The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck is not a truck. It’s a stainless‑steel conversation piece that happens to have a bed, an 816‑volt battery pack, and the thrust of a missile. If you’re searching for a **2024 Tesla Cybertruck review** because you’re tempted by the hype, and maybe those viral drag‑race clips, let’s walk through what this thing actually is in the cold light of ownership.
What this review covers
2024 Tesla Cybertruck at a Glance
Key 2024 Cybertruck Numbers
On paper, the Cybertruck is a full‑size, five‑seat pickup with a 6‑foot composite bed, integrated tonneau cover and ramp, and up to 9.6 kW of onboard power for tools or home backup. Underneath, it’s a dedicated EV platform with dual‑ or tri‑motor all‑wheel drive, adaptive air suspension, steer‑by‑wire, and rear‑axle steering. In reality, it’s also 223.7 inches long and wrapped in cold‑rolled stainless steel that shrugs off shopping carts and magnifies every parking mistake.
2024 Cybertruck Trims & Core Specs
Approximate manufacturer specs for the launch-year Cybertruck models.
| Trim | Drivetrain | 0–60 mph | EPA Range (est.) | Max Towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWD (announced, limited availability) | Single-motor RWD | ~6.5 s | ~250 mi | 7,500 lb | 2,500 lb |
| AWD | Dual-motor AWD | ~4.1 s | ~340 mi | 11,000 lb | 2,500 lb |
| Cyberbeast | Tri-motor AWD | ~2.6 s | ~300–320 mi | 11,000 lb | 2,500 lb |
Final range and performance can vary with wheel/tire choice, temperature, and driving style.
Specs are moving targets
Performance: Faster Than a Supercar, Heavier Than a Shed
If you enjoy cognitive dissonance, mash the accelerator in a Cyberbeast. You get a 6,800‑pound stainless‑steel triangle doing 0–60 mph in about 2.6 seconds and the quarter‑mile in roughly 11 seconds at nearly 120 mph. That’s supercar acceleration in something with a 6‑foot bed and Goodyear all‑terrain tires.
How the Cybertruck Drives
Three overlapping personalities, depending on trim and how you use it.
Cyberbeast: the absurdist
The tri‑motor Cyberbeast is the viral one: neck‑snapping launches, instant torque, and passing power that feels like fast‑forward. It’s hilariously quick, and borderline wasteful if you’re mostly commuting.
AWD: the sane choice
The dual‑motor AWD is still properly quick (~4.1 seconds to 60 mph) but calmer and more efficient. If you want a fast EV truck that isn’t constantly daring you to misbehave, this is the sweet spot.
RWD: the almost‑mythical base
The rear‑drive version exists largely on spec sheets and in small numbers. Slower and simpler, it’s aimed at price‑sensitive buyers and fleets, but availability has been limited and ever‑changing.
Steer‑by‑wire and rear‑axle steering shrink the truck around you at low speeds. U‑turns that would shame a crew‑cab F‑150 become trivial; the turning circle is around 40 feet. On a twisty road, there’s quick response and decent grip, but physics always has the last vote. You feel the mass in longer braking distances and a certain bobbing motion over big undulations.
Consider your use case
Range, Battery & Charging: What You Actually Get
All launch 2024 Cybertrucks share an ~123 kWh structural battery pack running on an 816‑volt architecture. Official range estimates hover around 340 miles for the AWD and roughly 300 miles for the Cyberbeast, with the RWD variant projected at about 250 miles. In independent highway testing, the tri‑motor has managed closer to 250 miles at 75 mph, respectable, but well short of Tesla’s earliest 500‑mile promises.
Real‑world range
- Daily commuting: Expect 250–300 miles in mixed use with the AWD on 20‑inch tires, less if you’re heavy‑footed.
- Highway at 75 mph: Think more like 220–260 miles before you’re nervously scanning for a Supercharger.
- Cold weather or big all‑terrains: It’s an EV truck, not a miracle; subtract another 10–25% in bad conditions.
Charging experience
- DC fast charging: Up to ~250 kW on current Superchargers; Tesla claims 120–135 miles added in about 15 minutes under ideal conditions.
- AC charging: Onboard 11.5 kW charger, meaning roughly 30–35 miles of range per hour on a 48‑amp Level 2 home setup.
- Vehicle‑to‑load: Up to 9.6 kW from bed and cabin outlets can power tools, camping setups, or serve as short‑term home backup.
