Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says, “I Never Imagined the Hate People Have For the Cybertruck Would Be This Intense, In My Model Y, I Went Completely Unnoticed”

A Tesla Cybertruck owner says the "hate" for the futuristic truck goes beyond anything he ever imagined. 

Gabriel Mesias on the Tesla Cybertruck Owners Facebook page says, 

"I'm genuinely curious, have any of you felt the hate people seem to have for the Cybertruck?"

"I honestly never imagined it would be this intense. I used to drive a Model Y, and it went completely unnoticed. But with the Cybertruck, it's a whole different story. I can really feel the hate sometimes, with people making rude gestures or shouting insults."

"It gets tough sometimes, especially when I'm with my family and my kids ask what's going on. I'm not complaining. I still love the truck, but I'm wondering if others have had similar experiences."

The Cybertruck Cultural Storm

The core of Gabriel's dilemma highlights the difference between owning a standard high-performance EV and being a pioneer of a true paradigm shift in design. 

He points out the near invisibility of his Model Y experience compared to the intense spotlight on the Cybertruck. What is the root cause of this aggressive reaction?

The Model Y is a successful, mainstream electric SUV, and it's now part of the automotive landscape. The Cybertruck, by contrast, is a wedge of stainless steel that looks like it drove straight out of a 1980s sci-fi film. It forces engagement, whether positive or negative. The intense public reaction that Gabriel is experiencing is not uncommon, and I see three reasons why.

The Design Is Extreme

Many observers still ask, Why are people so hostile towards the Tesla Cybertruck design? The hostility is a response to disruption. For over a century, trucks have adhered to a specific, familiar design language. The Cybertruck blows up that norm. Its form is angular, often compared to a dumpster.

Not everyone is ready for change that goes against the norm. For some, the Cybertruck is a piece of automotive innovation. For others, it rejects everything they believe a truck should be. The aggressive shape and size compound this feeling, making it an easy target for those seeking an outlet for their road frustration.

The Lightning Rod Effect

The Cybertruck has become the target of Tesla's polarizing CEO (Elon Musk) and brand. The question is: Is the Tesla Cybertruck a lightning rod for a bigger resentment in EV culture? The answer is yes.

For those who resent the shift to EVs, who feel traditional trucking culture is being challenged, or who harbor anti-Musk sentiment, the Cybertruck is an easy target onto which they can project their frustrations.

A report from Business Insider says, "What's heartbreaking, though, is the way many adults respond. I've been flipped off, mean-mugged, and given many thumbs down. I've also experienced being shouted at in traffic and others aggressively merging in front of me."

How Should Cybertruck Owners Respond?

This vehicle raises the question: how should CT owners handle adverse reactions when driving a stainless steel electric truck? It's important to know that people aren't reacting to you; they are reacting to the sheer audacity of the machine.

Solutions and Practical Takeaways

Gabriel's biggest challenge isn't the hater; it's protecting his family from that hostility. Here is my practical advice for coping strategies for Cybertruck owners dealing with road rage and insults:

• Do Not Engage (The Rule of Zero): The hate you encounter is transactional. The person shouting or gesturing is looking for a reaction—they want to establish dominance. Deny them that satisfaction. Maintain the Rule of Zero: zero eye contact, zero gestures back, and zero change in your driving style.
• Leverage Sentry Mode: If harassment or vandalism occurs, Sentry Mode is your greatest ally. Make it known that the vehicle is recording. Sometimes, simply pointing at the dashcam will de-escalate a confrontation.
• Use it as a teachable lesson: When your kids ask what's going on, reframe the hate as a feature of being a pioneer. Explain that the truck is so new and so different that some people get confused or angry simply because they don't understand it.
• Focus on the positive attention—the kids pointing, the people taking pictures—which is almost universally more common than the hostility. Understanding the social backlash against Tesla Cybertruck owners means explaining to children that this is about the vehicle's fame, not the family's worth.
• You are an Ambassador: When parked and approached by genuinely curious people, use it as a moment to be an ambassador for the vehicle's technology and capability, not the politics. But on the road, your priority is peace and safety.

This Too Shall Pass

As production ramps up and the Cybertruck becomes a more common sight, the novelty will wear off and the insults will diminish. For now, you are the owner of a vehicle that is a lightning rod. Drive safely and keep the focus on the joy the innovative truck brings to you and your family.

Question For Cybertruck Owners

My question to Cybertruck owners reading this is this: Beyond the immediate stress of dealing with insults, how has owning and driving the Cybertruck fundamentally changed the way you view the role of a vehicle in modern public identity and cultural debate? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says, “It’s a Futuristic Chrome-Plated Dumpster Designed On an Apple II By a Stoned Elon Musk, But Requires Less Maintenance Than a Goldfish”

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram

Photo credit: Denis Flierl