will rust/oxidation come into play?

Are their crumple zones just in case a pedestrian comes into contact with the Tesla Cybertruck? Last but not the least, what if it falls off an embankment and land on itself?

This topic actually deserves more than just a section in this in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck list.

Storage Capacity

Pros:

One of the most important things pickup truck buyers consider is the space out back in the bed. It’s a great thing the Tesla Cybertruck has a truck bed length of 6.5 feet and around 100 cubic feet of cargo area. That means you lug around a lot of stuff.

Add the locking tonneau and you have the security and peace of mind to travel anywhere, park it and not worry about losing your stuff.

Cons:

An in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck reveals anything over 6.5 feet in length is going to end up sticking out. So loading plywood at the basic board feet of 8 feet is going to prove to be a challenge.

You won’t be able to lock the tonneau cover to protect it too.

Self Driving Function

Pros:

If there’s one function that is totally unique to Tesla, or at least pioneered by Tesla, it’s the self-driving function which totally removes the human factor from impeding the vehicle and its passengers’ safety on the road.

An in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck and why the self-driving option came as an afterthought revealed that some owners still like having full control at all times.

Cons:

You will have to cough up an extra $7,000 to have this feature added to your already awesome machine. The sad thing is, this going to be part of the computer system. This is not an isolated system, it is going to need to connect with satellite systems and eventually, other vehicles on the road for navigation purposes. This is where security is at risk as errors may occur, compromising your navigation system as a result.

But this is all speculation at this point, so Tesla might come up with a more secure system once production starts.

Variant Choices

An in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck reveals there are three variants available. Each one has its unique pros and cons.

We have the Single Motor RWD, The Dual Motor AWD and the Tri Motor RWD. Let’s have a closer look at these three:

So on paper, everything is identical except for the drive train, motor configuration, towing capacity, range and speed.

Single Motor RWD

For entry level pickup truck buyers, this’ll most probably be the one they’ll get for the price and value it presents. It has everything Tesla promises save for a lower towing capacity of just 7,500 lbs and a limited range of just 250 miles.

This is also the most affordable variant at only $39,900. add $7,000 and you’ll get the self-driving option installed.

This is also relatively the slowest of the bunch with a 0 to 60 acceleration of 6.5 seconds. Not something to really scoff at though if you compare it to some of the faster production vehicles in the market today.

This is more practical for commercial use and light work in and around the suburbs.

Dual Motor AWD

This is predicted to be the one that’ll garner the most sales simply because it sits right in the middle of the 3 Tesla Cybertruck variants. An in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck with Dual Motor AWD reveals it has a more practical 300 mile range per top up, a very respectable towing capacity of 10,000 lbs and a 0 to 60 acceleration rate of 4.5 seconds.

That’s a winner on paper.

The price tag of just $49,900 for added power, towing capacity and range also helps the decision making process faster for customers looking for more value than that presented by the basic model.

This is designed for heavier workloads and not just for personal use. Add $7,000 and you’ll also have the self-driving option in.

Tri Motor AWD

The top of the line choice in this list probably deserves an entire article devoted to give us a more in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck Tri Motor AWD. This variant comes out in 2022 so there’s going to be a lot of waiting involved before anyone gets his hands on this.

This makes it a very desirable vehicle and those with the money are scrambling to get. The actual figures show that this is giving the Single Motor RWD variant a run for it’s money. People don’t seem to mind the $69,900 price tag attached to it.

Who wouldn’t want to have a pickup truck that accelerates at 2.9 seconds from 0 to 60, have an extended range of 500 miles and a towing capacity of 14,000 lbs?

This truck is targeted to capture those who want it for practical use perhaps in farms, rough terrain and military purposes. There are news that the initial outing is already reserved for our armed forces. Who can blame them? A tough body and armored glass as standard features on a powerful truck is enough to make a statement that they’re serious about protection.

For private individuals, just nowing they have a very capable truck in their hands is enough to justify the price of buying one Tri Motor AWD variant over buying 2 single motor RWD variants with the same amount of money. Add the $7,000 and that’s one very hi-tech piece of equipment rolling over any and all types of terrain with ease.

