I’m Blown Away by The Hate That The Tesla Cybertruck Still Gets, My Truck Is Amazing But I Get Flipped Off Daily for Driving It

There’s something oddly polarizing about the Tesla Cybertruck. It doesn’t just turn heads but also drives assumptions in some people, and that could be a problem. While some see it as a bold step into the future, others react with anger, confusion, or even hostility. It’s one thing to disagree over looks or specs, but it’s another to get so emotionally charged by the sight of a vehicle that you feel the need to lash out.

While browsing through the “Cybertruck Owners Only” Facebook group earlier today, I came across a post that perfectly captured this tension. DareRick Krufchinski, a Cybertruck owner, had just shared an uncalled-for encounter. It began as a typical drive turned into a full-on display of road rage that felt less like random anger and more like targeted harassment.

In Rick’s own words: “I am blown away by the amount of hate these amazing vehicles still get. I get flipped off 4-6x a day. Today a crazy lady in a Subaru chased me down, tailgated me flipping me off the whole time, then passed me on a double yellow yelling out the window. Crazy!”

It’s not like Rick was flying down the highway or cutting people off. He was just driving. But for some people, that’s enough. Driving a Tesla Cybertruck is a vehicle that practically wears its icon status on its sleeve, so it's disappointing that can now make you a rolling target. And that might sound dramatic, but we've been seeing more of this pop up in recent times.

The Stories Behind the Comments

Take Rebecca Biggs, who commented under Rick’s post with her own story. “We get the bird all the time. Also, I came out from dinner at a restaurant to find BBQ sauce smeared all over the windshield. Two days ago my husband had someone cut in front of him so fast and brake check him, then cut him off again when he tried to get away from the person. Location: Ohio. Columbus and surrounding areas.”

That's just targeted vandalism at this point. And that kind of hostility isn’t just about EVs anymore. It’s about what some people think these vehicles represent.

Another commenter, Steve Haag, shared his coping mechanism: “Same here, I’ve learned to zone out oncoming traffic. All they want is a reaction.” Steve's insight hits deeper than most realize. For many Cybertruck drivers, the act of getting behind the wheel includes not just route planning and charging stops, but also a bit of emotional armor. You learn to ignore the stares, the gestures, the passive-aggressive lane merges.

Still, there’s some balance to the madness. Gennadiy Supikhanov chimed in with a bit of optimism from north of the border: “Got like 3 thumbs up and many good words today in Vancouver BC. So it’s changing, speed depending on the area.”

From Design Shock to Real-World Capability

And Gennadiy has a point. In certain areas, the Cybertruck tends to spark more curiosity than hostility. The reactions may differ depending on the region, traffic culture, and how often people have actually seen a Cybertruck up close. In cities where it’s still rare or heavily politicized, it can cause some trouble. In areas like Silicon Valley or Vancouver, it could start to blend in.

But why all the hate in the first place? Is it the design? The company? The cultural baggage?

Part of the pushback seems to stem from the truck's unapologetic aesthetic. With its angular, stainless-steel body and brutalist silhouette, the Cybertruck looks like something straight out of a sci-fi film. And to some people, that's cool. But to others, it's offensive. It could sound like a threat to conventional car design. 

Some of the backlash may also stem from misconceptions about what the truck is even capable of. But time and time again, Cybertruck owners are proving it’s not just some flashy toy. In fact, one owner recently went viral explaining how their Cybertruck effortlessly hauled a load. You can read the full breakdown of that haul in this article about how the Tesla Cybertruck handled 2700 lbs in the bed and 400 more in the frunk.

The Politics, the Public, and the Pushback

There’s also a political edge that attaches itself to the vehicle, something I'm sure most of us wish wasn’t the case. Even potential buyers have expressed hesitation about whether public attitudes have "cooled off enough" to drive one without being labeled or judged. That’s a wild situation for any vehicle to find itself in. 

And it’s especially disheartening because under all the controversy is a genuinely impressive machine. For some drivers, it’s even more than that. In one especially touching moment, a grandson recently shared that his 87-year-old grandfather’s final drive was in a Tesla Cybertruck, calling it the most amazing ride of his life. Those are the kind of emotions that the Cybertruck brings to many. And yet, even with stories like that floating around, there are people out there who will tailgate, scream, or smear sauce on a windshield simply because they don’t like what you’re driving.

As a writer, I’ve been watching this whole Cybertruck phenomenon unfold since the prototype first shocked the world onstage in 2019. I think some of the backlash comes from the fear of change, and Tesla represents change at full volume. But this is what progress often looks like: uncomfortable, misunderstood, and even unwelcome at first. The Cybertruck isn’t here to blend in, and I don't think it was ever meant to. It’s a vehicle that challenges what a truck can be, and naturally, that comes with friction. But I also think the drivers willing to take that heat are helping push the industry forward. Not because of Elon or status or anything like that, but because they believe in the future of transportation.

What This Story Teaches Us

1. Hate on the road doesn’t always come from logic – Many times, driving a vehicle that challenges norms is enough to trigger unexpected reactions. Don’t take it personally but stay alert.
2. The Cybertruck is not a gimmick – From towing to hauling and even day-to-day usability, owners are consistently proving this truck is more than capable. Stories where drivers call it the best vehicle ever made are becoming increasingly common.
3. Positive reactions exist too – For every driver giving you the finger, there's another giving a thumbs up. Like Gennadiy said, it really depends on the area.
4. You don’t have to love the design to respect the mission – The Cybertruck was never meant to be subtle. But it’s hard to ignore what it represents for EV tech, innovation, and the broader truck market.
5. Driving something different comes with responsibility – Whether you're rolling in a Cybertruck or a lifted diesel, every vehicle sends a message. How you drive matters more than what you're driving.

Turning It Over To You

Have you ever experienced a strong reaction just because of the car you were driving?

And do you think the hate toward the Cybertruck is slowly fading? Or are we still in the middle of a culture clash? 

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Image Sources: Tesla’s gallery