Tesla Cybertruck RWD Review Discontinued Long Range Model Pros & Cons
The Tesla Cybertruck RWD, also known as the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive variant, arrived as a controversial attempt to broaden the electric truck’s appeal with a lower starting price. Offered briefly before Tesla discontinued it in late 2025, this single-motor model stripped away several signature features that defined the Cybertruck’s futuristic image and capability.
Priced between roughly $62,490 and $69,990 depending on timing and available incentives, it aimed to undercut the dual-motor All-Wheel Drive versions. Yet reviews and owner feedback quickly highlighted how many of those cost-saving deletions diluted the vehicle’s core appeal. This retrospective examines the Tesla Cybertruck RWD in detail—its performance, compromises, real-world usability, and lasting lessons for the electric truck segment.
The Rise of Electric Pickup Trucks
Electric pickups represent one of the fastest-growing segments in personal transportation. They combine traditional truck utility—towing, hauling, and off-road ability—with zero tailpipe emissions, instant torque, and advanced software. Early models faced skepticism over range, payload, and charging infrastructure, but rapid improvements have made them viable daily drivers and work vehicles.
Within this landscape, the Cybertruck stands out for its stainless-steel exoskeleton, angular design, and steer-by-wire system. The short-lived RWD version tested how far Tesla could go in simplifying the formula while still delivering acceptable performance and value.
Types of Electric Trucks and Where the RWD Fits
Electric trucks generally fall into a few categories:
- Entry-level or range-focused models prioritize efficiency and lower price, often using single-motor rear-wheel drive.
- All-wheel-drive dual-motor trucks balance capability, traction, and features for most buyers.
- High-performance tri-motor variants emphasize acceleration, towing, and premium equipment.
The Tesla Cybertruck RWD belonged firmly in the first group. It traded power, refinement, and convenience features for a lower purchase price and a modest range advantage on paper.
Performance and Acceleration
The single rear motor produced noticeably slower acceleration than the dual-motor AWD models. Official figures listed 0–60 mph in 6.2 seconds for the RWD versus 3.8 seconds for the AWD.
In everyday driving the RWD still delivered strong low-end torque typical of electric vehicles, making city and highway merging competent. However, the absence of a front motor reduced traction in slippery conditions and limited the truck’s ability to put power down when towing or accelerating hard from a stop. Towing capacity dropped to 7,500 pounds compared with 11,000 pounds on the AWD versions—an important distinction for buyers who regularly haul trailers or equipment.
Battery, Range, and Efficiency
Tesla advertised up to 350 miles of range for the RWD on standard 18-inch wheels, slightly higher than the AWD’s 340-mile claim. The improvement stemmed largely from reduced weight (one fewer motor and the absence of the powered tonneau cover) and lower energy consumption.
Real-world range varied with speed, temperature, load, and terrain, as with any electric vehicle. The single-motor layout helped efficiency on steady highway cruises, yet the truck’s large frontal area and stainless-steel body still demanded careful energy management on long trips.
Suspension, Ride Quality, and Handling
One of the most significant changes was the switch from adaptive air suspension to a conventional coil-spring setup. The air system on AWD models allows ride-height adjustment, improved high-speed stability, and better absorption of rough roads.
The RWD’s fixed coil suspension produced a firmer, less refined ride. Owners and reviewers frequently described it as noticeably harsher over expansion joints, potholes, and uneven pavement. While acceptable for many drivers, the difference became a frequent point of criticism at the vehicle’s price level.
Utility Bed and Practical Features
The Cybertruck’s vault-like bed is a defining element of the design. On AWD models a powered hard tonneau cover is standard, along with under-bed storage, multiple cargo tie-downs, and built-in 110-volt and 220-volt power outlets.
The RWD deleted the powered cover (a manual soft cover was available as a $750 option) and removed several of those integrated utility features. The result felt less finished and less versatile for owners who expected a complete work-ready truck.
