Watch The Tesla Cybertruck Show Off Its Off-roading Prowess In The Real World

The Tesla Cybertruck, some love it, while others don’t want to admit it because it looks funny. In any case, the electric beast cannot be denied when it comes to power and resilience. Naturally, such qualities are to be expected, considering how Elon Musk described it as “Tesla’s best product ever”. The company’s efforts in honing the battery-powered behemoth are quite noticeable.

The Cybertruck is composed of stainless steel, bulletproof doors, and shatter-resistant armor glass. Under the robust skin lies a powerful setup, capable of churning up to 845 horses, which translates into a 0-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds, making it the fastest-sprinting truck in the industry for now.

Such specs might make you forget that this performance-heavy truck also boasts impressive off-roading specs. The Cybertruck was recently spotted traversing steep hills and rough terrain comfortably, thanks to its impressive torque figure and air-suspension system.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Tesla, The Wall Street Journal, and X (Formerly known as Twitter).

The Tesla Cybertruck Makes Use Of Air Suspension To Navigate Beaten Paths

When it comes to off-roading, electric trucks still have some catching up to do before they can properly rival their gas-powered counterparts. Currently, the Cybertruck is one of the closest alternatives to traditional ICE juggernauts, combining terrain-defying resilience with a beasty powertrain.

The Cybertruck Has The Highest Ground Clearance In The EV Realm

The video above shows the Cybertruck three-wheeling down the hill while pushing its suspension system to the limit. The prowess is achieved thanks to the air suspension of the vehicle, which provides up to 12 inches of adjustment.

The Extract Mode offers up to 17 inches of ground clearance, which is unparalleled in the electric truck segment. The truck works on a fully independent suspension that is further complemented by a rear-wheel steering setup, which in turn allows for a tighter turning radius.

The Other Factors At Play

Another key ingredient in making such accomplishments possible is the truck’s approach and departure angles. The Approach Angle refers to the maximum angle of the ramp onto which a vehicle can ascend horizontally, whereas the Departure one refers to the maximum angle from which the vehicle can safely descend.

The Cybertruck comes with a 35-degree Approach Angle that is equal to that of the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, which is one of the best off-roaders in the business. Similarly, the Tesla Cybertruck can descend steep hills because of its 28-degree departure angle, which is shown in the video above.

Tesla Cybertruck Off-road Figures

(Figures sourced from Tesla)

The Cybertruck Can Handle Up To 31 Inches Of Water

Elon Musk is known for making bold claims, and, to his credit, backing them up quite often. Naturally, the controversial CEO wasn’t going to hold back when it came to its next cash cow. Last year, Musk took to Twitter (now X) to claim that the Cybertruck could briefly serve as a boat over rivers, lakes, and, mind you, even seas! These claims were further reinforced at the delivery event in November, although Tesla’s warranty discourages submerging its vehicles in the water. Nonetheless, the Cybertruck is specifically equipped for the task.

The Wade Mode Allows You To Submerge The Truck Without Damaging The Battery

The water-crossing abilities of the fun-shaped juggernaut are made possible by its air suspension system, which allows you to adjust the ground clearance depending on your needs. This effectively allows you to navigate shallow bodies of water.

Now, since such activities are likely to damage the pricey and essential 123 kWh battery pack that underpins the truck, Tesla engineers have included the Wade Mode. The latter not only raises the suspension to its highest setting but also pressurizes the battery pack, using air from the suspension compressor to stop water from hitting the infrastructure.

The pressurization process takes about ten minutes, after which you can go on about dipping your truck in the water. However, the mode automatically turns off after 30 minutes. The Cybertruck can handle a water depth of up to 31 inches.

Tesla Wants To Turn The Cybertruck Into A Temporary Boat

The pressurization process takes about ten minutes, after which you can go on about dipping your truck in the water. However, the mode automatically turns off after 30 minutes. The Cybertruck can handle a water depth of up to 31 inches. The Wade Mode screen further clarifies that the water level should not be beyond the top of the bumper. Limitations aside, this feat is still impressive, although not unparalleled. The Rivian R1T is known to do similar tricks but slightly better.

Water Fording Height: Tesla Cybertruck VS Rivian R1T

(Specs sourced from the manufacturers)

To up the ante, Elon Musk has stated that the goal is for the Cybertruck to be able to cross the water between SpaceX’s Starbase and South Padre Island. This implies that the truck would be able to travel in the water for at least 1,100 feet, which is the shortest distance separating the Brazos Santiago Pass from the island.

The Cybertruck Is Being Tested In Various Conditions

While the performance of the Cybertruck at Hollister Hills might seem damning at first glance, it is important to note that the underlying factors of the experiment are somewhat redeeming.

For starters, X user omg_Tesla who posted the R1T footage clarified that the stair step obstacle was mainly made out of cement, to offer a low-traction surface, and force vehicles to flex their suspension levels. The user further explained that dirt trails accumulate with each vehicle that drives up the ramp. This, in turn, causes the track to be more slippery. Nonetheless, the Cybertruck still managed to complete the task, regardless of the laborious attempt.

The Cybertruck Is Compromised By Its Sheer Size And Awkward Design

There are various ways to describe the styling of the Cybertruck, and “unconventional” is at the forefront of them. Sure, the eccentric design choice might translate into better aerodynamic efficiency, but it can also be geometrically compromising when it comes to driving around rough terrain.

See, the concept of off-roading is pretty simple: you need a compact vehicle, with low weight, and small overhangs, which is why the best terrain-defying vehicles ever made, such as the Land Rover Defender, fit those criteria to a T. Conversely, pickup trucks deviate from that norm, with their elongated frames and lengthy beds. The gargantuan Cybertruck is subjected to the same compromising factors, with its 95 inches of width, and 223.7-inch wheelbase.

Tesla Cybertruck Dimensions

(Numbers sourced from Tesla)

To make things even trickier, the Cybertruck is remarkably heavy, which is to be expected when you’re dealing with an electric truck that is underpinned by a hefty battery pack and equipped with two or three motors, depending on the trim level. The latter variant weighs a whopping 6,843 pounds. These large proportions naturally affect the turning radius of the Cybertruck, and make it harder to navigate around tight spots, which are quite recurrent on the beaten paths.

Nonetheless, that extra weight can still come in handy, as it provides better stability, and more safety in case of crashes. At the same time, it’s likely to negatively impact your adventures around the rugged tracks. That being said, the Cybertruck is still a good off-roading vehicle, just not the best, and that’s alright. The truck still offers a vast array of interesting features and specs to keep you satisfied with your purchase.

An All-rounder On Paper, Despite Its Quirks

While the Cybertruck might have its fair share of shortcomings, it remains a perfectly sturdy truck that is capable of undertaking heavy-duty activities to a respectable extent. As of now, electric trucks are mostly held back by their relatively limited ranges, which further dwindle when towing, or under extreme weather conditions. The Cybertruck accounts for that with a range extender that can add over 130 miles, effectively resulting in 470 miles of range on a full charge on the All-Wheel Drive variant, making it one of the most efficient offerings in the category.

Tesla Cybertruck Performance Specs

(Specs sourced from Tesla)

Tesla Cybertruck Features

• A 6×4 foot truck
• Stainless-steel super alloy exterior
• 48V architecture
• Shatter-resistant armor glass, capable of withstanding a baseball at 70mph
• Bulletproof doors