Tesla Cybertruck

Build Quality & Design

Entering, Tesla has certainly improved their interior game. The minimalist style is either cool and refreshing or annoyingly bare, depending on your point of view. The artificial leather upholstery is high-quality and the quality of construction is miles above what I have encountered with early Tesla interiors.

All this is operated by that huge 18.5-inch landscape touchscreen - climate control, navigation, even the glove box. This was a big leap as far as a Range Rover is concerned, but within a few weeks, it is surprisingly natural.

Front Seats

The front seats are superb - 12 way power adjustable with heating and ventilation (critical in our climate). The panoramic windshield gives it great visibility but I do wish Tesla had included an inbuilt sunshade to our scorching sun. The optional conventional steering wheel (yes, I changed the yoke) is worth every dirham in day to day driving in Dubai.

Rear Seats

The second row has a generous space for mid-sized three adults, and the floor is flat, thus giving maximum legroom. The heated rear seats are a pleasant luxury addition, and that 9.4-inch rear touchscreen provides passengers with climate and entertainment control. On colder evenings in the winter, everyone is comfortable.

Storage Solutions

This is where the Cybertruck completely shines. The frunk offers 201 liters of extra storage - ideal to keep the groceries cool or keep the valuables safe. The center console is well-considered and has two wireless charging pads, several 65W USB-C ports, 120V/240V outlets, and a lot of storage of small items.

The Tesla Cybertruck offers up to 1,897 liters of lockable cargo space in its rear bed. Apart from that, the door panels have proper 1-liter bottle holders. The interior is well organized with the deep center console and under-seat storage that is essential both during family outings and work use.

The safety technology is amazing and apt for UAE driving. There are eight cameras that give a 360-degree view, which is extremely helpful when it comes to parking in small Dubai Mall parking lots or maneuvering through the hectic intersections in Sharjah.

Autopilot is an excellent highway performer in the UAE. I extensively use it on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi route, which manages lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and lane change when indicated. It helps a lot to overcome fatigue during the longer desert drives.

This is truly tank-like because of the stainless steel exoskeleton and rigid structure. Emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and blind spot warnings are all good. The 5-star NHTSA ratings are reassuring, but hopefully I will never put them into practice.

Cybertruck wins your heart or sends you running to the hills for its exterior design. Four months later, I can safely say that there is no in-between: either people love this angular madness to death or believe that it looks like a kitchen appliance that has become sentient.

The 30X cold-rolled stainless steel exoskeleton is not just a display piece, it is really functional. No sandstorm paint to peel off, no rust in our salty coastal air, and the little dings of the shopping trolley it has gathered in City Centre hardly show. The angular, faceted design resembles a person who folded origami with a sledgehammer but somehow it works wonders.

It is 5,682.9 mm long, which is rightly massive, yet can still fit in the tight parking lots of Dubai. The 17-inch ground clearance is an indication that you can handle anything between speed bumps in old Dubai and dune bashing appropriately in the Empty Quarter.

Front End

Things are actually weird on the front. No conventional grille since it does not require it - just this smooth, angular face with a full-width LED light bar that runs across the entire width. The LED headlights are also incorporated into the body panels and this futuristic appearance is particularly impressive on the Dubai roads which are well lit at night. In sandstorms, such a light bar is very visible.

Side Profile

It is all about laser-cut flat panels and sharp angles on the side view. The flush door handles also pop out as you approach (fancy!), and the power-folding mirrors are necessary to get through tight spots at Mall of the Emirates. The 20-inch Cyber Wheels with all-terrain tires are the most perfect and can be used both in the Sheikh Zayed road cruising and exploring the desert.

Rear Design

The full-width LED tail light is also unmistakable around back, as you can see a Cybertruck kilometers away on Emirates Road. The tonneau cover is a power-retractable cover that is bulletproof (literally) and powerful enough to stand on, which is convenient when loading camping gear during Hatta weekends.

How Quick Is This Thing?

The AWD dual-motor configuration is rightfully mad. 600 horsepower and instantaneous delivery of torque ensures that this 3,113 kg truck is a rocket ship. The 0-100km/h time of 2.7 seconds is not only fast in a truck, it destroys most sports cars.

I tried it on the back straight of Dubai Autodrome and the acceleration is so breath-taking. Electric motors offer instant torque - you consider accelerating and it does it.

On-Road Practical Knowledge

You do not really need all that power in the daily traffic of Dubai, but it is comforting when you have to merge or pass on the highway of the Emirates Road. The various drive modes customize the experience - Standard mode is a luxury sedan, whereas the Off-Road mode opens up the ability to adventure in the desert.

Rear-wheel steering and the steer-by-wire system are brilliant in the city. As the front wheels rotate in one direction, the rear wheels rotate in the opposite direction giving the surprisingly tight turning radius of such a huge vehicle. This is priceless when maneuvering through small Gold Souk lanes or a tight parking spot.