Interior, Comfort, and Technology
Inside, the cost reductions were equally apparent. Leatherette seating gave way to firmer cloth upholstery. The rear passenger screen disappeared, reducing entertainment options for back-seat occupants. The audio system shrank to seven speakers without dedicated subwoofers, diminishing the immersive cabin experience found in higher trims.
The large central touchscreen, minimalist dashboard, and steer-by-wire controls remained, preserving the distinctive Cybertruck interface. Yet the overall cabin atmosphere felt more utilitarian and less premium than the AWD versions at a similar price point.
Pricing and Market Positioning
By undercutting the dual-motor models by approximately $10,000, the Tesla Cybertruck RWD targeted buyers focused primarily on purchase price and range. In practice, many shoppers decided the missing features—air suspension, powered tonneau, better audio, rear screen, and higher towing capacity—outweighed the savings.
Tesla discontinued the variant after a relatively short production run in late 2025, shifting emphasis back to dual-motor AWD configurations and the tri-motor Cyberbeast.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Tesla Cybertruck RWD (Long Range) | Tesla Cybertruck AWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0–60 mph | 6.2 seconds | 3.8 seconds |
| Towing Capacity | 7,500 lbs | 11,000 lbs |
| Suspension | Standard coil springs | Adaptive air suspension |
| Tonneau Cover | None standard (manual soft $750) | Powered hard cover standard |
| Advertised Range | Up to 350 miles | Up to 340 miles |
| Seating Material | Cloth | Leatherette |
| Rear Passenger Screen | Deleted | Standard |
| Audio System | 7 speakers | Higher speaker count + subwoofers |
| Bed Utility Features | Reduced (no under-bed storage, limited outlets) | Full suite of outlets, storage, tie-downs |
Real-World Usability and Ownership Considerations
For drivers who primarily needed an efficient electric truck for commuting and light-duty tasks on paved roads, the RWD could serve adequately. Its higher claimed range and lower price held theoretical appeal.
However, the combination of a firmer ride, reduced towing ability, missing bed features, and a less refined cabin made it a tougher recommendation for most buyers who expected the full Cybertruck experience. Maintenance remains similar to other Tesla vehicles—primarily tire rotations, cabin filter changes, and software updates—with the electric powertrain requiring minimal traditional service.
Ownership costs benefit from lower energy expenses compared with gasoline trucks, though insurance and potential stainless-steel body repairs can be higher than conventional pickups. Environmentally, the single-motor layout offered a slight efficiency edge, further reducing lifetime emissions for high-mileage users.
Market Impact and Future Trends
The brief existence of the Tesla Cybertruck RWD illustrated the challenges of creating a true entry-level version of a highly distinctive vehicle. Stripping signature features risked alienating the very buyers attracted to the Cybertruck’s unique character.
Looking ahead, electric truck competition continues to intensify with offerings from Ford, Rivian, Chevrolet, and others. Future models will likely focus on better balancing price, range, towing, and refinement without eliminating the differentiating elements that define each brand’s identity. Adaptive suspension, versatile bed systems, and robust all-wheel-drive capability appear to remain priorities for the majority of buyers.
The Tesla Cybertruck RWD represented an ambitious but ultimately short-lived experiment in democratizing the polarizing electric truck. While it delivered respectable range and a lower sticker price, the deletion of air suspension, the powered tonneau cover, premium interior touches, and meaningful utility features left many reviewers and potential owners feeling the compromises were too great.
Tesla’s decision to discontinue the model after only a few months suggests the market preferred the more complete AWD experience. For shoppers today, the dual-motor configurations offer a clearer balance of capability, comfort, and the distinctive Cybertruck character that made the vehicle famous.
If you owned or test-drove the RWD version, or if you are considering any Cybertruck today, share your experiences and questions in the comments. Pass this review to anyone researching electric trucks, and subscribe for ongoing coverage of the evolving electric vehicle market. Explore our related articles on electric truck towing, real-world range testing, and ownership costs to continue learning.