About that canceled range extender
Towing, Hauling & Real Truck Utility
On paper, the 2024 Cybertruck can tow with the best of the electric bunch. Both AWD and Cyberbeast versions are rated to haul 11,000 pounds; the single‑motor RWD is pegged at 7,500. Payload is up to 2,500 pounds in a 6‑by‑4‑foot composite bed that doesn’t need a liner and hides lockable under‑floor storage plus a power‑retractable tonneau cover.
Where the Cybertruck Shines, and Stumbles, as a Truck
Specs are one thing. Using it like a truck is another.
Bed & storage
The composite bed is tough and quiet, with around 67 cubic feet of lockable covered space when the tonneau is closed. There’s also a modest frunk and under‑bed bin, handy for dirty gear or charging cables.
Towing reality
Tow near the 11,000‑lb limit and your effective range can drop by half or more. A 300‑mile estimate quickly becomes 130–160 miles between fast‑charge stops, and you’ll need stations with trailer‑friendly access.
On‑site power
Integrated 120V and 240V outlets in the bed and cabin can replace a portable generator on job sites or camping trips. For contractors and overlanders, this is one of the Cybertruck’s genuinely brilliant tricks.
Mind the angles, and the glass
Interior, Tech & Ergonomics: Futuristic or Fatiguing?
Inside, the Cybertruck is minimalist even by Tesla standards: a slab of dash, a big 18.5‑inch central touchscreen, and a steering yoke that feels beamed in from a concept car. Materials skew toward hard‑wearing synthetics and angular surfaces that echo the exterior. There’s plenty of room, five adults fit comfortably, but this is no Ram 1500 in terms of warmth or tactility.
What works
- Space: Generous head‑ and legroom front and rear, with a flat floor and decent storage cubbies.
- Screen & software: Tesla’s UI is slick and fast, with excellent mapping, route‑aware charging suggestions, and over‑the‑air updates.
- Cabin noise: The stainless body and laminated glass keep wind noise in check at highway speeds, though tire roar from the all‑terrains is always present.
What doesn’t
- All‑screen everything: Climate, mirrors, wipers, drive modes, almost every function lives in sub‑menus, which can be distracting on rough roads.
- Yoke steering: Love it or loathe it; some drivers never get fully comfortable, especially when parking or backing up trailers.
- Fit and finish: Early 2024 builds showed inconsistent panel gaps and trim alignment. Buying used? Inspect the cabin carefully and listen for rattles.
Tech highlights
Ride, Handling & Noise: Living With the Stainless Wedge
The adaptive air suspension is the Cybertruck’s unsung hero. It can hunker down for highway aerodynamics or rise to nearly 17 inches of ground clearance for off‑road work. Unladen, the ride is firm but not punishing; with a load in the bed it settles down nicely. The steer‑by‑wire system is quick and natural once you acclimate, especially paired with rear‑axle steering in tight parking lots.
- Wind noise is better controlled than you’d expect from something shaped like a doorstop, but the bluff front still pushes a lot of air at 70+ mph.
- The chunky all‑terrain tires sing on concrete surfaces; long road trips are more aurally tiring than in a Rivian R1T or Ford F‑150 Lightning on street rubber.
- The sheer width, around 86.6 inches with mirrors folded, makes narrow urban streets and parking garages an exercise in spatial anxiety.
Test it on your commute
Pricing, Ownership Costs & Value
Cybertruck pricing has been a moving target since launch, with Foundation Series markups, subsequent price cuts, and a new lower‑priced AWD model appearing as Tesla responds to demand. Broadly speaking, 2024‑build trucks have landed well above the long‑promised $40,000 entry price, with real‑world stickers more in line with premium half‑ton pickups and high‑end EVs.
2024 Cybertruck Pricing Snapshot (Launch Era)
Approximate MSRPs at or near 2024 launch; actual transaction prices vary widely with options and later price cuts.
| Trim | Approx. Launch MSRP | Positioning |
|---|---|---|
| RWD | Around high-$60,000s (when shown) | Price leader, simpler spec, limited availability |
| AWD | High-$70,000s+ | Core model for most buyers, balances speed and range |
| Cyberbeast | Around $100,000+ | Halo performance model with tri‑motor power |
Always confirm with the specific truck’s Monroney label or listing, Tesla has adjusted Cybertruck prices multiple times.
Operating costs
- Energy: Expect efficiency in the ballpark of 1.7–2.1 mi/kWh in mixed driving. That’s similar to other big EV trucks; electricity still undercuts gas on a per‑mile basis in most regions.
