My Take on the New 2WD Cybertruck: A HUGE Disappointing Step Backward

My Take on the New 2WD Cybertruck 

A HUGE Disappointing Step Backward

After much deliberation, I’ve decided to hold off on purchasing a Cybertruck until Tesla releases an updated/refreshed version. This choice might seem surprising, especially since I was among the first to reserve a Cybertruck during the initial pre-order window at the 2019 launch event. So, why didn’t I follow through when I had the chance to be first in line?

Tesla’s approach with the Foundation Series left such a horrible taste in my mouth! The significant cash-grab price hike, paired with a drastic reduction in range—down to 300 miles from the promised 500 miles—was a major anti-climatic letdown. Talk about overpromising and underdelivering!?!!

I believe Tesla is on the verge of revamping the Cybertruck, likely introducing a second-generation/refreshed model with improved range and fixes for the beta issues that have plagued the first generation. Since I’ve already waited this long, I figure I might as well hold out a bit longer for a better version.

Let’s talk about the new “Long Range” 2WD Cybertruck. Frankly, I think it’s a massive disappointment, and Tesla has dropped the ball by stripping it down so much. Cloth seats with no ventilation, no powered tonneau cover, and a slew of missing features? 

This feels like another cash grab, and I’m deeply disappointed. When my local Tesla dealership reached out to gauge my interest in this new model, my response was blunt: “Even if you offered it to me for free—on the condition that I couldn’t sell it and had to drive it weekly—I’d still pass.” That’s how underwhelming I find this stripped-down CyberTruck. In my view, Tesla will struggle to sell many of these, and I hesitate to even call it a true CyberTruck.

Key Features Missing 

from Long Range 2WD CyberTruck

Let's take a closer look at what Tesla has removed from the 2WD Long Range model CyberTruck compared to the AWD version:

Drivetrain: The 2WD configuration is a major downgrade from the AWD. A rear-wheel-drive truck feels out of place for a vehicle marketed as a rugged, all-purpose machine. 2WD means you can't drive it safely on snow and the performance in rain is degraded, and forget about taking it off-road. To my way of thinking, all vehicles in 2025 should come standard with AWD, kind of like ABS Brakes are standard today.

Performance: The 2WD takes 6.2 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, compared to the AWD’s 4.1 seconds. For a truck that’s supposed to be a powerhouse, this sluggish acceleration is unacceptable.

Towing Capacity: The 2WD’s towing capacity is reduced to 7,500 pounds, down from the AWD’s 11,000 pounds, limiting its utility for heavy-duty tasks.

Tonneau Cover: The Cybertruck’s iconic powered tonneau cover—known as the sliding “Vault”—stands as a cornerstone of its futuristic design and rugged utility. This robust, seamlessly integrated hard cover is a standard feature on the AWD model, delivering not only a sleek, cohesive aesthetic, but also unmatched security and durability for the truck’s bed. 

However, this hallmark feature is conspicuously absent on the 2WD model, replaced instead with an optional soft tonneau cover priced at $750. While the soft cover offers a modest range increase of up to 12 miles, it pales in comparison to the powered Vault, lacking the strength, protection, and visual impact that define the Cybertruck’s identity.

The omission of the powered tonneau cover in the 2WD variant isn’t just a minor spec difference—it’s a fundamental shift that completely dilutes the CyberTruck’s essence. The AWD’s standard hard cover reinforces the vehicle’s reputation as a bold, all-terrain powerhouse, while the 2WD’s soft alternative feels like a compromise, trading security and style for a marginal efficiency gain. This change not only undermines the 2WD model’s functionality but also strips away a key element that makes the Cybertruck instantly recognizable, leaving it as a less complete expression of Tesla’s groundbreaking vision.

Bed Lighting: The LED lights were removed from the RWD truck bed, which is totally lame.

Interior Quality: The 2WD comes with cloth seats instead of the AWD’s leatherette, and it lacks ventilated seats and rear heated seats, making the cabin feel cheap and uncomfortable. Cloth seats, in 2025!?!? 

Rear Infotainment: The 2WD model skips the rear infotainment screen, reducing its appeal for passengers.

Tire Design: The 2WD is equipped with oversized tires that, in my opinion, look awkward and detract from the vehicle’s aesthetic.

Rear Light Bar: The absence of the rear light bar makes the 2WD look incomplete and far less striking than its AWD counterpart.

HEPA Filter: The 2WD model lacks Tesla’s trademark Bioweapon Defense HEPA filter.

Suspension System: The Long Range RWD is equipped with a non-adjustable coil spring suspension with adaptive dampers, which might deliver a firmer ride and less adaptability for off-road adventures. Its ground clearance tops out at 9.57 inches. In contrast, the AWD boasts an adjustable air suspension, offering up to 16 inches of ground clearance in "Extract" mode, making it far more capable on rugged terrain.

