What Tesla Did with the $69,990 RWD Model

Tesla followed through with its plan and launched a rear-wheel-drive version of the Cybertruck. But it is not exactly what fans were hoping for. While the price is slightly lower, starting at $69,990, this variant is stripped of many features that made the Cybertruck exciting to begin with. It feels like the only goal here is to make the all-wheel-drive version seem like the better deal.

A year ago, the Cybertruck was one of the most hyped electric vehicles on the market. Fast forward to now, and the reality is a bit underwhelming. According to a new report by Cox Automotive, Tesla only sold 6,400 units in the first quarter of the year, far less than expected. This means the Cybertruck has lost its crown as the top-selling electric pickup truck in the United States. That title now belongs to the Ford F-150 Lightning, which delivered 7,187 units.

To spark interest, Tesla introduced two major updates. First, it expanded sales to Saudi Arabia. Second, it finally launched the single-motor rear-wheel-drive variant. Many people doubted this version would even see the light of day, especially since the demand for rear-wheel-drive trucks is close to nonexistent. Still, Tesla brought it out, and it does offer the best range in the lineup—350 miles, or 362 miles with a $750 soft tonneau cover. That is a notable improvement over the original 250-mile estimate Tesla gave when the Cybertruck was first shown in 2019.

But that longer range comes at a high cost. Priced just $10,000 less than the dual-motor model, this rear-wheel-drive version sacrifices a lot. Gone are the 120-volt and 240-volt outlets in the bed and cabin. It lacks the tonneau cover, the rear light bar, and even the Cybertruck’s signature front lights. Inside, you get textile seats instead of vegan leather, and there are no heating features in the rear or ventilation up front. The sound system has been downgraded too—only 7 speakers versus the 15 in higher trims, and no active noise cancelation.

The ride quality has also taken a hit. Instead of air suspension, Tesla uses steel springs and adaptive shock absorbers, locked in at a ground clearance of 9.5 inches. The more expensive versions offer up to 16 inches of clearance, which makes them better suited for off-road adventures. Oddly, Tesla also did not include a storage compartment under the truck bed, which could have held a spare tire.

One small positive is that Tesla kept the PowerShare capability. You can still power external devices through the Mobile Connector using an adapter, though only at 110 volts and 20 amps. While the truck still has the bi-directional inverter, Tesla removed the outlets and internal wiring to cut costs—although that reportedly only saved them less than $50.

For those who expected a $39,900 Cybertruck as initially promised, this stripped-down version feels like a letdown. It costs nearly double and gives you a fraction of the experience. If you found this video helpful, do not forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss out on future updates.