My Cybertruck test drive review vs. F150 Lightning Pro

[GFleck]

Not so much a comment on your review or your personal decision. Hell, I can see the cost factor alone being a decision maker for some. This also might not apply to op given they're familiar with electric vehicles, but given CT specifically it may still apply. End Disclaimer lol.

Test drives and Teslas are a tricky thing, doubly so with the Cybertruck. There are so many things that are so different than what people are used to and have been programmed, mentally and physically, to do and expect over decades of driving. Being a tech, gadget, and big proponent of new and better, this was less of an issue for me than my wife, but when she first got into a Tesla she absolutely hated it and things like the one pedal driving drove her crazy. She literally didn't feel safe driving it. However, after about a week she settled into it, adapted mentally and physically and began to love all the things she initially hated. Now you couldn't pay her to go back to ice or anything different. I had a similar learning curve and adjustment period but I was more prepared for / expecting it.

Now with the Cybertruck we had a kinda similar, though not as drastic, adjustment period with the same result. Now we both complain when one of us has to take the model Y, and getting into any other car is beyond frustrating and feels like a horse and buggy ?

Not everyone for sure, but I think a lot of people are going to miss out by taking a single 20 min test drive and being like WTF and passing, when they would have not only adjusted, but come to love the new and different. It's an interesting dilemma for Tesla also that I'm not sure how you overcome. The only answer I can come up with is word-of-mouth and folks like myself saying things like this and telling and warning my friends what to expect. I can see why Tesla has historically not really made test drives a big thing or promoted them. Pre more mass adoption like we have now.

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[Pyork]

I completely agree that I may get used to the CT after a week and prefer it to a lightning. I was just expecting to be blown away with the CT in terms of on road performance and tech. The looks and coolness of the CT are the strong points in my opinion.

 

[LonelyCTfan]

I had the opportunity to test drive the AWD foundation series Cybertruck today. I currently have a ‘23 lightning PRO SR that I bought for $40,000 after incentives as original msrp was honored for me. I had high hopes for the Cybertruck and was considering switching given the fact that I like the design. After my test drive of the 100k Cybertruck I can say without a doubt that the F150 Lightning PRO is head and shoulders above the Cybertruck.

Cybertruck wins on:

Styling (if that’s your thing)
Turn radius (it turns on a dime)
Range compared to SR
Heated and cooled front seats and heated rear seats
Rear screen
Air suspension
Tonneau cover and bed trunk

F150 Lightning PRO wins on:

Everything else
Acceleration (Lightning seems significantly faster to my surprise)
Frunk space (Cybertruck drink is ting)
Interior comforts (vinyl seats in the PRO are actually more comfortable)
Rear seat space (no comparison)
Steering (the steering wheel is very small and odd to use)
Bed (lightning bed seems larger width wise)
Read visibility (numerous blind spots in cybertruck)
Drive modes (cybertruck only has one pedal drive)
Interior quality (cybertruck is minimalist and seems cheap with too much plastic)
Overall driving experience

I really wanted to like the Cybertruck but the Lightning is a better vehicle and truck. Maybe Tesla will make some improvements in the next gen model. Certainly not worth the price it is currently offered at or even 80k. Maybe at $65k it would sell but I think the Flash trim would be a better option for most.

Thank you for this post! ? And the eye candy haha ?
Tesla agreed to buy back my Lemon today! So I'm on the hunt for a new rig. They have a Rivian R1T for sell near me, but I started with a Ford I wouldn't mind going out in one either...Plus they have a stock available nearby. I know what I'm doing tomorrow!

 

[Known-Background]

Lightning has single pedal or traditional with regen. The brake pedal only applies the actual pads if you are stopping short, otherwise it uses the motors for regen. It’s similar to 1 pedal but you are controlling it.
It may just be a preference thing with the interior in regards to the plastic comment I made. The sparse dashboard seemed very plain to me. It may be that the demo truck I drove had the tactical grey interior.

I really want to test a FL and a rivian. I think the FL seems great and I was going to get one or a rivian but the CT pulled me away the steering is a game changer. All cars feel like I’m steering a boat now with the hand over hand turning. I really think the FL150 is a great option and the cargo spaces and utility are appealing. They are all great trucks in different ways.

 

[Known-Background]

Thank you for this post! ? And the eye candy haha ?
Tesla agreed to buy back my Lemon today! So I'm on the hunt for a new rig. They have a Rivian R1T for sell near me, but I started with a Ford I wouldn't mind going out in one either...Plus they have a stock available nearby. I know what I'm doing tomorrow!

How long did that process take? What made them agree with the return? Also what state are you in as lemon laws differ everywhere.