- Tires: The weight and torque are brutal on rubber. Budget for frequent, pricey tire replacements if you drive hard or tow often.
- Insurance: High sticker price, complex bodywork, and eye‑watering glass replacement costs push premiums up compared with a typical half‑ton.
Depreciation & resale
- Early Foundation trucks commanded markups, but as production ramps and novelty fades, resale values are finding a more rational level.
- Because the Cybertruck is so polarizing, used prices may swing more with public sentiment and Tesla news than other trucks.
- A curated used marketplace like Recharged can help you compare Cybertruck pricing against more conventional EVs and spot fair‑market values with battery health data baked in.
Don’t ignore used options
Who the 2024 Cybertruck Actually Makes Sense For
Cybertruck: Right Truck, Wrong Truck, or Art Project?
Match the 2024 Cybertruck to your actual life, not your social feed.
Great fit for
- Drivers who want an EV that makes a statement and don’t mind living with quirks.
- Homeowners with space to charge and park a very large, very wide vehicle.
- Contractors or creatives who can genuinely use onboard power and bed storage.
Maybe, with caveats
- Families replacing a full‑size SUV or pickup and comfortable with Tesla’s sparse interior.
- Road‑trip fans who are willing to plan around the Supercharger network and accept frequent stops when towing.
- Buyers who might otherwise consider a Rivian R1T or F‑150 Lightning and value Tesla’s software and charging edge.
Probably the wrong choice
- Urban apartment dwellers fighting for street parking and relying solely on public charging.
- Truck traditionalists who prioritize body‑on‑frame toughness, dealer service networks, and analog controls.
- Shoppers who simply need an affordable work truck; you’re paying a premium for design theater.
Buying a Used Cybertruck: What to Watch For
Because the Cybertruck is new and the earliest builds are effectively rolling beta tests, buying used requires more scrutiny than a typical three‑year‑old half‑ton. The upside: someone else already took the first big depreciation hit and dealt with the recalls.
Used Cybertruck Inspection Checklist
1. Battery health & fast‑charge history
Ask for a battery health report and look at how often the truck has been fast‑charged from low states of charge. Heavy DC‑fast‑charge use isn’t a deal‑breaker, but you want to see a consistent pattern of normal use, not constant 0–100% cycles.
2. Panel alignment & glass
Early stainless body panels and glass were not masterpieces of consistency. Inspect door alignment, bed and tonneau fit, and look for wind noise, water leaks, or stress cracks.
3. Suspension & tire wear
The adaptive air suspension and heavy curb weight mean you should listen for clunks, check for uneven tire wear, and confirm any past suspension repairs were done at a qualified shop.
4. Software & driver‑assist features
Verify which Autopilot or Full Self‑Driving package is actually active on the truck; features can move with the vehicle or be changed by Tesla. Pair your phone, test the cameras, and check for alert messages.
5. Charging hardware & cables
Make sure the NACS charge port, dust cover, and any included adapters or cables are in good condition. A damaged connector or missing mobile connector kit can add unexpected cost.
6. Title, recalls & repair history
As with any used EV, run a title check, look for accident history, and confirm open recalls have been addressed. A platform like <strong>Recharged</strong> bundles this paperwork alongside a battery‑health–focused Recharged Score to simplify the process.
Leverage battery‑first marketplaces
2024 Tesla Cybertruck FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2024 Cybertruck
Final Verdict: Icon, Experiment, or Both?
The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck is a rolling paradox. It accelerates like a supercar yet rides like a serious work truck, hauls lumber yet looks like it escaped from a sci‑fi prop department, and pairs staggering engineering with uneven build execution. It is not the rational choice in electric pickups, that honor, for now, falls to more conventional contenders, but it is the one that will turn your driveway into a roadside attraction.
If you’re shopping with your heart and your social feed, the Cybertruck is irresistible. If you’re shopping with a spreadsheet, it’s a tougher sell once you factor in price, insurance, tire costs, and range under load. The smartest play for many shoppers will be to let early adopters take the hits, then hunt for a well‑vetted used example through an EV‑focused marketplace like Recharged, where you can see battery health, pricing, and alternatives side‑by‑side.
Either way, the Cybertruck is already doing what Tesla intended: dragging the pickup into the EV era with an exoskeleton and a sense of theater. The question isn’t whether it’s perfect, it isn’t, but whether its unique mix of performance, utility, and sci‑fi aesthetics fits your life better than a more conventional electric truck. If the answer is yes, go in clear‑eyed, with a charging plan, and preferably a battery‑health report in hand.