How Does The Tesla Cybertruck measure up against other trucks in the market?

Comparing the Tesla Cybertruck to other pickup trucks is inevitable. This is an in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck and its ability to go up against its potential competitors once production starts

Everyone just wants to know how it will measure up against the top trucks in the market today. So we brought in the Ford F-150, The Rivian R1T and the Bollinger B2. Which one is better? What advantage does the Tesla Cybertruck have over each one? Here’s the comparison test:

The Tesla Cybertruck vs the Bollinger B2

The Bollinger B2 is perhaps the weakest contender during the comparison test but only because the Bollinger B2 is designed for a different market. Where the Tesla Cybertruck is marketed to appeal to regular pickup buyers, the Bollinger B2 is designed to attract those who are more into off-roading activities.

But that’s not to say the Bollinger B2 is made of weak sauce. The Bollinger B2’s dual-motor setup boasts 614 hp and 668 lb-ft of torque. It is an off-roading machine made for fun and not for traveling long distances.

The Bollinger B2 can only travel up to 200 miles per charge. Definitely a far cry from Tesla Cybertruck’s 500 miles range.

In terms of looks, the Bollinger B2 is a more acceptable looking electric vehicle with a resemblance to an old Land Rover. This makes it a winner as it evokes an emotional response from most consumers looking for something powerful to take off-road without damaging the environment too much.

The Bollinger B2 can blend in easily with other off-roaders without too much attention given to it due to its iconic look.

What probably makes the Bollinger B2 the last on the list is its price. At $125,000, you could easily buy 3 basic Tesla Cybertrucks (2 if you opt to get the ones with the self-driving feature) and have one for daily use and one for tearing up the backyard.

So, huge sticker price with less power and range makes the Tesla Cybertruck a winner in this comparison test. If it’s any consolation, the Bollinger B2 definitely looks better and would definitely win hands-down if this was a comparison based on beauty alone.

The Tesla Cybertruck vs the Ford F-150

Comparing the Tesla Cybertruck to the Ford F-150 is a very controversial topic. For one these two effectively are brand ambassadors. Both pickup trucks easily evoke brand recognition.

Ford F-150 can easily produce the numbers in sales due to its looks and brand loyalty it has cultivated over the years. This is, after all, America’s most popular best-selling pickup truck. This could prove to be the Tesla Cybertruck’s biggest hurdle to overcome.

But then again, there’s video evidence that the Tesla Cybertruck trumps the Ford F-150 in terms of power after going up against it in an uphill tug of war battle. Yeah, that means the Tesla Cybertruck was put at a huge disadvantage having to pull the Ford F-150 while battling the pull of gravity.

But to be fair, let’s take a more in-depth look into the Ford F-150’s specs:

Surprisingly, for all its looks, when compared to all the other trucks here, the Ford F-150 is the least powered with only 450 hp and a 510 lb-ft torque. There are unsubstantiated reports out there that claim more but that remains to be seen. The forecasted range for this electric vehicle is only at 300 miles which is only a little over that of the Bollinger B2. The practical application of the Ford F-150 is pretty limited at this time of writing.

The Ford F-150 has a towing capability of 13,200 lbs which is pretty powerful. The Tesla Cybertruck on the other hand, can tow 14,000 lbs which explains why the F-150 lost in the tug of war. Still, that’s a pretty impressive towing capability and for a pickup that’s already in production, a lot of people are already enjoying this truck’s power.

The Ford F-150’s payload leaves a lot to be desired with its capability at only 3,270 lbs. even the Bollinger B2 does better than that with 5,000 lbs easily hauled around in its extended truck bed.

The Ford F-150 does have something that all the other trucks in this list are envious of. It has an eight foot bed that means it can haul around more item provided it doesn’t exceed the payload limit. All others have an average of 6.5 feet of bed space in the back. The Bollinger B2 can cheat a little by extending its cargo space into the cabin giving it a total length of 8 feet 2 inches.

The Tesla Cybertruck, although only having 6.5 feet of bed space provides 100 cubic feet of space. It also has the ability to seal itself and lock into place. There’s also extra space out front where the engine is supposed to be but isn’t because it’s an electric pickup.

