Nearly a year and a half after the Cybertruck officially hit the market in December 2023, Tesla has finally introduced a more budget-friendly variant: the 2025 Cybertruck Long Range. While this new trim offers a lower entry point, its stripped-down specifications may leave some potential buyers hesitant. Originally, Tesla had plans to release a basic, single-motor, rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck, and this model seems to be a step in that direction. However, the $69,990 price tag (plus $2,245 in destination and order fees) is a far cry from Elon Musk’s 2019 promise of a $39,990 entry-level model. Still, the Long Range edition is $10,000 cheaper than the dual-motor AWD version and a substantial $30,000 less than the top-tier Cyberbeast.
There are a few advantages that come with the reduced price. By eliminating the front motor and associated drivetrain components, the vehicle’s weight is reduced, which contributes to an EPA-estimated range of 563 kilometers. This figure can rise to 583 kilometers if you opt for the $750 soft tonneau cover, surpassing the 523-kilometer range claimed for the AWD model. From a purely range-focused standpoint, the Long Range does offer something appealing.
However, that’s where most of the good news ends. In order to hit the lower price point, Tesla has removed a considerable amount of content and features, making the cost savings come with notable sacrifices. For example, the luxurious vegan leather seats have been replaced with basic heated cloth ones that are no longer ventilated. The standard wheels have been downsized to 18 inches, although the AWD’s 20-inch wheels are still available—for an extra $3,500, which significantly narrows the price gap.
More key features have also been cut. The adjustable air suspension system is gone, swapped for standard steel springs. The premium sound system has also taken a hit, with the number of speakers reduced to just seven. Performance has taken a noticeable dip as well: acceleration from 0 to 97 km/h has slowed from 4.1 seconds in the AWD to 6.2 seconds in the Long Range.
Towing capability has been reduced significantly too. While the AWD Cybertruck can tow up to 4,990 kilograms, the Long Range model is limited to 3,402 kilograms. It also carries 120 kilograms less payload, which could be a dealbreaker for buyers needing serious utility. Additionally, the Long Range loses the bed’s built-in electrical outlets, and its tonneau cover isn’t standard—you’ll have to pay extra for a basic soft cover, while the AWD includes a retractable version by default.
Tesla defends the Long Range by comparing it to mid-tier Ford F-150 Lightning models, which may offer slightly quicker acceleration but fall short in driving range. Still, with so many compromises, it’s clear the Long Range is a mixed bag—tempting for its price, but lacking much of what made the original Cybertruck so compelling.