2026 Tesla Cybertruck

You either love or loathe it; the Tesla Cybertruck doesn't offer much middle ground. On one hand, its distinct shape seems to have traveled from the future, although we're unsure whether it's of the Star Trek or Mad Max variety. Then again, it's also a thoroughly modern mashup of Jeep, truck and sports car, capable of towing up to 11,000 pounds, accelerating to 60 mph in 4 seconds, and easily scaling steep and broken terrain. Still, the Cybertruck has proven more adept at grabbing headlines than market share, as dodgy build quality and a lofty price limit its niche. 

Edmunds spotlight: Extended range plans have been extended

At the time of this writing, Tesla hasn't announced any changes for the 2026 Cybertruck. That's always subject to change since the automaker often introduces or enhances features via over-the-air software updates. One anticipated but unreleased feature may yet remain on the shelf, if it's not shelved entirely. A bed-mounted extended-range battery option recently disappeared from Tesla's online configurator, dashing the hopes of Cybertruck owners seeking 400 or more miles of range. (We topped out at 334 miles in our own Edmunds EV Range Test.) The $16,000 option has experienced delays before, so whether this is another setback or a silent admission of defeat remains to be seen.

On the other hand, the Cybertruck could get a standard battery upgrade anyway, as Tesla's new 4680 battery program appears ready to come online. The new battery design uses dry cathode technology said to reduce manufacturing complexity and costs and pack more energy density into the same or smaller footprint as existing batteries.

Competitors to consider

The electric truck space is getting more crowded, with choices including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T and forthcoming Ram 1500 Rev. The Chevrolet Silverado EV and Sierra EV share similar towing and payload capabilities with the Tesla but offer more range for less money. If you prefer something with the Cybertruck's presence, the Hummer EV is pricey and not particularly efficient, but it's hard to argue with its beastly style and all-terrain ability.

The Cybertruck's singular look and impressive capabilities fuel its appeal, but execution remains a mixed bag.