Cybertruck - Impressions after demo drive

[dleepnw]

I had a chance to demo drive the CT. Foundation series, DM, AT tires. Wasn't a very long demo so this isn't a detailed review but rather my impressions. For context I have a 2023 Gen1 R1T QM with 20" AT, OC, Meridian which I've had for almost 2 years.

Conclusion: CT seems like a good vehicle overall. There's aspects of the truck I prefer to the R1T. At the moment, I wouldn't trade my R1T for the CT but I can see if I had certain use cases or preferences it would sway me.

Exterior

• The stainless skin is cool. It's very strong. It definitely looks like it'll hold up well over time compared to just about any other vehicle exterior.
• The bed is a good size. The in-bed trunk is nice. Functional access to the bed is greatly reduced because of the sloped sides
• The tonneau works well and feels very strong. Its loud but maybe a bit quieter than the R1T.
• The panel gaps looked good. No worse or better than my R1T.
• No door handles takes getting used to but its not bad, however opening the door using the edge of the doorframe is not elegant.
• Tailgate is surprisingly light. much easier to close than the R1T.
• Its a big vehicle but doesn't feel that much bigger than my R1T.
• Design is subjective. I'm not a huge fan but I can see why some people like it and some hate it.
• I don't like the shine of the steel and it does collect fingerprints real easy, I can see why people wrap it
• It is a bit concerning in an accident what that strong exterior would do to other vehicles/people.
• The frunk is small. Kinda a bit silly imo.

Interior

• Fit and finish were decent, not as good as Rivian.
• Front seats are comfortable.
• Cabin is definitely bigger than the R1T
• Screens appear to have better clarity than in the R1T. Big screen for rear passengers is nice.
• Rear seating area is much roomier than the R1T. Not quite as large as a full size truck but close.
• No compressor noise from the cabin.
• Wireless charger works ?
• Quality of materials is definitely inferior to the R1T.
• I hate that there is no drivers screen. Do not like having just the main screen.
• Review mirror is a joke. Its small, flimsy and feels like a Dollar Tree product.
• I don't like having no stalks.
• Tonneau operation was loud from the cabin

Driving

• CT drives really well.
• The 4 wheel steering is insane. You get surprised how nimble the truck is. Steer by wire obviously also contributes to this. It does feel a bit "artificial" when holding the steering wheel and not feeling the road.
• The suspension is smoother than the R1T. It soaks up bumps, dips and uneven roads better than the R1T.
• Its quieter than the R1T. Less road noise, less wind noise, less suspension noise, less/no motor noise.
• Acceleration seemed more responsive than R1T. Tried in both Sport and Comfort and it responds faster. Compared to the Rivian which seems like it has a slight delay.
• Brakes feel better in the R1T.
• Squircle is strange. Not so much the shape but the size. Seems too small, maybe I'd get used to it. Squircle takes some getting used to but I would swap that for a round wheel if its an option.
• Side view mirrors are too small.
• Using the center screen for a rearview mirror is lame. They should have installed a mirror that can double as a screen.
• Visibility out the back is very compromised when tonneau is open. Certain angles outside are obscured as well. Overall, lots of blindspots.
• I don't like having to swipe to put the vehicle in D/P/R.
• Forgot to test the horn.

Tech

• FSD is very cool.
• 4 wheel steering is awesome.
• Audio system is very good. TBH, its not any better than my Meridian. I blasted it in the CT and the bass is stronger but overall not much different.
• CT cameras are way better than Gen1, seems about the same as Gen2.
• Driver assist features work better than Rivian. The awareness of other vehicles, pedestrians and the surroundings is very impressive. Gen1 awareness seems childish compared to the CT.
• Infotainment is way snappier than the R1T.
• Tesla offers more customizability than Rivian. That being, I prefer the Rivian UI. The layout very busy and distracting, the color scheme being so monotone doesnt help. I'm sure I'd get used it over time like with any UI but the fact that everything needs to fit onto one screen is not great. Too many things on the screen at once makes it messy.

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[s4wrxttcs]

The CT doesn't have proper downfacing 360 degree camera right?

It's my favorite thing in the R1T despite the crappy cameras. Sorta jealous of the Gen2 owners.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Fair write-up.
Tesla has been making motors for years now, so the response time/nvh being better than a Rivian isn't surprising. Tesla definitely has their strengths.

The one thing I've heard so many conflicting reports on is the suspension between the two, half saying Rivian is better hands down, or CT is better. but by a margin. I think it lends credibility to the suspension "reset" thread. There are times when I drive my T and it's like a cloud gliding over anything and everything, then there are others where it gives you that "Jesus that was harsh" vibe. I still haven't figured out what causes the "relaxing" of the dampers yet. once it was after a 20 minute dcfc session. super random, but it was very apparent when leaving and driving around, felt like a mechanic just swapped everything out and gave me brand new components.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

The CT doesn't have proper downfacing 360 degree camera right?

It's my favorite thing in the R1T despite the crappy cameras. Sorta jealous of the Gen2 owners.

Nope, and I think it's because it's patented by Nissan?!? I think others pay for the rights to utilize it?

 

[s4wrxttcs]

Nope, and I think it's because it's patented by Nissan?!? I think others pay for the rights to utilize it?

I don't think the idea is patentable.

Certainly an implementation is.