Power Outlets: The RWD lacks the AWD’s bed power outlets (2x 120V and 1x 240V) and cabin outlets (2x 120V), limiting its ability to power tools or devices on the go—a big deal for work or camping scenarios.

A Misstep in the Making

Tesla’s 2WD Cybertruck Pricing Gamble

In summary, the 2WD Long Range Cybertruck feels like a neutered hollow shell of what the Cybertruck was meant to be. Tesla’s decision to cut these features may have lowered the retail price by $10,000, but it has also significantly diminished the vehicle’s appeal. This move feels like a calculated attempt to maximize profit margins by testing the market's willingness to pay for a stripped-down version of the Cybertruck. 

By leaving "zero cash on the table," Tesla is pushing the boundaries of what customers will accept. However, this strategy is likely to backfire. The 2WD model's lack of essential features—like the powered tonneau cover, AWD drivetrain, and premium interior—makes it a tough sell, even for die-hard Tesla fans. I anticipate that sales will be lackluster, forcing Tesla to drop the price by up to $20,000 in the coming months. 

The issue isn’t a lack of demand for the Cybertruck—it’s the glaring disconnect between price and features in this variant, and I see the same misstep looming for the AWD and Tri-Motor Beast. 

Tesla will likely roll out new AWD and Tri-Motor versions with cutting-edge 4680 batteries, keeping those sky-high prices unchanged, testing or monitoring price resistance—the exact same strategy Elon incorporated with the Model S refresh, where over the course of a year, he almost cut the price of the Plaid in half. Spoiler: it won’t work. 

With EV competition ramping up and wallets tightening, buyers won’t stomach paying a fortune for what’s essentially a battery upgrade. I predict this will flop, leaving Tesla no choice but to act fast. Picture Elon Musk hitting the panic button, slashing prices on both models by about $20,000 overnight—like a Cybertruck fire sale. That drastic drop will be the jolt needed to finally kick sales into gear, and ironically force Tesla to deliver on its original promise for the CyberTruck.

Elon’s Pricing Playbook

Maximizing Margins with Cybercab and Beyond

Tesla’s pricing strategy, orchestrated by Elon Musk, operates like a finely tuned supply-and-demand algorithm, with Musk’s intuitive sense of market timing as the critical variable. Take the buzz around Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab, for instance. Many speculate it will disrupt Uber by launching at a fraction of the cost, say $0.50 per mile against Uber’s $2.00. But I predict a different approach. When Cybercab debuts in Austin, its per-mile rate will likely match or exceed Uber’s, capitalizing on early adopter enthusiasm and Tesla’s premium brand. 

Over time—perhaps a decade—Tesla might gradually lower prices, potentially undercutting Uber by 20%, but never to the point of leaving significant profits untapped. This deliberate, high-margin strategy mirrors Tesla’s broader pricing philosophy, ensuring they maximize revenue while testing consumer willingness to pay for innovation. However, this approach misfired with the Cybertruck. 

About 9 months after Tesla began delivering CyberTrucks they boasted about breaking even on the Cybertruck’s entire cost structure, yet their aggressive cash-grab pricing—marked by steep hikes and stripped-down features—has stifled demand, proving that even Musk’s keen market timing can miss the mark when greed overshadows value. Instead, Tesla should have taken the opposite tack: delivering CyberTrucks at the original 2019 announced prices. 

Had Tesla priced the Cybertruck strategically, there would be lines snaking out the door and around the block today, with eager buyers clamoring to claim their futuristic pickup. Elon Musk once boasted of securing nearly 2 million pre-orders, a tidal wave of demand that promised to redefine the electric truck market. Yet, since deliveries began, Tesla has sold fewer than 50,000 CyberTrucks—a damning testament to how their pricing misstep and overzealous hype squandered monumental momentum.

The irony is almost surreal: when Tesla launched Cybertruck deliveries, they mandated that buyers sign an exclusive contract barring resale for a year, ostensibly to curb scalping and protect their vision. Now, a mere eighteen months later, Tesla struggles to move units in any meaningful volume, with unsold inventory piling up and resale values plummeting. This stark reversal—from draconian resale restrictions to a desperate scramble for buyers—lays bare the miscalculation that turned a potential blockbuster into a cautionary tale of hubris in the EV market.

