This Cybertruck Hit 10,000 Miles. Here's the One Thing Owners Praise

We've previously said that the Cybertruck was the most anticipated vehicle of 2023. We've also stated that Tesla's all-electric workhorse is, in more than one way, the Lamborghini of pickup trucks. We still stand by those statements, even though recent developments have shown us that the EV isn't living up to the hype.

Still, what other automaker sells an edgy, bullet-resistant vehicle with rock-proof glass and a Gigawiper? The angular Cybertruck may not be charming, but it does have a certain allure to it. We can't put our finger on it, but there surely was something that convinced some of those 1.9 million people who placed a reservation deposit to go through with it. After all, they agreed to pay or finance $79,990 plus $20,000 for the Foundation Series and all the taxes and fees. Leasing is not available yet.

Two people with the early adopter mindset bought a Cybertruck. They got it with around 72 miles on the odometer and went over the 10,000-mile threshold a few days ago. The all-terrain tires were switched with all-season rubber bands, but the owners didn't notice any improvement in electricity consumption.

They use a Wall Connector to charge the pickup truck at home, which takes anywhere between eight to 14 hours for a full charge. The Cybertruck doesn't have 80-amp charging. The drivers didn't treat the EV like a feeble supercar, so the lifetime efficiency wasn't very good - 0.59 kWh per mile. That results in a range of about 208 miles on a single charge, which is in line with previous reports.

Do keep in mind that they drove mostly on highways.

The good

The Rivian R1T, which is arguably the Cybertruck's main rival because the F-150 Lightning isn't built for off-roading and the Chevy Silverado EV is currently being delivered only to fleet customers, can comfortably go about 350 miles on a single charge in ideal conditions and Conserve Mode turned on.

That's just to put the whole range thing better into perspective. It's also an objective reminder that the much-hyped 4680 cells aren't delivering that game-changing energy density and efficiency.

They also noticed that the Cybertruck doesn't charge fast at V2 or V3 Superchargers. Going from 5 to 70% can take over an hour when hooked to the latter and nearly two hours when using the former.

Aside from charging and range woes, the one thing both owners love is the sound system. The 13 speakers plus two subwoofers are expected to make a long-lasting impression on those sitting inside the pickup truck. The cabin almost pressurizes like an aircraft's fuselage once the doors are closed and the windows are up. Sound leakage is kept at a minimum.

The same airtightness and a large air filter help the A/C system protect those inside the truck from harmful chemicals. The so-called "bioweapon defense mode" might be slightly exaggerated, but it can do a great job fighting pollution. You won't breathe any harmful particles while waiting at a traffic light.

Besides the sound system, the owners also like the handling, the ventilated seats, the innovative steer-by-wire, the frunk, the overall visibility, and the acceleration.

The not-so-good

What they don't like is the road noise, the stainless steel body that's prone to fingerprints and smudges, the range, the attention from strangers, and (understandably) the prolonged charging times. The buyers also noticed that the tonneau cover doesn't act as a seal. If it's raining, it gets wet inside.

Interestingly enough, the two Californians say the digital rearview camera isn't great. However, they like how the side mirrors look on the 18.5-inch touchscreen and believe the physical parts should be removed. At the same time, they said that the infotainment display broke. Their design wish would have left them in quite a predicament with a blacked-out screen.

The pair pays $465 per month for insurance (full coverage), but they also own a Model 3. Previously, they had a Ford F-150 Raptor in the driveway. That conventional pickup truck was replaced with Tesla's futuristic-looking ride with a bed.

Given their feedback, it's unlikely that the pricey Cybertruck can be the only vehicle most people will ever need. However, the range can be improved through a $16,000 range extender. The upgrade should provide around 120 miles of extra zero-emission go.

Prospective buyers remain optimistic, though. They believe Tesla will come up with an upgraded battery pack that might improve efficiency by approximately 10%.

Whatever happens, it's important to remember two things Elon Musk said: the Cybertruck's development was a painstaking process for Tesla that resembled what happened with the falcon-winged Model X, and the company isn't attempting to make the pickup truck a sales champion.

The promising (or, better yet, hopeful) part

The Cybertruck is Tesla's first 800V EV with 48V accessories and fewer cables, so it is a testbed in more than one way. The brand might bring a refined product after it collects enough data from enthusiast customers.

We could see the pickup truck evolving into a profitable caterpillar in a couple of years, though! The Model 3 is a good indication in this regard. The facelift arrived a little bit later than anticipated, but it brought noticeable improvements without absurd price hikes. That's a rare sight in the auto industry!

Could we be treated to a tri-motor Cyberbeast that will make everything else on the road feel sluggish and outdated? It's a risky bet I'm unwilling to make at the moment. But Tesla's full of surprises. We never know what the world's most valuable automaker has in store.

Until then, the Cybertruck might simply serve as a cool thing to have and show friends, coworkers, and neighbors. If you think about it for a minute, it really is the Lamborghini of pickup trucks. It's a high-riding, battery-electric, workhorse-wannabe set of wheels people will drive once in a while or use to make some cash on the side by renting it to strangers or creating online content. That's similar to what most supercar owners do.

Maybe Tesla's first pickup truck is a supertruck we misunderstood.