Cybertruck Cyberbeast vs Lightning XLT - Owner (of Both) Comparison

[Cybertruck2024]

I traded in my F-150 Lightning XLT, which I owned for 19 months when I picked up my Cyberbeast. 500 miles later, I have a pretty good idea of what trucks does what better. There's plenty of CT reviews on here by now, so I figured I'll take this approach to give people an informed comparison between two EV trucks.

Cyberbeast Pros
- This thing is fast! If you want the fastest truck on the planet, you buy the Beast. If this is your primary reason for buying the truck, stop reading here and put your order in, it's awesome.
- Screen is great. It's big and everything moves fast. If you like the Tesla infotainment setup, and I do, this is top notch stuff.
- I really like the interior and the white looks great. At night when the moon is shining through the fantastic roof, the subtle glow off the white interior looks amazing.
- Tonneau is fantastic. The bed of this truck is a real bed and the under-bed storage is also really nice. All the reviews I am seeing saying otherwise don't make sense to me.
- Steer by wire is the real deal and so cool to feel in practice. I am hopeful a S Plaid refresh has steer by wire in coming years, I would buy it day one if they add this and can shave 0.1+ seconds off the 0-60.
- I also love the squircle, the Lightning wheel is comically large and unnecessary compared to this, it feels great.
- The look of the CT is polarizing, but if you love it, you love it. I love it! I don't mind paying a premium for the truck looking so unique.

Lightning Pros
- Number one is value! My Lightning was $49k after tax incentives, it is unbelievable for the cost. The Flash is $60k after tax incentives, the best trim for the money. Until the CT can be had for $70k-ish after incentives, I'd still recommend the Lightning over the CT for most buyers.
- Ford has built trucks for a long time and it shows. Everything in the interior that isn't the screen is more usable in the Lightning. The storage is better, access to plugs is better, cupholders are better, table inside is missed already, seats are more comfortable.
- Ride comfort is better in the Lightning. First off it is much more quiet. I don't mind the motor noise in the Beast, but it is noticeable versus the silent Lightning. The road/tire noise in the Beast however is unfortunate. My Lightning is also on AT tires, so comparison is honest. Also the Lightning feels like riding on a cloud, the Beast is stiff and not nearly as comfortable.
- The frunk in the Lightning is incredible. The frunk in the Beast is not very good.
- Cleaning the Lightning is easy, I go through a touch less car wash and done. I am still trying to figure out how the hell to clean my CT, it's a problem I never had with another vehicle.
- I am old, I like my tailgate step in the Lightning. It's noticeably more challenging to access the Beast's bed.
- I like XM radio, Lightning has it.
- Spare tire.
- Parking sensors (beep as you approach an obstacle) and 360 view make the Lightning idiot proof to park. The CT is a huge fail in this regard, I understand the beeps may not be possible in the CT, but give me an exact copy of the overhead view please!

If you need the fastest truck on earth, get the Beast. If you want to reward Tesla for making a vehicle that looks like nothing else, get the CT. No regrets from me, because that's what I wanted... BUT! If the CT was the same speed as my Lightning, I'd be full of regrets at the $100k AWD price. There just isn't enough there that's better than the Lightning for $40k more than the Flash trim. For everything CT does better, it does something else worse. When the AWD is $72k versus a $60k Flash Lightning, now I think the decision is a lot harder, because I'd say these trucks truly are a tie to me. I just ask any perspective CT buyers to do yourself a favor and test drive a Lightning first, especially if you've never driven an EV truck before.

Sponsored

 

[CyberFreak]

I prefer the ride in the beast. Just set it to relaxed instead of focused for more comfort.

and the sound system absolutely destroys the one in the xlt!

Also the CT has adjustable air suspension while the xlt is stuck to a single ride height. That flexibility is a huge advantage for the CT.

No issues cleaning my CB with PPF wrap. Just use a spray on/wipe off rinseless wash like ultima plus.

Better payload & towing too.

if you can afford it, CB wins—no contest.