Off-Road Capabilities

The air suspension is adjustable with a ground clearance of 406 mm in Extract mode in serious off-road use. I have gone dune bashing in the Rub al Khali and it manages to go over sand despite its weight. The 35-degree approach angle and 28-degree departure angle imply that it addresses the challenges that would halt the traditional trucks.

Range & Efficiency in UAE Climate

It has been an educational experience living with Cybertruck in the extreme climate of UAE. Tesla states a range of 515 km, however, when driving in the UAE (AC on all the time) I have a range of 420-450 km per charge.

In spirited driving (a lot of acceleration tests to my friends), I had recorded a 350-380 km range. Conservative driving is efficiency oriented and I was able to get to around 470-500 km, which is impressive in such a performance car.

The productivity in terms of performance is incredible. This object kills supercars in straight lines with a decent energy consumption. The aerodynamic design (although angular-looking), the regenerative braking, and the thermal management are effective in the Emirates conditions.

Charging: Improving Infrastructure

The charging infrastructure has been enhanced. The Tesla Supercharger network is growing - I have charged at the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Hills Mall and highway stations between emirates.

The Cybertruck supports up to 250 kW of charge, that is, 10-80% charge in approximately 30-35 minutes. My 11.5kW wallbox charged in 8-10 hours at home - I charge every night and get up to a full battery.

The Tesla application displays the live availability and prices of chargers. Supercharging is priced at AED 1.40 per kWh, much lower than filling similar petrol trucks. It is further cost effective in home electricity charges.

Engine & Performance Specifications

That 18.5-inch touchscreen takes up the bulk of the interior and the landscape format is far more logical than the old portrait format used by Tesla. The screen can be tilted to the driver or the passenger wherever needed - another clever feature that enhances the user experience.

The touchscreen has the drive selector built in - swipe to drive, swipe to reverse, tap to park. It was strange at first, and soon turned into a second nature. There is a backup touch bar underneath the wireless chargers.

The absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is one of the annoying features. The native system in Tesla is all-encompassing, yet when you are accustomed to a well-integrated phone, this drawback is noticeable in comparison with other luxury cars.

The audio system has 15 speakers (including 2 dedicated subwoofers and distributed amplifiers), and is simply insane - each drive turns into a concert. The system is automatically adjusted in accordance with occupancy and window status. It is unbelievable to drive along the streets of Downtown Dubai with open windows.

The Tesla app is exceptional in the UAE. It is important to pre-condition the cabin before entering it in summer, and it is even better to control all the things with your phone, which will make the ownership much easier. Everything We Know about Tesla Cybertruck. 

The UAE market will receive two variants of Cybertrucks:

Long Range RWD (AED 335,000 estimated): 1 motor, 570 km range, 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds. The least expensive way to own a Cybertruck, which is ideal when you do not need the highest performance.

AWD ( AED 380,000): Two-motor system, 600hp, 523km range, 0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds, 4,985 kg towing capacity. The performance variant that balances power, capability and features.

Both models have standard Autopilot, 18.5-inch touchscreen, and 15-speaker audio system.

ZigWheels Recommends: The AWD variant is the sweet spot in the case of UAE buyers. You have a lot of performance, great range, huge towing capacity and all the technology features. The additional price compared to RWD is compensated by the vast improvement in capability, particularly those who will be using it in their day to day activities as well as on weekends.

Cybertruck is completely insane, and I say that in the most positive sense of the word. It is not flawless - the polarizing design makes it certainly not the one to be used by everyone, the minimalist interior may be irritating, and the price makes it enter the luxury category.

The driving experience is truly unique. It whispers quietly, stupidly fast when needed and surprisingly practical to UAE life. The technology is good, the charging infrastructure is sufficient, and is getting better, and the car actually gets better with over-the-air updates.

The built quality  has been good - no serious problems, just minor software bugs that were fixed with updates. It can carry out city commuting as well as desert adventure with the same ability.

It has been an adventure to live with Cybertruck in the UAE. It is not a logical buy, it is emotional. You purchase this since you desire something new, something that makes a statement, something that feels like the future.

The Cybertruck is the answer to UAE consumers who desire the latest technology, amazing performance, and do not mind controversial design. It has made each trip to the drive-through more exciting and made even boring trips to the grocery store a little adventure.

The Cybertruck is not a pickup, it is a declaration, a conversation piece and a peek into the future of automotive technology. Tesla has finally produced something really groundbreaking and now we can experience it here in the UAE.

The Cybertruck is something different, whether you are a professional who is serious and needs serious capability, an adventurer who wants to have a weekend adventure or a tech enthusiast who wants to have the latest innovation. It is just that you are ready to have the attention of driving the future.