I drove Tesla’s Cybertruck. These 10 cool features made it (almost) seem worth the $100,000 price tag.
June 7, 20240
The Cybertruck does not mess around when it comes to power.
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The acceleration was hands-down my favorite thing about the truck. Pop it into sport mode (making sure any passengers have their heads on the headrest), floor the accelerator, and hang on tight. From 0 to 60, 70, 80, and (presumably) even more, the truck doesn’t hesitate while gobbling up the road ahead.
The regenerative braking, which isn’t optional, took a while to get used to — and was particularly tricky for the first few miles I drove in the truck each day. Back off the accelerator to coast like you’re used to in a traditional car, and you’ll be in for a nauseous ride. But hold the pedal in place, and the truck cruises smoothly down the road, responding to small touches as needed.
Touch the hidden button on the Cybertruck’s B-Pillar and the door opens.
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Although the lack of traditional door handles was strange at first, I got used to it quickly. And when my hands were full, the doors were surprisingly simple to open. To enter, you press a button on the door pillar, and the door pops ajar — just enough to grab it and open it fully (or nudge or kick or whatever it takes, depending on the situation).
Tesla’s nifty trip planner accounts for variables like the weather.
Tesla’s Cybertruck comes with handy outlets in the bed (like most trucks on the market today, gas or electric).
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The truck is electric, after all, so it should be easy to sip on some of that juice. Handy plugs around the truck’s bed and frunk, as well as inside the cabin for electronic devices, are a common feature of most electric trucks, and the Cybertruck was no exception.
The back seat was nearly as enjoyable as the front.
The Cybertruck automatically lowers its suspension for entry and exit when parked.
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To be clear, the Cybertruck is bigger than it needs to be, but that’s true for 99% of the trucks on American roads. Still, I appreciated how the truck’s adjustable suspension lowered a few inches when shifted into park for an easier entry and exit.
While driving, you can adjust this suspension higher or lower for comfort, as well.
The lockable glove box didn’t require a key.
The locking tonneau cover on the Cybertruck can be controlled by buttons near the bed, the app, or inside the vehicle.
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The tonneau cover on the Cybertruck is just as important for its alien looks as it is for aerodynamics and security. It’s controllable through the app, the interior screen, and buttons on the bed rails — and comes standard on the $100,000 truck.
Really fast charging was highly convenient.
Tesla’s Superchargers are known for being the best. But the network’s growth is in question.
Graham Rapier/Business Insider
The first 800-volt powertrain in Tesla’s lineup charges impressively fast. Tesla has said the Cybertruck can travel up to 340 miles on a single charge and has promised to eventually release a range extender, or optional second battery pack.
Some Cybertruck reviewers have said the truck’s peak power tapers off quickly. But I didn’t experience this in my two charging experiences, thanks to a limit the owner had set to protect the batteries’ long-term health.