The Ford F-150 remains as the most affordable in this list with its sticker price of only $29,000 for the base model and around $68,000 for the top of the line model with limited trim and all the premium accessories. No wonder it is the best-selling pickup truck in America and other parts of the world. 

The Tesla Cybertruck comes in at $39,900 without the self-driving feature. Justifying plunking down an additional $10,000 might be a challenge for some buyers looking to save money without sacrificing too much on power, function and looks.

The Tesla Cybertruck vs the Rivian R1T

So far, the only one that seems to have gotten it right is the Rivian R1T. It has almost the same amount of power, towing and payload capabilities, range and looks. So what makes the Tesla Cybertruck different from the Rivian R1T?

The Rivian R1T comes with 750 hp and around 29 lb-ft of torque. Not bad. It’s jus ta few numbers shy of what Tesla is offering. Even the range of the Rivian R1T is nothing to scoff at. At 400 miles per top up, the Rivian R1T secures its spot at second only to the Cybertruck.

Where this in depth look at the Tesla Cybertruck is all speculation at this point, the Rivian R1T has already wowed crowds all over the world with its demonstrations of just how capable it is as a production level electric pickup.

Which brings us to the next point, how much weight can it handle?

The Rivian R1T has a very respectable towing capability of 11,000 lbs. That’s just 3,000 lbs shy of what the Tesla Cybertruck can handle. For a real world comparison, we compared the Rivian R1T to the Ford F-150. The Ford F-150 maxes out at 13,200. That’s just a 200 pound difference which is negligible in the truck world.

So yeah, if you need to pull something from point A to point B, the Rivian R1T can get the job done just as well as the Tesla Cybertruck and the Ford F-150.

It’s a shame though that the Rivian R1T just has a 23.5 cubic feet volume of storage out back. That means, you won’t have the ability to place a lot of stuff on your pickup truck bed. It’s a good thing you can attach a trailer behind it to store whatever you want to lug around.

It has a powered, locking tonneau though so you can store whatever you want in the truck bed and have that peace of mind that no one will be able to touch it.

So far, the Rivian R1T has fallen a bit short of the Tesla Cybertruck in terms of performance. Is the price point going to make it or break it? Sadly, no. The Rivian R1T could’ve been a winner if not for its $69,000 price tag. And that’s just for the base model. Expect the price to rise by at least $10,000 more for the higher end models.

Will it reach the $100,000 mark? Probably. And that’s the saddest thing of all since the Rivian R1T is a really strong contender on paper that could give the Tesla Cybertruck a run for its money.

Is the Tesla Cybertruck the one for you or should you hold out for a better offer in the future?

On paper, the Tesla Cybertruck is a winner. It’s the truck everyone’s been dreaming of having. Tough, reliable, power-efficient and fast with all the features to make a rocket ship envious. Add the relatively affordable price tag and you have a very attractive that everyone should have. 

But we can’t make that decision for you. Ultimately, that’s you reaching into your pocket and writing that check. Here’s hoping the pros and cons listed helps you make the right decision.

Related Questions

Is it worth getting the Rivian instead of the Tesla Cybertruck?

The Rivian R1T is considered as the only answer to Tesla’s Cybertruck today. Based on the specs, this truck is a tough contender. The Tesla Cybertruck’s look might be a tough sell for most people and that’s where the Rivian R1T has an advantage with its readily acceptable and recognizable look. 

Which Tesla Cybertruck variant should I get?

There are currently 3 variants available for pre-order with 2 ready for production by 2021 which is the Single Motor RWD at $39,900.00 and Dual Motor AWD at $49,900. The Tri Motor AWD will be available after 2022 at 69,900.00. Add $$7,000 for the full self-driving feature. 

What Other Problems Does The Tesla Cybertruck Have?

As of this writing, the only issue the Tesla Cybertruck has is its armored glass’ integrity. It’s a good thing it was spotted immediately so it can be improved before production starts. Other issues predicted might include the suspension & the electronic drive system. Other than that, it’s perfect.