This report provides a detailed examination of the new 2024 Tesla Cybertruck, highlighting its features, specifications, pricing, and performance. Additionally, it covers a comparative analysis of other fuel-efficient trucks on the market as of 2024.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the Cybertruck at a Los Angeles event in November 2019. This date and location were chosen deliberately to coincide with the movie Blade Runner, as Musk drew inspiration from the sci-fi classic. The design of the Cybertruck is futuristic and unique, combining elements from the DMC DeLorean from Back to the Future and an extraterrestrial armored personnel carrier.
Since its unveiling in 2019, the Cybertruck has faced repeated delays in its market arrival. Initially scheduled for release almost every year since its announcement, production has been repeatedly pushed back. This could have been a marketing strategy to build excitement or a necessity to finalize intricate details. Regardless, the buzz around the Cybertruck has been immense. Finally, in 2024, deliveries of the Cybertruck commenced, and the excitement appears justified.
Pros: The Cybertruck is notably quick and agile, with a design that turns heads wherever it goes. Cons: The interior design has been criticized for being underwhelming, featuring a limited rear window view and coming with a high price tag.
Expert opinions on the Cybertruck are mixed. Critics argue that the Cybertruck fails to meet several essential functions expected of a traditional truck, such as effective off-road capabilities. TFL's recent towing test, however, suggests it can handle towing tasks reasonably well. Despite Tesla’s decade-long experience in the automotive industry, some experts believe the company still prioritizes tech innovation over the practical adaptability of their vehicles. The Cybertruck’s elimination of many conventional interfaces, such as turn signal stalks, has raised concerns over user experience.
Since 2024 is the debut of the Tesla Cybertruck, everything is new for this model year. Highlights include an 834-horsepower tri-motor option, an estimated 340 miles of range, adjustable air suspension, a massive 18.5-inch touchscreen, and standard Autopilot.
The Cybertruck's exterior dimensions are noteworthy. Its length measures 233.7 inches, width is 80.0 inches, and height ranges from 68.5 to 76.6 inches. The wheelbase is 143.1 inches, with both front and rear track width at 69.8 inches. The curb weight of the Cybertruck stands at 6,901 pounds.
The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck comes in two power options: dual-motor and tri-motor. The dual-motor setup generates 600 horsepower, while the tri-motor version produces 834 horsepower. Torque values are 525 lb-ft for the dual-motor and 740 lb-ft for the tri-motor. Both configurations use a 123.0 kWh net battery and all-wheel drive with direct-drive transmission. The 0-60 mph times are 3.9 seconds for the dual-motor and 2.7 seconds for the tri-motor.
The Cybertruck can tow up to 11,000 pounds and haul a payload of up to 7,500 pounds, regardless of whether it is equipped with the dual-motor or tri-motor setup. However, towing and hauling such weight significantly reduce its range.
The Cybertruck features an adjustable air suspension that allows for ground clearance between 7.9 to 17 inches. It has an approach angle of 35 degrees and a departure angle of 28 degrees. Although capable off-road, the heavy weight and placement of the battery pack pose concerns about potential damage on rough terrains.
The Cybertruck offers a minimalist interior with a massive 18.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that controls various functions. It includes a 9.4-inch rear touchscreen, a 15-speaker sound system, configurable ambient lighting, and a panoramic glass roof. The interior is spacious, with front legroom of 41.09 inches and rear legroom of 40.90 inches. However, it lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Since this is the first year for the Tesla Cybertruck, there's no official safety and reliability data available. It comes with standard driver-assistance features like collision warning, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Thus far, there has been one recall for incorrect font size on warning lights, but no NHTSA investigations or crash tests have been conducted.
The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck’s range is between 301 miles for the tri-motor configuration and 340 miles for the dual-motor configuration. The charging time for Level 3 DC 440V (10-80%) is approximately 45 minutes using Tesla’s 250-kW Supercharger system. Detailed data on Level 1 and Level 2 charging times are not available.
The Cybertruck's warranty includes a 4-year/50,000-mile full warranty, 8-year/150,000-mile powertrain warranty, 4-year/50,000-mile maintenance warranty, and 12-year/unlimited-mile corrosion warranty. The federal emissions defect warranty lasts for 3 years or 36,000 miles, with 10 years/unlimited miles for seat belts and airbags.
The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck brings remarkable performance metrics when compared to the Ford F-150 Lightning. The Cybertruck's power options include a dual-motor setup generating 600 horsepower and a tri-motor setup producing 834 horsepower. In contrast, the Ford F-150 Lightning offers two battery packs: the standard producing 452 horsepower and the extended range generating 580 horsepower. The Cybertruck boasts a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds, whereas the F-150 Lightning can tow between 7,700 to 10,000 pounds, depending on the battery pack. The Ford F-150 Lightning comes more affordably priced with a starting price of $57,090, rising to $95,090 for higher trims. However, to achieve performance levels comparable to the Cybertruck, the cost can be as steep. Fuel efficiency for the Lightning ranges between 68-70 MPGe, while the Cybertruck has an estimated efficiency of approximately 92 MPGe as per real-world testing by Edmunds.
