Overview

The Tesla Cybertruck is perhaps the most recognizable new vehicle on the road today. And probably the most innovative as well. In addition to traffic-stopping looks, this giant stainless-steel hunk of electric pickup has an aircraft-style steer-by-wire system, a cargo bed with a power retractable hard tonneau cover, and the ability to tow a claimed 11,000 pounds. It’s available as either the 600-hp dual-motor AWD or the Beast, which makes 834 horsepower from a trio of electric motors. While both are bloody fast, the Beast is the quickest pickup we’ve ever tested, with a 2.6-second 60-mph time. It managed a so-so 250 miles of range in our highway fuel-economy test, a number that’s in line with results of other big, heavy electric trucks. Though it looks nothing like other Teslas—or anything else, for that matter—its interior and functionality should be familiar to Tesla 3, S, X, and Y owners. The GMC Hummer EV Pickup comes closest to the extra-crazy of the Cybertruck, while the new Rivian R1T Quad Motor one-ups it in terms of motor count and horsepower, but we’ve yet to test its acceleration. Aside from looking like it landed from another galaxy, the Cybertruck is actually a nice-driving and reasonably practical full-size electric pickup, similar in capability and price to its equally huge EV rivals.

What's New for 2025?

Tesla claims it will start producing a range extender for the Cybertruck in mid-2025. Essentially an additional battery, the unit takes up some bed space in trade for a claimed 120-mile range boost. It has an estimated price of $16,000 and will need to be installed at a Tesla center, meaning it won’t be removable by the customer. Otherwise, there are no significant changes to the Cybertruck for 2025.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

The Cybertruck AWD’s propulsion system generates a combined 600 horsepower. Those looking for mind-bending performance will want the Cybertruck Beast, which features a trio of motors making a combined 834 horses. All Cybertrucks have all-wheel drive and an adjustable air suspension that can raise or lower the EV on the fly to provide up to 17 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 Founders Edition Beast model and found its combination of rear-wheel steering and variable-ratio steer-by-wire system made for easier maneuvering in urban environments than with a typical pickup truck.

0–60-MPH Times

The 600-hp AWD Cybertruck reached 60 mph in just 3.9 ticks at our test track; it has a top speed of 113 mph. We also tested the 834-hp tri-motor Beast, which hit 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. That makes it the quickest truck we've ever tested. It completed the quarter-mile in 11.0 seconds at 119 mph. It’s top speed is governed to 131 mph.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The dual- and tri-motor Cybertrucks have a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds; the forthcoming single-motor model is supposed to handle 7500 pounds. Every Cybertruck can also haul 2500 pounds in its six-by-four-foot composite cargo bed.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The Tesla Cybertruck Beast’s battery capacity is approximately 122.4 kWh. Tesla claims the AWD can add 136 miles in 15 minutes when hooked up to a Supercharger, while the Beast is said to add 128 miles in the same timeframe. In our testing, it took 50 minutes to charge the Beast's battery from 10 to 50 percent. The electric truck's driving range varies with the number of motors, but Tesla estimates AWD versions can travel 325 miles per charge and that the Cybertruck Beast will go 320 miles.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

Since 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. However, we subjected the Beast model to our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test where it went 250 miles on a full charge. While it fell 70 miles short of Tesla’s range claim, the result is similar to those of other electric trucks we've tested.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Those who thought the Tesla Model 3's interior was minimalistic will relive that reaction when they see the Cybertruck's spartan cabin. 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. In our testing, we found that the truck's front trunk (frunk) holds just one carry-on suitcase, but the interior held 22 with the rear seats folded up. 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 carry-on suitcase.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Cybertruck has a big 18.5-inch touchscreen mounted in the center of the dashboard. 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.

Specifications