Polaris patented their 360 degree solution for UTV's.
https://www.rideapart.com/news/734184/polaris-360-camera-patent-rzr-utv/

 

[ElGuano]

The CT doesn't have proper downfacing 360 degree camera right?

It's my favorite thing in the R1T despite the crappy cameras. Sorta jealous of the Gen2 owners.

Not a camera. But the Tesla vision implementation is actually not bad. I used it a few times, including in the dark at night, and while it's not as good as a camera, you get it full-screen, and it gives you enough 3D rendered information to accurately judge your distance to the curb, back wall, other vehicles, etc.

The 360 degree birds eye view is better.

 

[Biturbowned]

Yeah, but did you look at it?! Kidding. Seems like a fair review, thanks.

 

[ndmiller]

@Administrator Can we move this to competitors forum

 

[dleepnw]

fair point, but i dont own a gen2 so thats all i can compare it to. as i noted, design is subjective. might be ugly to you but its good looking to others. to each his own. and the CT isn't larger than some other "off-road" type vehicles like the Raptor or TRX but i agree smaller is better for certain trails.

 

[lirandy]

I test drove and played around the CT for 30 mins or so. Every time I opened/ closed the door, it reminded me of opening/ closing my fridge

 

[Rivian Head]

I had a chance to demo drive the CT. Foundation series, DM, AT tires. Wasn't a very long demo so this isn't a detailed review but rather my impressions. For context I have a 2023 Gen1 R1T QM with 20" AT, OC, Meridian which I've had for almost 2 years.

Conclusion: CT seems like a good vehicle overall. There's aspects of the truck I prefer to the R1T. At the moment, I wouldn't trade my R1T for the CT but I can see if I had certain use cases or preferences it would sway me.

Exterior
Your reviews are spot on. After test driving a CT, I understand why it is outselling all other EV trucks combined despite polarizing look. It has some stunning technology features that you mentioned, and drives very well. I put it in an order, but will try to keep R1T in my extended family.

• The stainless skin is cool. It's very strong. It definitely looks like it'll hold up well over time compared to just about any other vehicle exterior.
• The bed is a good size. The in-bed trunk is nice. Functional access to the bed is greatly reduced because of the sloped sides
• The tonneau works well and feels very strong. Its loud but maybe a bit quieter than the R1T.
• The panel gaps looked good. No worse or better than my R1T.
• No door handles takes getting used to but its not bad, however opening the door using the edge of the doorframe is not elegant.
• Tailgate is surprisingly light. much easier to close than the R1T.
• Its a big vehicle but doesn't feel that much bigger than my R1T.
• Design is subjective. I'm not a huge fan but I can see why some people like it and some hate it.
• I don't like the shine of the steel and it does collect fingerprints real easy, I can see why people wrap it
• It is a bit concerning in an accident what that strong exterior would do to other vehicles/people.
• The frunk is small. Kinda a bit silly imo.

Interior

• Fit and finish were decent, not as good as Rivian.
• Front seats are comfortable.
• Cabin is definitely bigger than the R1T
• Screens appear to have better clarity than in the R1T. Big screen for rear passengers is nice.
• Rear seating area is much roomier than the R1T. Not quite as large as a full size truck but close.
• No compressor noise from the cabin.
• Wireless charger works ?
• Quality of materials is definitely inferior to the R1T.
• I hate that there is no drivers screen. Do not like having just the main screen.
• Review mirror is a joke. Its small, flimsy and feels like a Dollar Tree product.
• I don't like having no stalks.
• Tonneau operation was loud from the cabin

Driving

• CT drives really well.
• The 4 wheel steering is insane. You get surprised how nimble the truck is. Steer by wire obviously also contributes to this. It does feel a bit "artificial" when holding the steering wheel and not feeling the road.
• The suspension is smoother than the R1T. It soaks up bumps, dips and uneven roads better than the R1T.
• Its quieter than the R1T. Less road noise, less wind noise, less suspension noise, less/no motor noise.
• Acceleration seemed more responsive than R1T. Tried in both Sport and Comfort and it responds faster. Compared to the Rivian which seems like it has a slight delay.
• Brakes feel better in the R1T.
• Squircle is strange. Not so much the shape but the size. Seems too small, maybe I'd get used to it. Squircle takes some getting used to but I would swap that for a round wheel if its an option.
• Side view mirrors are too small.
• Using the center screen for a rearview mirror is lame. They should have installed a mirror that can double as a screen.
• Visibility out the back is very compromised when tonneau is open. Certain angles outside are obscured as well. Overall, lots of blindspots.
• I don't like having to swipe to put the vehicle in D/P/R.
• Forgot to test the horn.

Tech

• FSD is very cool.
• 4 wheel steering is awesome.
• Audio system is very good. TBH, its not any better than my Meridian. I blasted it in the CT and the bass is stronger but overall not much different.
• CT cameras are way better than Gen1, seems about the same as Gen2.
• Driver assist features work better than Rivian. The awareness of other vehicles, pedestrians and the surroundings is very impressive. Gen1 awareness seems childish compared to the CT.
• Infotainment is way snappier than the R1T.
• Tesla offers more customizability than Rivian. That being, I prefer the Rivian UI. The layout very busy and distracting, the color scheme being so monotone doesnt help. I'm sure I'd get used it over time like with any UI but the fact that everything needs to fit onto one screen is not great. Too many things on the screen at once makes it messy.

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