The Tesla Cybertruck has finally arrived, and witnessing it in person is an experience unlike any other. Recently, I had the chance to get up close and personal with not one, but two of these groundbreaking electric pickups. Parked near my workplace, these Cyber Trucks, one a rental by YouTuber Kyle Conner and the other owned by an early adopter, Ben Levin, drew a crowd of curious onlookers.
Joining the impromptu gathering, my initial curiosity quickly turned into a desire to explore the interior. Despite the bustling atmosphere, I managed to hop inside a Cybertruck and start figuring things out. There was no formal tour, but that was part of the appeal. Discovering the nuances of a completely new vehicle design is always exciting, and the Cybertruck is in a league of its own. The most immediate surprise? The absence of door handles – a clear indication that this is no ordinary truck.
To gain entry, a gentle tap on a subtle light on the door pillar was all it took. The door smoothly popped open, revealing the unconventional cabin. Shortly after settling in, I was asked to maneuver the truck into a parking spot. Accepting the impromptu challenge, I found myself briefly behind the wheel – a mini test drive that left me eager for a more extensive experience, which I plan to share soon.
Alt text: Cybertruck’s innovative gear selector displayed on the central touchscreen, showcasing its minimalist interior design.
Navigating the Gear Selector and Minimalist Controls
My first task was locating the gear selector. In a vehicle as unconventional as the Cybertruck, traditional controls are simply absent. No buttons, no levers, no gear shifter stalk – nothing. The minimalist approach extends to the dashboard, devoid of a driver display screen or traditional stalks on the steering column. Even essential functions like turn signals, windshield wipers, and bright lights are controlled by dials integrated directly into the steering wheel.
This clean, almost spartan design aesthetic forces a re-evaluation of typical automotive interfaces. Where is the gear selector then? The answer lies within the expansive multimedia screen, the central command hub of the Cybertruck. Upon pressing the brake pedal, the system awakens, displaying an annotated image of the truck on the screen. Positioned vertically on the left side is a truck icon – the gear shifter. Engaging drive or reverse is as intuitive as dragging the truck icon up or down on the touchscreen. Once grasped, the system is remarkably simple and efficient.
However, the Cybertruck’s design introduces new considerations. Visibility, for example, is significantly impacted by the unique structure. Mirrors and the rearview camera are not just helpful; they are essential. The tinted glass roof, reminiscent of other Tesla models, extends to the narrow rear window, creating potential glare and limiting visibility. Furthermore, the tonneau cover, while adding security and style, further restricts the already limited rearward view when closed, essentially showing only the truck bed’s interior.
Alt text: Close-up of the Cybertruck’s yoke steering wheel and the new Tesla logo, emphasizing the vehicle’s cutting-edge, steer-by-wire technology.
The Novelty of Steer-By-Wire and Rear-Wheel Steering
Even the steering wheel itself is a departure from the norm. It’s a yoke, flattened at the top and bottom, instantly evoking a futuristic, almost aircraft-like feel. More than just aesthetics, the Cybertruck incorporates steer-by-wire technology, an electronic, computer-controlled steering system. Having previously experienced steer-by-wire in a Lexus prototype, I can attest to its enhanced precision compared to conventional power steering. It mirrors the responsiveness of video game steering, requiring only minimal input for even significant turns.
Complementing the steer-by-wire system is the Cybertruck’s rear-wheel steering, offering up to 7 degrees of articulation. While this might seem subtle, it dramatically enhances maneuverability, especially for a vehicle of this size and angular design. This feature allows the Cybertruck to navigate parking spaces and corners with surprising agility, belying its imposing dimensions.
With the gear engaged, mirrors adjusted, and the rearview display providing crucial visual information, I cautiously began backing up. Despite being a confident driver, reversing a new vehicle, particularly one with such unconventional features, in front of an audience, definitely amplified the pressure to perform flawlessly.
The task involved positioning the Cybertruck between a Ford F-150 Lightning and a Rivian R1T, part of a comparison video being filmed by Kyle Conner for his Out of Spec Reviews YouTube channel. The stakes felt high, but the Cybertruck rose to the occasion.
The combination of steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering proved to be remarkably effective. While steer-by-wire is a notable advancement, the rear-wheel steering truly shines, proving indispensable for a truck of this scale and shape. It mitigates the inherent challenges of maneuvering a large vehicle, making it surprisingly manageable.
