Tesla’s Cybertruck Deal

The Cybertruck

For those keeping an eye on Tesla’s Cybertruck features, it’s a bit of a roller coaster ride. Initially, Tesla promised a slew of high-tech features for the Cybertruck, but as things have unfolded, it seems some promised elements are missing or have strings attached. One major hook for buyers was the expectation of advanced driver-assist features like Autosteer, essentially Tesla’s lane-centering feature. However, this isn’t available with the basic Autopilot system as many expected.

Many were hoping that for a vehicle starting at around $40,000, lane-centering would be included. But as it stands, without opting for the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, which costs an additional $8,000, buyers won’t have access to Autosteer. Even more confusing, Tesla is offering a 1-year free trial of its FSD system to Cybertruck buyers, likely hoping to hook users into upgrading permanently.

Free Trial

Offering a year’s free trial of the FSD package seems like a safe bet for Tesla. It allows owners to taste the premium driving features, which include, of course, Autosteer. But for those who decide against purchasing the FSD package post-trial, they’ll find themselves back to square one with the standard Autopilot, which lacks some of the expected capabilities like lane-centering.

Driving Experience

The driving experience of the Tesla Cybertruck, even without the FSD package, is still quite a revelation in terms of electric performance. The sheer power under the hood, combined with an engineered balance that Tesla has become known for, makes it a wild ride. Compared to other EVs and traditional trucks, it offers unparalleled acceleration and a feel that’s more futuristic than what you’d expect in your typical pickup truck.

However, the absence of features like Autosteer, without additional payments, means the experience is lacking compared to the full-electric promise Tesla originally seemed to offer. Such capabilities are often expected in vehicles within the Cybertruck’s price range, making the additional cost for features feel a bit like a bait-and-switch to some owners.

For those still contemplating jumping onto the Cybertruck bandwagon, Tesla’s decision to limit some of these key features might feel discouraging. If anything, it serves as a reminder that while electric vehicles bring a lot of new frontiers, there’s still a lot of territory where traditional expectations persist, especially when it comes to what should be standard vs. optional.