A Theory on the Battery Technology

My hypothesis is that the Long Range 2WD Cybertruck is the first to feature Tesla’s long-awaited new dry battery cathode electrode 4680 cells, which are significantly cheaper to produce than the previous generation used in the Foundation Series. This theory is based on a tweet from Tesla employee Michael Guilfoy, who recently shared:

    "Been waiting to acknowledge this great achievement by Tesla's 4680 Cell Manufacturing team since the end of last year... As Elon announced last night, our Cell Manufacturing team in Texas reached a huge milestone at the end of 2024 with becoming the lowest cost per kWh battery cell producer for Tesla!"

From what I understand, this new battery pack alone reduces the manufacturing cost of the Cybertruck by approximately $12,000. To the best of my knowledge, Tesla has not disclosed the kWh size of this new battery, but I suspect it’s similar to the older models. There’s also significant room in the Cybertruck’s battery pack area for taller batteries, like a 46/110 configuration. 

I believe Tesla will soon launch a refreshed AWD Cybertruck with a range of around 420 miles, retailing for about $10,000 less than the current model. This mid-2025 refresh would address many of the shortcomings of the initial vehicles, which felt like beta testers, while offering better value. 

Tesla Cybertruck 2025

Pioneering Wireless Charging and Refining a Beta Revolution

I believe the updated mid/late-2025 Cybertruck will introduce Tesla’s highly anticipated wireless charging system, a technology refined over years to mirror the seamless efficiency of smartphone wireless chargers. This system will likely be integrated into all Tesla Supercharger stations and offered as a home garage solution. 

The charging process will be fully automated: upon entering a garage or approaching a Supercharger, the Cybertruck will autonomously align itself with pinpoint precision over a charging pad, using advanced sensors to optimize connection with the vehicle’s underbody charging puck. 

Ironically, all Cybertrucks produced to date are reportedly pre-wired for this innovative system, ensuring compatibility and enabling a smooth transition to this game-changing feature, which will enhance convenience and redefine the EV charging experience.

My perspective is that, despite the awe-inspiring innovation of the Foundation Series Cybertruck—which, from personal experience, I’d argue is among the greatest vehicles ever crafted—these early models have effectively served as beta testers for the Cybertruck platform. 

The cutting-edge technologies introduced, such as the dry cathode 4680 cells and pre-wired wireless charging compatibility, are poised to cascade into Tesla’s 2025 Model S and Model X refreshes. These upcoming models are expected to incorporate advanced features like bi-directional charging and all-wheel steering, leveraging the Cybertruck’s pioneering advancements to elevate Tesla’s entire lineup.

Reflecting on advice I received in my early 20s from a friend’s father—“Never buy the first year or two of a new model until the kinks are ironed out”—I find it profoundly relevant to the Cybertruck. This wisdom guided my decision to await the refined 2025 refresh.

Among the Cybertruck’s initial design missteps, the rearview mirror’s woefully inadequate functionality emerges as a glaring flaw, undermining driver safety and situational awareness. A robust solution would be to replace the traditional mirror with a high-resolution rearview camera system, seamlessly integrated into a dynamic video display. Fed by a camera strategically mounted at the Cybertruck’s rear roofline, this system would deliver a crystal-clear, unobstructed view, unaffected by the tonneau cover’s obstruction of the rear window.

Equally perplexing is Tesla’s baffling oversight in equipping the Cybertruck with a front camera complete with a wet washer system, yet neglecting to include a similar washer for the rear camera. The Cybertruck’s rugged design naturally kicks up significant dirt and debris, rendering the rear camera virtually useless on dusty or muddy roads. Drivers are often forced to rely on the central touchscreen for a rearview feed—already a compromise given the tonneau cover’s defeat of the traditional mirror—only to find the display marred by a grime-covered lens, obscuring critical visibility. This inexplicable omission transforms a cutting-edge feature into a frustrating liability, highlighting a critical lapse in Tesla’s attention to real-world usability.

Another telltale sign of the Cybertruck’s early-adopter status is the delayed availability of the signature Lightbar, standard on the Foundation Series “Beast” tri-motor variant. As of late April 2025, Tesla is only now catching up on delivering these Lightbars to original owners, and they remain unavailable for separate purchase for 2025 AWD or 2WD Cybertruck buyers. This lag underscores the platform’s beta nature. Compounding the issue, Tesla plans to offer the Lightbar for all Cybertruck owners starting in June 2025 at a steep $2,500, including installation—a price that feels like an opportunistic cash grab and further highlights the growing pains of this revolutionary yet still-maturing vehicle.

Final Thoughts

As a longtime Tesla enthusiast—and self-proclaimed president of the Tesla fan club—I couldn’t be more disappointed with this model! For now, I’ll keep waiting for a Cybertruck that lives up to the original hype. It’s a complete bummer, but I remain confident that Tesla’s best days are still ahead. However, the way they’ve handled the Cybertruck launch has been a blunder, and I hope they learn from it.