Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla Cybertruck customer deliveries have begun, and the long-awaited, and much hyped electric pickup truck is finally hitting the streets.

The truck has evolved since the prototype was unveiled in November 2019 with a brash, edgy design unlike any other vehicle. The polarizing styling appears to draw inspiration from the DeLorean DMC-12 and a Cub Scout’s self-made Pinewood Derby car.

Some of the specifications have changed over time, though the promised capabilities remain impressive. As Tesla claims, it combines sports car acceleration and handling; heavy-duty truck towing capacity, albeit for a short distance; and up to 340 miles of electric range. And available “extender” battery fit to the bed can stretch that well past 400 miles—but it takes up about a third of the bed space.

But along with those changes came a rise in prices. Originally pitched as having a $40,000 base price, the rear-drive Cybertruck starts at $60,990. The midlevel all-wheel-drive version starts at $79,990. And the mighty Cyberbeast lists for $99,990. The pricier trucks are promised to begin widespread delivery in 2024, with the rear-drive truck following in 2025. Tesla says the rear- and all-wheel-drive versions will be eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

Like many customers, Consumer Reports preordered a Cybertruck in 2019, with the expectation that there will be a significant wait before we take delivery. Until ours arrives, here are the highlights of this daring truck.

It competes with the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, Ram 1500 REV, and Rivian R1T.

The head-turning styling uses an alloy “exoskeleton” that won’t corrode and doesn’t need paint. To demonstrate its toughness, the company has shown that the doors can withstand multiple gunshots from a Glock and even a Tommy gun without penetration. Little League parents will appreciate that the company claims that the glass can withstand an impact from a baseball at speeds up to 70 mph.

Even the dimensions are unique. It measures 223.7 inches from bumper to bumper. That puts it between the Rivian R1T (217 inches) and the Ford F-150 Lightning (233 inches) in length. At 70.5 inches tall, the Cybertruck is 7.5 inches lower than those two rivals—and that is measured at the angled roof peak.

That height can change, with the adaptive air suspension enabling up to 12 inches of travel, for absorbing impacts off-road, and up to an uncanny 17 inches of ground clearance—made possible by the smooth undercarriage, devoid of a rear differential housing and other mechanical bits hanging low. Like hard-core off-roaders, the Cybertruck rides on massive 35-inch tires.

The Cybertruck is similar in width to the F-150 Lightning when measuring from the tips of the side mirrors. Fold them in, and the Cybertruck is 3 inches wider. Despite the sizable footprint, the four-wheel steer enables a turning circle that is smaller than a Model S, according to Tesla. Still, it will occupy much of a travel lane.

The bed features a motorized, integrated tonneau cover. It measures 6 feet long and 4 feet wide, enabling it to tote a traditional 4x8-foot sheet of plywood with the tailgate down or transport an ATV.

The bed has integrated 120- and 240-volt outlets that can power tools and camping equipment, be used to charge another electric vehicle, or provide up to 11.5 kilowatts of electricity to a compatible home during a power outage.

Further storage can be found in the front trunk (aka “frunk”), where the engine would be in a traditional trunk.