FYI: Edmunds finally got their hands on a Tesla Cybertruck after a four-year wait. While it impressed in some testing stages, it experienced significant reliability issues.
Tesla Cybertruck Faces Mixed Results in Edmunds’ Long-Awaited Testing
Edmunds, a respected name in car shopping and reviews, has finally acquired the highly anticipated Tesla Cybertruck after a grueling four-year wait. Following this acquisition, they carried out their standardized range, performance, and efficiency tests, delivering a mix of impressive figures and unfortunate breakdowns.
Performance Under the Microscope
When it was running correctly, the Cybertruck exhibited impressive performance metrics. During acceleration tests, the dual-motor Cybertruck Foundation Series accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds, a slight improvement over Tesla’s own estimate of 4.1 seconds. The truck also completed the quarter-mile sprint in 12.3 seconds, achieving a speed of 110.2 mph. This is quite notable, especially considering its hefty weight of over 6,600 pounds, making it comparable to the Ford F-150 Lightning, which weighs in at 6,361 pounds.
Range Exceeds Expectations
In the combined city and highway range test, the Cybertruck managed to cover 334 miles on a single charge, which is a slight but significant improvement over Tesla’s advertised 318-mile range. However, it’s essential to note that driving range can fluctuate based on factors such as weather conditions, driving style, and road conditions.
Breakdowns and Red Flags
Despite these positive notes, the Cybertruck encountered severe reliability issues toward the end of Edmunds’ testing process. The truck’s screen suddenly flashed red, notifying a "loss of system redundancy" and warning that the vehicle might lose power, steering, and propulsion. Instructions on the screen advised performing a vehicle power cycle, which involved exiting and re-entering the vehicle to reset the system. Unfortunately, this did not resolve the issues at hand.
Senior Reviews Editor Brian Wong, who was conducting the tests, observed several warnings, including messages about rear steering failure, a low-voltage battery warning, and reduced power and speed. After an hour of troubleshooting, the vehicle entered a limp mode, moving at a sluggish 4 mph. Eventually, the Cybertruck resumed normal operation, allowing Wong to cautiously drive it back home.
Service and Diagnosis
The earliest available service appointment was two weeks away. When describing the issues, the service representative suggested that the problems could arise from either the front wiring harness, the 48-volt battery, or the rear steering system. This incident is not isolated, as previous Cybertruck owners have reported similar issues, including drive unit failures and malfunctioning components like windshield wipers.
A Pattern of Early Production Issues
Historically, Tesla has faced quality and reliability issues with early versions of its vehicles, such as the Model 3 and Model Y. While Tesla eventually rectified these problems, the market landscape is different now. With increasing competition and controversies surrounding CEO Elon Musk, buyers are more cautious. For Tesla to maintain its leadership in the EV market, addressing the Cybertruck’s reliability issues is crucial.
Conclusion
While the Tesla Cybertruck has shown that it can excel in terms of performance and range, its reliability remains a concern. For Tesla to continue leading the electric vehicle revolution, it must resolve these critical issues. Stay tuned as more updates unfold.
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By William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