 

[CyberTW]

I must say, though I think the Cybertruck is a far superior product having owned one and driven a F150L, it’s also far more expensive—- but this thread proves that this forum is infinitely better than Reddit, TMC and what not where there is no discussion and just people acting like douche canoes on both sides … bravo.

 

[FuryEV]

The Lighting SR is faster then a Lighting LR, I owned both. the lighting SR is alot lighter, Cybertruck cost alot to make the Stainless Steel is expensive. Tesla needs to put Insane Mode in the AWD CT like the Model X LR has. its makes a big difference. Ford Maps sucked for me. I did use Waze more. and Well I hate Electrify America, I know with Nacs it going to be better. Ive own all the EV Trucks made even the Hummer EV( There TECH SUCKS big time slow as hell) roof leaked and rattled. they never could fix it. and well it only got like 1.2-1.7 MPK .. but like they say to each there own, I have a CyberBeast and Wife has a AWD. I actually like the AWD more then my beast. the Cyberbeast Eats tires

 

[GatorCyber]

Lightning has single pedal or traditional with regen. The brake pedal only applies the actual pads if you are stopping short, otherwise it uses the motors for regen. It’s similar to 1 pedal but you are controlling it.
It may just be a preference thing with the interior in regards to the plastic comment I made. The sparse dashboard seemed very plain to me. It may be that the demo truck I drove had the tactical grey interior.

you are also 'controlling it with one pedal'
If you test drive with Tesla, they are locked in 'chill' mode

 

[GatorCyber]

I completely agree that I may get used to the CT after a week and prefer it to a lightning. I was just expecting to be blown away with the CT in terms of on road performance and tech. The looks and coolness of the CT are the strong points in my opinion.

The real Tesla 'tech' is FSD. I find myself annoyed with having the chore of driving now. You also don't get to experience the Tesla app, frequent upgrades via OTR updates, Sentry mode, and the navigation route planner and ease of road trips with just a test drive. It's nice getting all the updates and latest features and not being forced to buy a new car like it was in the past.

 

[Rocwurst]

Interesting. The price you paid is surprisingly cheap and I could understand why that would be a big reason for choosing the Lightning.

Personally there are a lot of other factors that weigh in the Cybertruck’s favour for me:

 

[carsly]

Thanks for sharing your experience on a Cybertruck owners (and waiters) forum. For $40K, a new Lightning would be tough to beat.

For me, the Lightning handles and feels too much like a truck - it's ponderous. The outdated CCS charging port and horrific public charging infrastructure (for whenever you may need it) is a massive minus and the lack of touch-anything, touch-everything OTA updates like Apple or Tesla is also a major minus.

However, if you're largely charging at known locations, like a truck that feels trucky (doesn't handle particularly well) and want more rear seat room then a Lightning is a good option. At $40K? That's an outstanding option! Heck, it's less expensive than a Model Y, Polestar 2 or any number of smaller EV's that are decidely not equipped for truck use. Enjoy the Lightning!

 

[Ray in montana]

Like you I started with the F-150 lightning. For the most part I agree with everything you said, the F-150 is far more practical and a much better value.

The items that convinced me to make the switch were:

• Better off-road capability
• Sentry mode
• The styling / badassery
• FSD
• A heavy dose of "fear of missing out" if I didn't act on the FS invite after 4 years of waiting.

That that said I love my Cyberbeast and I hope I have it long enough to get buried in it.

Yep. Same here. Nothing against the Ford but it looks so dated and plain after owning a CT. And the interior looks antiquated with the knobs and dails.

 

[steezymcfresh]

I'm curious just how much of a game changer and differentiator steer by wire is. While many folks who don't own or haven't driven a CT comment on specs, steer by wire seems like the thing you need to try to appreciate. I liken it to how people would judge the specs of Steve Jobs-era Apple products but, once you used it and held it in hand, they just felt special in a way that couldn't be described with a spec sheet.

The Lightning and Silverado look like great trucks but they look like they operate like big hulking vehicles. Like many other tech nerds, CT will be my first truck and having it steer and maneuver like a smaller car will make it so much more enjoyable to drive.

Also, I may be wrong but does the Lightning Pro only have 240mi range? That's a pretty big difference from 310+ but maybe it's at least a little more consistent at providing that range.

 

[lowtek]

Ford has all but abandoned the Lightning in favor of hybrid trucks, no V2 even planned, halved production this year.

I wish they would double down on it and get a V2 out there. Iterations will make it shine. I'm historically a Ford guy.

Now I find I'm a Tesla guy, and love the CyberTruck.

Note sure a Lightning is beating "Beast" mode, though. Let's go!

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