Is “Apocalypse Now” Mode Activated? Testing the Tesla Cybertruck Offroad

The Tesla Cybertruck has made many impressive claims about its existence as the best in its segment! It arrives at the table with front and rear locking differentials, 35-inch mud-ready tires, and a 12-inch suspension lift. There are even Bilstein shocks in the mix, making things seem not so “cyber” after all. Many diehard truck fans were curious about what resulted after the Tesla Cybertruck was tested offroad. 

Testing the Tesla Cybertruck Offroad

The included drive modes for the task are Overland and Baja. Overland allows the driver to choose rock, sand, gravel, or all-purpose driving. Rock mode offers up a burly ride height and tightly-linked air springs for refined articulation. This mode also offers the option of quickly switching things up between “hold” and “roll.” Engaging “Hold” allows you to come to a complete stop without depressing the brake pedal. 

Unleashing Cyber Power Via Mode Mastery:

When the Cybertruck was in the development stage, engineers knew that it was going to have to pack a serious punch. The Baja mode allows for the very unique adjustment of power distribution. Sliding the rear end on command provides a greater sense of agility. The “Wade” mode offers 32-inches of available go-through clearance for the wet stuff. The high-voltage battery is expertly pressurized to keep it safe from damaging elements. 

Extract mode quickly boosts you to the highest lift for getting unstuck. This allows for the “slowly slaying” courtesy of 16 inches of clearance and a 10-mph speed cap. At first glance, all of these considerations seem to make for a dirt-defying champion! After official deliveries were complete, drivers were still waiting for the locking diffs to be activated. 

Onward and Off-Road: Cybertruck’s Pilots Trail Expedition Epic

As the team headed to Pilot’s Rock Trail, they were pleased to hear it was muddy from last night’s rain. When they got rolling, they were surprised that visibility was a bit tough off the bat! Since the Cybertruck boasts a high beltline, the group found themselves leaning forward frequently. The various cameras on board did not offer a very advantageous view of the trails. 

The drive modes that the team was so excited about were controlled by a screen-based system. After what seemed like clean attempts, they still frequently found themselves in the wrong setting. When they activated traction control, they encountered some wheel slip. When the front and rear fairings needed to be removed, the crew couldn’t succeed. 

Unmasking the Potential: How the Cybertruck’s Sketchy Start Foreshadows Greatness

Many off-road lovers intently watching the Cybertruck’s progress had qualms about range and infrastructure. When you are putting the rig to the test dutifully offroad, it can demand more juice than highway drives. This team noticed that the energy used on the Pilot’s Trail expedition was about on par with what towing requires. 

If you are planning on knocking out upwards of 150 miles during your journey, you may want to have a pretty solid plan for charging. Another flaw that the group found with the Cybertruck is one that many were wondering about before its release! Many Jeep lovers can’t live without just how easy it is to lug a spare with models such as the Wrangler. Since these provisions aren’t present on the Cybertruck, this team felt it fell quite short. 

New to the Game & Standing Fatefully Alone? 

This truck was in development for nearly a decade! Car lovers must remember that the promises of sci-fi movies were speculated upon during their early days as well. Some basic improvements to the traction control system are this group’s first request. Removing a few of the trim pieces that pose a bit of an overhang is a second. 

One of the Inside Evs staff members recently got to spend time in a Cybertruck at the “Optima Unplugged” event. After achieving skill-demanding success in the Mint 400 and Baja 1000 races, he was on deck to properly judge suspension and handling. He immediately claimed that the available torque from the Cybertruck is unrivaled!

Thrill Seekers, Rejoice: Exploring the Wild Side of Cybertruck in Baja Mode

When things get sketchy, all of this power is available to quickly bail you out! This test drive was completed with 35-inch Yokohama Geolanders wrapping beadlocks. When it came time to lay down some donuts, the Cybertruck’s traction and stability controls were on point! During the very telling “downhill dirt” fast run, it was deemed here that the ABS is not quite tuned for dirt.

This writer agreed that visibility from the Cybertruck’s driver’s seat isn’t the greatest. With such a long front end, it’s a bit tough to properly crest a hill. This driver also enjoyed Rivian’s offering for its onboard air compressor, which the Cybertruck doesn’t have. The overall verdict here was that the Cybertruck is still visionary, and not in the least complacent. 

What do you think of the Tesla Cybertruck and its off-road performance? Is it the next best thing in the boulder-crushing world, or is its very brash presence a bit too much? Drivers were waiting for quite some time for it to arrive, and now that it’s here, some are just a touch underwhelmed. Let us know what you think in the comments below, or check out another article about Tesla’s supercharger network.