 

[Obie_fl]

I have to agree the Lightning brings a lot to the table, however the 800# gorilla in the room is at last report they were losing $132K per truck, that is just not sustainable for long with a company like Ford. Now I doubt the CT is profitable yet but likely rapidly getting better as Tesla reiterates much faster and is one of the few companies outside of China that has shown they can make a profit with EVs. None of the big three are close yet. Same can be said for Rivian but I'm hoping they can get to profitability. Then there is Lucid

I'm an old Ford guy but not really a pickup guy. So why a CT? Because it is so different and cool that it doesn't feel like a pickup. Honestly I would have opted for a new Tesla X if it had all the new tech CT has.

 

[CTInProcess]

If this is the case then it sounds like the Cyberbeast is the only one to get as the AWD would be over priced and on par spec wise with the cheaper Lightning.

The one thing though that all CT have is the attraction. Everyone wants a picture and wants to be seen in it… that my friends, is priceless ….

 

[getsometom]

We could have bought 2 of the Lightnings for one FS Cybertruck.

 

[Cybertruck2024]

Good posts above. I am not a great sound system person, as I have tinnitus and can't play anything over 50% volume without triggering my buzz. So I'm not giving credit where it's due I am sure. The adjustable height does let me bring the CT into a parking garage near me at work, where my Lightning was too tall.

Ford announced the second gen Lightning basically the same time they launched the first. Also a fair point that behind the scenes Ford is working to move to a new platform. However, my reliability has been top notch and I am sure Ford will honor warranty repairs. There's going to be 100k+ Lightnings on the road, there is incentive to make parts. Lightning isn't a Fisker situation.

Regarding ride comfort, even on relaxed the CT just feels stiff compared to the Lightning. I drove my Lightning 3 hours to drop off the trade-in, drove the Beast 3 hours home. Both my gf and I commented how the ride comfort was worse.

Part of why I bought the CT is I love how it looks. It's a shame the only long term solution for easy maintenance is to cover the thing I like! Add another $7k-ish to the price too. "Get it wrapped " comment is more support of the Lightning, I could've wrapped that too if I wanted, but I didn't need to.

The attention of the CT will fade in the coming months, but it sure is something. You just can't go anywhere without getting approached. When I have time it is fun, when I am in a rush, it's exhausting.

 

[CyberFreak]

Good posts above. I am not a great sound system person, as I have tinnitus and can't play anything over 50% volume without triggering my buzz. So I'm not giving credit where it's due I am sure. The adjustable height does let me bring the CT into a parking garage near me at work, where my Lightning was too tall.

Ford announced the second gen Lightning basically the same time they launched the first. Also a fair point that behind the scenes Ford is working to move to a new platform. However, my reliability has been top notch and I am sure Ford will honor warranty repairs. There's going to be 100k+ Lightnings on the road, there is incentive to make parts. Lightning isn't a Fisker situation.

Regarding ride comfort, even on relaxed the CT just feels stiff compared to the Lightning. I drove my Lightning 3 hours to drop off the trade-in, drove the Beast 3 hours home. Both my gf and I commented how the ride comfort was worse.

Part of why I bought the CT is I love how it looks. It's a shame the only long term solution for easy maintenance is to cover the thing I like! Add another $7k-ish to the price too. "Get it wrapped " comment is more support of the Lightning, I could've wrapped that too if I wanted, but I didn't need to.

The attention of the CT will fade in the coming months, but it sure is something. You just can't go anywhere without getting approached. When I have time it is fun, when I am in a rush, it's exhausting.

I don’t like the ride of the xlt as much because to me it feels more “floaty” and disconnected from the road. The CT strikes the best balance of road feel & comfort to me.

Tsprtsline has clear PPF for ~3,500 installed if you prefer to keep the stainless look.

and the superior towing capacity of the CB is significant.

So againif you can afford it, the CB wins EASILY as I mentioned.

 

[Cybertruck2024]

I don’t like the ride of the xlt as much because to me it feels more “floaty” and disconnected from the road. The CT strikes the best balance of road feel & comfort to me.

Tsprtsline has clear PPF for ~3,500 installed if you prefer to keep the stainless look.

and the superior towing capacity of the CB is significant.

So againif you can afford it, the CB wins EASILY as I mentioned.

Whether you can or can't afford something, doesn't mean value proposition isn't an important thing to consider. Unless you're a billionaire, you'll stop being able to afford things real quick with that train of thought. I know a guy who won a multi-million dollar lottery prize and it was gone in 3 years because he got into this mindset.

