Tesla's $70,000 RWD Cybertruck arrives with some key features removed

Engadget - Apr 11th, 2025

Tesla has launched its long-anticipated RWD Cybertruck, priced at $69,990, which is $10,000 more than originally promised. Despite being the most affordable option in the Cybertruck lineup, the new model lacks several features previously touted during its initial unveiling. It offers a 350-mile range, surpassing initial expectations by 100 miles, but falls short of the functionalities available in the AWD version, such as the rear power tonneau, adaptive suspension, and rear lightbar. The launch comes amidst reports of sluggish sales and criticism directed at Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk.

This development is significant as it reflects Tesla's challenges in aligning product delivery with initial promises, potentially impacting customer trust and brand reputation. The Cybertruck's pricing and feature set place it in direct competition with established alternatives like the Ford F-150 and F-150 Lightning, which offer similar pricing with more robust specifications. With over a million reservations initially boasted by Tesla, the actual sales figure of around 50,000 units suggests a considerable gap between interest and conversion, highlighting potential strategic and operational hurdles for the automaker.

Elon Musk Tesla Electric Vehicles Automotive Industry Cybertruck Awd Vs Rwd

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The news story provides a mostly accurate and clear overview of the Tesla RWD Cybertruck's launch, highlighting key differences between promised and actual features. It effectively captures public interest and timeliness by focusing on a current and relevant topic. However, the story lacks transparency and source quality, as it does not cite specific sources or provide detailed verification of claims. The balance could be improved by including more perspectives or positive aspects of the Cybertruck. Despite these weaknesses, the article remains engaging and accessible, offering valuable insights into Tesla's latest model and its market implications.

Accuracy

The news story accurately reports several key facts about the Tesla RWD Cybertruck, such as its price of $69,990 and its range of 350 miles. These figures align with available data and announcements from Tesla. However, some claims, like the original $40,000 price promise and missing features such as the rear power tonneau and adaptive suspension, need further verification against Tesla's official releases. The story also mentions that Tesla reportedly sold around 50,000 units despite having over a million reservations, which requires more precise data to confirm. Overall, the story is mostly accurate but lacks comprehensive verification for some claims.

Balance

The article presents a critical view of Tesla's RWD Cybertruck, highlighting its higher-than-promised price and missing features. While it provides a comparison with competitors like the Ford F-150, it predominantly focuses on the shortcomings and criticisms of Tesla, potentially leading to a biased perspective. The story could benefit from including more positive aspects or potential advantages of the Cybertruck to offer a balanced view. Additionally, it does not explore Tesla's potential reasons or justifications for the changes, which could provide a more rounded perspective.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, making it easy for readers to follow the main points and claims. The language is straightforward, and the tone is neutral, focusing on delivering facts and comparisons. However, the article could improve by providing more context or background on the Cybertruck's development and market positioning to enhance reader understanding. Overall, the clarity is strong, but additional context would be beneficial.

Source quality

The article does not clearly cite specific sources or provide links to official Tesla statements or third-party analyses. This lack of attribution makes it challenging to assess the credibility and reliability of the information presented. Without clear sources, it's difficult to determine whether the data comes from authoritative or potentially biased perspectives. The inclusion of direct references to Tesla's announcements or reputable industry analyses would enhance the story's credibility.

Transparency

The story lacks transparency in terms of the sources of its information and the methodology used to gather data. It does not disclose how the sales figures or the missing features were confirmed, nor does it explain the basis for the claims about Tesla's reservations or sales strategy. Greater transparency about the sources and methods used would help readers understand the reliability of the information and any potential biases or conflicts of interest.