Within moments, the Cybertruck was neatly nestled between the two other trucks. Its futuristic silhouette and striking front light bar stood in stark contrast to the more traditional designs flanking it. The ease with which it slotted into the space was genuinely unexpected.
Alt text: Open interior view of the Tesla Cybertruck highlighting the floating center console and expansive cabin space, emphasizing its post-apocalyptic, man-cave aesthetic.
A Post-Apocalyptic “Man-Cave” on Wheels: Interior and Practicality
Stepping back to further absorb the Cybertruck experience, the vehicle’s design ethos becomes even more apparent. It embodies its mission statement: a robust, post-apocalyptic refuge, capable of withstanding both environmental hazards and imagined threats, while equally suited for everyday tasks like a trip to the local store.
The model I explored featured all-weather floor mats, durable leatherette seating, and a functional center console equipped with cup holders – a testament to practicality even in a “doomsday” vehicle. The footwells are generously sized, accommodating even large work boots, and the expansive glass roof amplifies the sense of spaciousness within the cabin. The rear seats are roomy, appearing ideal for stowing gear and equipment.
This leads to the question of storage. Beyond the passenger cabin, the truck bed, secured by a retractable locking cover, offers substantial cargo space, though items might shift during transit.
Then there’s the frunk – the front trunk. In the Cybertruck, the frunk is surprisingly voluminous. As filming wrapped up and the drivers prepared to leave, they opened the frunk to retrieve their luggage – two standard roll-aboard suitcases, the kind designed to fit in airplane overhead compartments. This unexpected frunk capacity is genuinely impressive, adding another layer of practicality to the Cybertruck’s unconventional design.
Alt text: Detail shot of the Cybertruck’s oversized single windshield wiper, emphasizing its unusual size and placement as a distinctive exterior feature.
Surprising Exterior Details: Stainless Steel and Sharp Edges
Certain exterior details also captured my attention. The front and rear light bars are striking, as are the pronounced wheel cladding and the windshield wiper. Yes, wiper – singular. This massive, single wiper, resembling an oversized baseball bat in both size and shape, is a detail often missed in photos but remarkably prominent in person.
The electric tonneau cover, operated by push-button, retracts smoothly into the rear of the truck bed, adding both convenience and a sleek, finished look.
However, perhaps the most defining exterior element is the sheer, unpainted stainless steel skin of the Cybertruck. At .071” thick, it feels considerably more substantial than typical appliance-grade stainless steel. It conveys an impression of immense solidity and durability.
Yet, this robust exterior also presents a unique characteristic: sharpness. As Kyle and his team discovered during a “pinch test” with various pickup trucks, the Cybertruck’s stainless steel panels have sharp, straight edges, unlike the rounded, painted edges common in most vehicles. The doors and frunk lid also lack rubber gaskets, which could further contribute to potential pinching hazards.
Demonstrating this point, Kyle used a carrot and hotdogs to simulate the impact of the closing panels on a finger. The results were stark. The frunk and doors effortlessly severed the carrot and crushed the hotdogs. This serves as a clear warning, especially for families with children, to exercise caution around the doors and moving parts of the Cybertruck.
Alt text: The Tesla Cybertruck parked between a Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning, illustrating its distinctive and unconventional design in the electric pickup truck market.
Hype Justified? A Mostly Positive First Impression
After spending an afternoon immersed in the Cybertruck experience, I understand the buzz. While concerns exist regarding its off-road capabilities, towing prowess, and reports of getting stuck, my initial impression is overwhelmingly positive. Personally, I might hesitate to venture too far off-road in a vehicle of this size and weight, even with rear-wheel steering. Its width and length might limit agility in challenging terrains compared to more specialized off-road vehicles.
Adding to this point, despite its rugged stainless steel exterior, the Cybertruck notably lacks skid plates to protect the undercarriage from rocks and debris. Even though it lacks traditional analog components like an oil pan or driveshaft, vulnerable elements likely still exist underneath. Skid plates would seem a prudent addition for any serious off-road use. From a repair perspective, the exposed undercarriage might also present unique challenges in off-road scenarios.
However, for those seeking a vehicle that embodies a video-game-come-to-life aesthetic and driving experience, the Cybertruck delivers. It’s a bold statement, a futuristic vision realized in steel and glass. For drivers who resonate with this paradigm-shifting approach to automotive design, the Cybertruck offers a truly unique and compelling ownership proposition. It’s a vehicle that redefines expectations and sparks conversations, and in that regard, it undoubtedly lives up to much of the hype.
