After extensive testing of a 2025 Tesla Cybertruck, an owner reveals its surprising quietness, improved interior, and efficiency that challenges all expectations.
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A little over a year ago, the Tesla Cybertruck rolled off the line like a war machine fresh from the back lot of a sci-fi epic. It looked more like a prototype sneaked out of a Skunk Works hangar than a product headed for Home Depot runs and ski weekends. Critics and skeptics alike were sharpening their knives, some claiming it would never arrive, others insisting it would fail to meet even the most basic expectations of a pickup. And yet, here we are: the truck is not only real, it's proving more efficient than many thought possible, and maybe even smarter than we gave it credit for.
One such voice is Beetlebug62, a Cybertruck Owners Club member and retired Mainer who’s no stranger to electric vehicles.
“... so my point of reference is a 2018 Model 3 LR-AWD. I've driven that for 80,000 miles. And, now, after 2 months of owning a 2025 Cybertruck dual-motor, besides being quieter with softer surfaces inside, the most surprising thing has been the overall energy efficiency.
I was expecting it to be 50% less efficient. The battery is >50% larger, 123kWh vs 79kWh. The rated efficiency of 377Wh/mi is also >50% higher. The weight is >50% more. In some ways, it was nice because the math would be easy. Driving to my usual places would take about the same amount of SOC, since the EPA-rated range was similar, 310 mi vs 324 mi. Instead of making 13mins stops to charge, I'd be making 20mins stops. That sort of thing. Easy math.
Instead, I've found the CT to be more efficient than expected. Here's an example. I've driven the CT on my normal daily commute for 6 days. The weather is pretty optimal, barely requiring any heat or cooling. In my Model 3, I'd expect an efficiency of 225Wh/mi. For the week, I got 304Wh/mi in my CT. That's only 35% less efficient. Yes, I'm driving on country backroads, going about 45-55mph. But, that shouldn't matter, as I'm comparing it to my Model 3 on the same roads, driving the same speeds, facing the same temps.
Tesla Cybertruck. After 2 months, my biggest surprise has been efficiency... dual-motor with core wheels
Here's another example of me driving home from skiing. In my CT, I drove ~73 mi, and used about 18.4% SOC, just for the driving.
Tesla Cybertruck. After 2 months, my biggest surprise has been efficiency... dual-motor with core wheels
And, in my Model 3, I drove a little further, 75 mi, and used 25% SOC. Ignore the heat used, and only look at the driving SOC usage.
Tesla Cybertruck After 2 months, my biggest surprise has been efficiency... dual-motor with core wheels. The 3 predicts 22% SOC, while the CT predicts 20% SOC used. I actually used 18.4% for the CT, and the 3 used 25%. Not what I was expecting. The time of driving and thus the speed were almost identical. I do this drive 25-50x a season, so the speed is almost always the same.
Maybe, at moderate 45-60mph speeds, the CT is more efficient than expected? Anyhow, I've been pleasantly surprised.
Edit: June 13th, so I drove my Model 3 for a week. And, the last 100 miles, the efficiency with no climate usage was ~230Wh/mi. Not far off what I predicted at the start of this post, of 225Wh/mi. Tesla Cybertruck After 2 months, my biggest surprise has been efficiency... dual-motor with core wheels IMG_1215.JPG
But only 25% better than what my truck is showing: Tesla Cybertruck. After 2 months, my biggest surprise has been efficiency... dual-motor with core wheels. Just so surprised by the efficiency.”
That math may sound dry on the surface, but in context, it’s shocking.
Aerodynamics Comparison: Cybertruck vs. Model 3 Drag Analysis
- The Cybertruck's angular design yields a high Cd around 0.38–0.39 in independent wind-tunnel and simulation tests, whereas the Model 3 benefits from sleek sedan styling and achieves an impressive Cd of approximately 0.219
- Even if the Cybertruck’s Cd were on par with trucks like the Silverado, its much larger frontal area multiplies its aerodynamic drag. Model 3's small form factor contributes to significantly lower air resistance.