No one has to agree with me, we all have different opinions and that's great. But lots of people on here are deferring their AWD CT orders to get the $72k variety. I imagine a lot of these people will be happy to hear me say that they are making (in my opinion) the right decision based on competing vehicles available on the market. I think a $72k CT is as good as anything on the market at that price range, and will absolutely be the best choice for a lot of people depending on primary personal use case.

I'm in upstate NY, so no T-Sportline here. I may need to check out what someone will charge me to install here. My initial goal was to go through one winter and see how the stainless holds up, since I live in one of the harshest winter cities on the planet. It's more for curiosity purposes, but it is starting to look more and more like wrapping is a must and not a want for CT.

 

[TyPope]

Has anyone here tried a ceramic coating on a Cybertruck? Whether I got another Ford or a Cybertruck, I'd be ceramic coating it (My Maverick may get done next weekend...). Anyway, ceramic coating MAY keep the fingerprints at bay and make it easier to clean to boot.

 

[Cybertruck2024]

Has anyone here tried a ceramic coating on a Cybertruck? Whether I got another Ford or a Cybertruck, I'd be ceramic coating it (My Maverick may get done next weekend...). Anyway, ceramic coating MAY keep the fingerprints at bay and make it easier to clean to boot.

Out of Spec Detailing just posted a video on it. I haven't had a chance to watch yet, but will in the near term.

 

[CyberFreak]

Whether you can or can't afford something, doesn't mean value proposition isn't an important thing to consider. Unless you're a billionaire, you'll stop being able to afford things real quick with that train of thought. I know a guy who won a multi-million dollar lottery prize and it was gone in 3 years because he got into this mindset.

No one has to agree with me, we all have different opinions and that's great. But lots of people on here are deferring their AWD CT orders to get the $72k variety. I imagine a lot of these people will be happy to hear me say that they are making (in my opinion) the right decision based on competing vehicles available on the market. I think a $72k CT is as good as anything on the market at that price range, and will absolutely be the best choice for a lot of people depending on primary personal use case.

I'm in upstate NY, so no T-Sportline here. I may need to check out what someone will charge me to install here. My initial goal was to go through one winter and see how the stainless holds up, since I live in one of the harshest winter cities on the planet. It's more for curiosity purposes, but it is starting to look more and more like wrapping is a must and not a want for CT.

If you want to discuss “value” then the beast is even a more clear winner because to me the value of an all purpose truck that doubles as a luxury suv and beats lambos from 0-60, that is about as valuable to me as anything from any other vehicle.

 

[TyPope]

Out of Spec Detailing just posted a video on it. I haven't had a chance to watch yet, but will in the near term.

SPOILER:

Ceramic coatings are

Spoiler: Well?

NOT recommended.

 

[Cybergirl]

In all this back and forth, no one has yet mentioned the elephant in the room. It's the primary reason I bought Cybertruck.

FSD

Yes, I know it's not released yet, but it will be soon. Having been a daily user of FSD in my Model Y for years, and now with V12 being virtually intervention-free, I simply will not own a car or truck without full self driving. Most people I talk to about FSD don't get it. It's beyond their realm of experience until I talk them into a demonstration ride. Tesla's FSD will change the face of transportation in the coming years. No way I was going to give up FSD for Blue Cruise.

 

[skinzy]

100% agree about FSD! It will arrive and be a game changer. Do agree with OP CT is not a value play as a foundation series. It will be in a year or two.

 

[heems]

As I read the comments can’t help realize how subjective value is. Lots of passion to “prove” value like it is a fact but in reality it’s as subjective as beauty. To my friend that makes $200K and has two kids to put through college the Ford is of much greater value even if the CT flew. And to my other friend that is a surgeon and makes $700K and the CB replaces his Rivian and Porsche 911 combined at a “measly” $120K the CB is a great value. So let’s take all this value business with a grain of salt.

For me, I value the ingenuity that went into making the CT. A lazy, me too approach to making something has very little value to me. What’s the value of the past vs the future ? It’s not cheap (for me at least) but I would never step in a Ford (or Chevy or Toyota or [insert legacy manufacturer] ).They didn’t sweat and put their heart into moving the world forward. The team at Tesla has done something grand. It’s glorious and something to behold.

Sponsored