The Rivian R1T, an innovative entry in the EV truck market, offers competitive features against the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck. The R1T's powertrain options include dual- and quad-motor configurations, producing between 600 to 835 horsepower. In comparison, the Cybertruck features dual- and tri-motor setups, with horsepower ranging from 600 to 834. In terms of torque, the R1T's quad-motor variant significantly outperforms the Cybertruck with 908 lb-ft compared to the Cybertruck's 740 lb-ft. Both trucks offer similar towing capacities of 11,000 pounds. Prices for the R1T start at $71,700 for the base model and can exceed $100,000 with additional features and premium options. Fuel efficiency for the R1T ranges between 64 to 78 MPGe, while the Cybertruck is estimated at 92 MPGe based on an independent test by Edmunds. Despite the Cybertruck's higher efficiency and unique design, the R1T excels in performance and offers a broader range of configurations.
The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck positions itself in the high-end segment of the EV truck market with a starting price of over $80,000, extending to above $100,000 for the top variant. The Ford F-150 Lightning is more budget-friendly, starting at $57,090, with high-end trims venturing into the same price range as the Cybertruck. Rivian's R1T starts at $71,700 and exceeds $100,000 based on selected options and trims. Despite its initial price advantage, achieving comparable performance levels with the F-150 Lightning and R1T as the Cybertruck requires significant investment, pushing the final price into a similar range as the Cybertruck.
In 2024, fuel efficiency has become an essential aspect of truck purchasing decisions. The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck, despite its significant weight, delivers impressive fuel economy estimated around 92 MPGe in real-world conditions. The Ford F-150 Lightning offers a competitive range of 68 to 70 MPGe, depending on the battery pack. The Rivian R1T falls within a similar range, offering 64 to 78 MPGe based on configuration. Traditional trucks like the Ford F-150 Hybrid provide significantly lower fuel economy at 24 MPG. Overall, the Cybertruck is at the forefront of fuel efficiency in the electric truck segment, making it a standout option for buyers prioritizing reduced fuel consumption.
The Ford F-150 Hybrid is one of the most popular pickup trucks in the United States and achieves 24 MPG. It features a 3.5-liter PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 engine that produces 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. The truck is rated for a 12,700-pound tow rating and 2,120-pound payload capacity. It saves on fuel consumption especially in city driving, making it an economically beneficial choice.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 offers a 3.0L turbo diesel inline six engine delivering 26 MPG combined, 23 MPG in the city, and 29 MPG on the highway. It sports 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 13,300 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,930 pounds. This engine variant, although efficient, is less commonly available.
The Ford Maverick Hybrid stands out with an impressive 37 MPG combined, 40 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. Its hybrid drivetrain includes a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, producing a combined output of 191 horsepower. It can tow up to 2,000 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,500 pounds, making it an affordable and highly fuel-efficient option.
The GMC Hummer EV, a fully electric truck, achieves a fuel economy of 47 MPGe combined with even better performance in city conditions. It features a triple electric motor generating approximately 1,000 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque. This heavy truck can tow up to 12,000 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,300 pounds, despite its high weight primarily due to the battery packs.
The Chevy Silverado EV offers a fuel efficiency of 63 MPGe combined. It features a dual electric motor producing between 510 and 754 horsepower, with a 0-60 MPH time of 5.4 seconds. The truck can tow up to 10,000 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,440 pounds. With a range of 450 miles from its 200-kWh battery, it is a competitive option in the EV truck segment.
The Ford F-150 Lightning offers between 68-70 MPGe combined, depending on the battery pack. The extended range version achieves 78 MPGe in the city and 63 MPGe on the highway. It features dual electric motors generating up to 580 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 10,000 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,800 pounds. With six trims available, it provides a range of options for different price points.
The Rivian R1T offers between 64-78 MPGe combined, depending on the configuration and battery size, with ranges between 270 miles to 410 miles. It features dual or quad electric motors producing up to 835 horsepower and can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in 3.4 seconds. The truck can tow up to 11,000 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,760 pounds, positioning it as a premium yet efficient EV truck.
The Ram 1500 REV is Dodge’s first EV truck, set to debut in the 2025 model year, with an estimated 74 MPGe. It offers two battery packs with ranges of 350 miles and 500 miles, respectively. The 350-mile variant generates 654 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque. The truck can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in 4.4 seconds and tow up to 14,000 pounds with a payload capacity of 2,700 pounds.
The Tesla Cybertruck, with an estimated 92 MPGe, offers a range between 250 to 340 miles based on various trims. With horsepower ranging from 600 to 845 and torque from 7,435 to 10,296 pound-feet, it can tow up to 11,000 pounds. The Cybertruck also demonstrates impressive acceleration, with the highest trim achieving 0-60 MPH in 2.6 seconds.
The Tesla Cybertruck is an all-electric pickup truck manufactured by Tesla. Unveiled in 2019, it features a futuristic design inspired by sci-fi elements and provides options ranging from dual-motor to tri-motor configurations. It is significant for its high towing capacity, advanced technology, and unique aesthetic.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric variant of Ford's iconic F-150 pickup truck. It offers different battery pack options, providing a range of power and performance metrics. Known for its versatility and acceptable fuel efficiency, it caters to both casual and heavy-duty needs.
The Rivian R1T is an electric pickup truck by Rivian. It is celebrated for its high performance, multiple powertrain options, and extensive range. It features cutting-edge technology and stylish design, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck presents a groundbreaking design and impressive performance metrics, though it faces stiff competition from other fuel-efficient trucks in the market. Buyers should weigh the unique features, pros, and cons of each model to make an informed purchasing decision.