Tesla’s Cybertruck RWD Debut in the U.S. Market: Does the $70,000 Price Justify the Feature Cutbacks?

Tesla has officially released the long-awaited Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) trim of its Cybertruck, but it comes with a significantly higher price tag than originally promised and a substantial reduction in features. The new RWD Cybertruck is priced at $69,990, reflecting a significant increase from its initial $60,990 price tag.

The RWD Cybertruck, now available for order, is the base model in the Cybertruck lineup. However, Tesla has removed several “cool features” that are found in the higher trims. Key omissions include the powered tonneau, adaptive suspension, rear light bar, rear display, and cargo bed outlets.

This may suggest that Tesla aimed to tailor the electric truck more toward business use. While we agree that many of these features might not be necessary for workers, at this price point, it doesn’t appear to be the best option. For comparison, the commercial version of the Chevy Silverado EV starts at $55,000 and offers a longer range. Let’s take a look at the performance the Cybertruck RWD has to offer.

The RWD Cybertruck is said to offer a range of 350 miles on a full charge (with the optional soft tonneau extending it to 362 miles) and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. This makes it the trim with the longest range in the Cybertruck lineup, although it may not stand out when compared to other competitors.

The RWD Cybertruck’s towing capacity of 7,500 lbs isn’t particularly impressive, as there are many other options on the market with higher towing capabilities. It only exceeds the base Ford F-150 Lightning, which can tow 5,000 lbs, though it’s worth mentioning that the F-150 Lightning hasn’t seen significant updates since its introduction.

The release of the RWD Cybertruck at a higher price point and with fewer features than expected is likely to disappoint many potential buyers who were eagerly anticipating a more affordable entry into the Cybertruck lineup. The primary benefit of opting for the Long Range RWD trim is its improved range over other Cybertruck trims, but it doesn’t offer any significant advantage when compared to its closest competitors from other brands.

This development may force customers to reconsider their Cybertruck purchase, potentially opting for the more expensive All-Wheel Drive or Cyberbeast models to retain the features they desire. It also brings into question Tesla’s pricing strategy and its ability to deliver on initial promises.

As Tesla begins delivering the RWD Cybertruck, real-world reviews and customer feedback will provide further insight into the vehicle’s performance and value proposition. For now, it seems unlikely that the new base trim will lead to an increase in Cybertruck sales across the U.S.

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