Cybertruck Owners: Does It Ever Feel Like The Space In The Cab Is a Waste, Considering The Extra Expense of Owning a Cybertruck Over a Model Y?

There is a specific kind of question that only comes from people who are actually thinking deeply before spending serious money. It is not flashy. It is not tribal. It is the kind of question that shows up when someone has already owned a Tesla, understands the ecosystem, and now wonders whether the next step is logical or emotional or maybe both. That is exactly why a recent discussion inside the Tesla Cybertruck Enthusiasts Facebook group stopped me mid scroll. It was not about range anxiety or stainless steel fingerprints. It was about space, value, family life, and whether buying more vehicle than you currently need is smart or simply indulgent. And the answers that followed were far more revealing than I expected.

Nicholas J. Nicastro kicked off a discussion that immediately struck a nerve with owners who have lived with both vehicles. Nicholas wrote, "Cybertruck owners: does it ever feel like the space in the cab is a waste, considering the extra expense of owning a Cybertruck over a Model Y? Currently on the fence between getting two new Model Ys with our FSD transfer or one new Model Y and one new Cybertruck. We don’t ever really do any hauling or have the need for a truck bed and we have never owned a truck before. However, we could use the space in the back for traveling and I’m sure it might help with the kids as they get older and play more sports? Also, we like the idea of more interior space, and we love steer by wire!"

That question alone explains why this debate refuses to die. It is not about whether the Cybertruck is capable. It is about whether that capability translates into everyday value for people who live normal lives with kids, road trips, groceries, and schedules that change faster than expected.

Tesla Cybertruck vs Model Y interior space for real families

Once owners started replying, a pattern emerged that deserves attention. Ed Miles offered one of the most decisive responses I have seen from a dual owner. He said, We had a 2024 Model Y and 2025 Cybertruck AWD. Once we got the Cybertruck, we never ever drove the Model Y again. Everything about it is better by a wide margin. We gave the Y away to my daughter. That is not a casual statement. That is a declaration that something fundamental about the driving and living experience shifted.

I have seen this same sentiment repeated in multiple owner stories, including one where a longtime Model Y driver admitted that after spending time in the Cybertruck, the Model Y suddenly felt small and compromised in ways he never noticed before.

The key takeaway is not that the Model Y suddenly becomes bad. It is that perception changes once you live with more room, more height, and a cabin that feels less compressed during long drives.

Is the Cybertruck too big if you do not need a truck bed

This is one of the most searched questions surrounding the Cybertruck, and the answers from owners are surprisingly consistent. Richard Tucker framed it from a practical family angle when he said, No buy the Cybertruck. It is 100 percent the best vehicle I have ever owned. I use it as a truck but also a family car. Tons of room for whatever you want. I have a cooler that plugs in the bed and Starlink. Spacious back seat for adults or kids. It is just the best.

What stands out here is that he does not describe the space as idle. He describes it as flexible. That flexibility is what many buyers underestimate. Even if you never haul plywood, the covered bed becomes a massive weather protected cargo area. With the tonneau closed, the Cybertruck behaves far more like a large SUV than a traditional pickup.

Judkins felt this firsthand when he drove the Model Y and compared it with the unlikely competitor Cybertruck and was genuinely surprised by how differently the space changes your mindset behind the wheel.

Steer by wire and daily driving comfort in the Cybertruck

Another major concern people raise is whether the Cybertruck feels cumbersome in daily use. Owners consistently point to steer by wire and rear steering as the quiet heroes of the experience. Jeremy M. Goodman summed it up perfectly by saying, Steer by wire with four wheel steering is tough to beat. That system fundamentally alters how the truck behaves in parking lots, neighborhoods, and tight turns.

In one of our earlier stories by Aram Krajekian, Brandon had similar expectations going in and walked away surprised after driving the Cybertruck for a full day. Despite its size, the steering made it feel playful and controllable in a way he did not anticipate, something he broke down after realizing the Cybertruck felt far more nimble than it looks.

This is where many shoppers get stuck thinking in dimensions instead of dynamics. The Cybertruck drives smaller than it appears, and that changes how its interior space is perceived.

One Model Y and one Cybertruck or two identical vehicles

Not every thoughtful response pushed people toward owning only the Cybertruck. Harvey Payne offered one of the most balanced perspectives in the entire discussion. He said, I like to own two different vehicles to increase my functional coverage. I would never own two Model Ys or two Cybertrucks. Preferably the features of one would cover the shortcomings of the other. So my vote in this scenario is one of each.

This approach resonates with families who want redundancy without overlap. One vehicle optimized for efficiency and ease. One vehicle optimized for space and versatility. That strategy also shows up among Tesla fans torn between the Cybertruck and the Model X, as discussed here.

There is a quiet wisdom in not putting all your mobility eggs in one basket.

The attention factor and living with the Cybertruck

One reply stood out because it challenged the hype honestly. Ted Cox shared his experience saying, I had a CT for a year and needed a truck. Just traded it in for a MYP. I liked most everything about the truck but the attention both kinds. Now I am invisible and could not be happier. The truck is great, but hard to go anywhere when you are the only one in town.

This is an important reminder. The Cybertruck changes how the world interacts with you. Some people enjoy that. Others find it draining. That cost never appears on a spec sheet, yet it can influence long term satisfaction.

Still, many owners say the attention fades into background noise. Shawn LaBelle made that clear when he said, I own two Cybertrucks and a Model X. I love the Model X, but the fact that I have two Cybertrucks should make the answer obvious. It is the best vehicle I have ever driven, not just owned.

Cybertruck interior size versus what photos suggest

Another misconception that keeps buyers hesitant is how large the Cybertruck feels inside compared to how it photographs. Several owners mention that the cockpit view and upright seating position dramatically change the sense of space. This is not something you can understand from renders or dimensions alone. That difference is clearly explained in this breakdown of how much larger the Cybertruck feels inside compared to expectations.

That interior perception matters on long trips, with kids in the back, or when the vehicle becomes part of daily routines instead of a weekend toy.

From doubt to decision and the wrap debate

After absorbing the feedback, Nicholas returned with a message that quietly closed the loop and opened a new phase. He wrote, "I appreciate all of the thoughtful feedback and how so many of you have taken your time to comment! I’m sold on the Tesla Cybertruck, now researching color change options as my wife and I both agree that we want it in satin black. Curious if anybody has any thoughts on Pure PPF versus a standard vinyl wrap? Looks like Pure PPF is going to be about twice this cost and I’m simply not sure if it’s worth it considering the stainless steel exoskeleton?"

That shift says everything. The conversation moved from doubt to ownership planning. The wrap question itself reflects how Cybertruck buyers think long term. PPF aligns with durability and protection. Vinyl aligns with flexibility and cost. Both approaches make sense depending on whether the truck is viewed as a long term tool or a design experiment.

The bigger lesson for Tesla shoppers

The moral here is simple but powerful. Buying a vehicle based only on current needs can quietly limit future flexibility. At the same time, buying purely for image can lead to dissatisfaction. Nicholas did what many shoppers skip. He asked real owners. He listened. And he adjusted his thinking based on lived experience rather than assumptions.

So now I want to hear from you. If you have owned or driven both the Tesla Model Y and the 2025 Tesla Cybertruck, did the extra interior space feel excessive or did it become useful in ways you did not expect? And if you were deciding today between two Model Ys or one Model Y and one Cybertruck, what would you choose and why? Share your opinion and your personal experience in the comments section below and join the discussion.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.