Tesla has launched the most affordable version of its Cybertruck on Thursday, with a starting price of $59,990.
The model features a dual motor configuration and an All-Wheel Drive powertrain — the same as the $79,990 version, which is now called ‘Premium AWD’ — and a similar EPA estimated range of 325 miles.
Hours after the debut, however, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk wrote on X that the new trim will be available “only for the next 10 days.”
Musk did not reveal at what price the variant will be available after March 2.
Differences Between Trims
The price of the new, entry-level variant is $10,000 below the prior Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) trim, which was priced at $69,990 before incentives.
The variant was available for about six months before being discontinued last September.
Similar to what Tesla has done with the ‘Standard’ versions of the Model Y and Model 3 launched late last year — and since then renamed to ‘Rear Wheel Drive’ instead — the key distinctions are in the interior.
The entry-level Cybertruck AWD features a grey textile interior instead of the vegan leather offered with the Premium trim and the high-end Cyberbeast.
It also features a simplified center console, and a reduced speaker system with half the number of speakers.
Features available in both the front and second rows of the Premium versions — such as heated and ventilated seats and a rear-seat display — are not included in the standard model.
These features have also been removed from the best-selling models in their lower-priced versions.
Pricing Criticism
The Cybertruck was unveiled in 2019 and its first deliveries took place in late 2023.
Upon revealing the model, Tesla said the entry-level variant would begin at $39,990.
Musk also promoted a tri-motor version of the Tesla Cybertruck that he said would deliver “up to” 500+ miles of range on a full charge.
However, when the Cybertruck entered production, the pricing and specifications were different from those early projections.
The truck initially launched at a price above $70,000 for the entry-level model, only falling below that mark after Tesla introduced lower-cost versions.
Tesla shareholder Sawyer Merritt wrote on X this Friday that “the $50k dual-motor AWD 300-mile Cybertruck trim unveiled in 2019 is equivalent to $63k today with inflation, so this new $60k 325-mile dual-motor AWD trim is a good value,” the CEO just replied “Yes.”
Indirectly addressing the price criticism on the Cybertruck, Musk quoted the post, saying “Yes.”
Other Expectations
The tri-motor iteration, branded as the ‘Cyberbeast,’ delivers an estimated 320 miles of range — just 5 miles below the dual-motor versions, but nearly 200 miles down from the company’s expectations.
Both the pricing and range differences were also criticized by tech reviewer and YouTuber MKBHD, who revealed this week that Tesla cut him off after he sold his Cybertruck.
When the model debuted, Musk also projected an annual production rate of 250,000 units “probably sometime in 2025.”
However, only 20,237 Cybertrucks were sold in the US last year — representing 8.1% of that target and an year over year decline of 48%.
Tesla said in its latest earnings call that it will be transitioning the Cybertruck line to a fully autonomous one, aiming to target delivery fleet consumers as well.
Trump Praises Cybertruck Design
Nearly a year ago, Elon Musk brought a Cybertruck build to the White House, while serving in his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
US President Donald Trump called it “the coolest design.”
“Who else but this guy would design this?,” the President said, adding, “And everybody on the road is looking at it. It’s amazing, actually.”
The comments were made just three months after a Cybertruck exploded outside the main entrance to Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas, due to an improvised explosive device parked outside the main entrance.
The incident occurred before a broader wave of protests and vandalism targeting Tesla, much of it driven by backlash to Elon Musk’s political activity in early 2025 — which weighed on the company’s brand perception during those months.