- Sharp edges and flat surfaces on the Cybertruck may form a more turbulent wake despite diffuser efforts; the Model 3 uses rounded body panels and optimized underbody airflow to reduce drag
- Cybertruck mirrors can notably increase drag (e.g., Cd up to ~0.53 with off-road trim), while the Model 3's clean lines and enclosed rims help it stay close to its low-wind-tunnel Cd in real-world driving
People expected the Cybertruck to guzzle electricity like a V8 on a mountain pass. With a battery that’s over 50% larger, curb weight pushing past 6,800 pounds, and a higher rated energy consumption figure of 377Wh/mi, the logical conclusion was simple: the truck would be a beast at the plug. Instead, the Cybertruck is proving to be a disciplined long-hauler, especially in the sweet spot of 45–60 mph. His side-by-side ski trip comparisons show the CT using less state-of-charge than his old Model 3, 18.4% vs. 25%, despite its size. “Not what I was expecting,” he admits, and he’s not alone.
Community Echoes: Cybertruck Efficiency Rivals Model 3
Others echoed the same sentiment. Sace, another member from Boston, wrote, “I too went from a 2019 M3 (Standard Range Plus) and was surprised with the efficiency... My experience has been about the same as my Model 3.”
That alone speaks volumes. When owners of compact sedans start saying their angular, stainless-steel truck isn’t far off in efficiency, you have to start questioning the old logic. Is it possible that Tesla’s wind-tunnel-defiant wedge actually has the chops to redefine the electric truck class?
Data-Driven Efficiency: Real-World Cybertruck Wh/mi Performance
Data doesn’t lie, and the screenshots tell the story. One trip shows an average of 289.5 Wh/mi over 100 miles, 87 Wh/mi less than rated. Another shows 250.5 Wh/mi over 72.6 miles of mixed terrain. And in colder temps, where EVs typically suffer, the Cybertruck still held strong. Several users highlighted elevation-based efficiency gains. One trip report credited downhill regeneration with saving over 10% in SOC, proof that Tesla’s drivetrain and energy recovery systems aren’t just theoretical benefits, but practical ones in daily use.
Efficiency by the Numbers: Energy Use & Weight Impact in Cybertruck vs. Model 3
- The Model 3 Long Range achieves roughly 23 kWh/100 mi (~4.3 mi/kWh), compared to the Cybertruck's much higher ~38 kWh/100 mi (~2.6 mi/kWh) due to its weight and shape
- Though the Cybertruck holds around 123 kWh usable and EPA range ~320 mi, it still uses significantly more energy per mile than the ~78 kWh pack in the Model 3 Long Range for comparable range
- The Model 3 Long Range weighs about 3,800 lb, nearly half the weight of the Cybertruck (~6,800 lb), contributing to its better rolling and acceleration efficiency under normal driving
- In everyday conditions, the Model 3 consumes roughly 275 Wh/mi while the Cybertruck is closer to 450 Wh/mi, around a 60% efficiency gap
It’s tempting to say the Cybertruck is an exception. But increasingly, it seems more like a sign of what’s possible.
It hasn’t just arrived, it’s outperforming expectations. These aren’t cherry-picked influencers paid in Instagram likes; they’re engineers, retirees, and early adopters who know the quirks of Tesla’s older models and came in with cautious optimism. They expected a spectacle and got a scalpel, silent, sharp, and more efficient than anyone expected.
The big takeaway here isn’t that the Cybertruck is efficient “for a truck.” It’s efficient. Owners who planned for 20-minute charging stops instead of 13 are now finding the difference negligible. In some cases, it’s outperforming EPA estimates. If the early reports are any indication, the Cybertruck isn’t just a competent EV, it may be redefining the ceiling of what we can expect from electric utility vehicles in real-world conditions.
So here’s where we land: the Tesla Cybertruck isn’t vaporware, it isn’t a meme anymore, and it definitely isn’t an energy hog. It's a rolling contradiction that works. It defies its own silhouette and offers up real-world results that demand a second look.
Image Sources: Tesla Newsroom
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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