I have something truly rare for the EV community. I finally tracked down a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Cybertruck in person. Tesla recently removed this trim from their configurator, making this one of the last few “stripped-down” models to hit the road.
As a dual-motor owner and someone who lives and breathes EV hardware, I was dying to see what $61,000 (the original target price) actually buys you in the world of stainless steel. If you’re used to the Cyber Beast or the AWD models, this version is going to look and feel very different. Let’s get into the technical specs and the compromises.
Exterior: The Dead Giveaways
The first thing you’ll notice are the wheels. Unlike the Cyber wheels or the 20-inch alloys on the higher trims, the RWD model sports 18-inch wheels with a distinct, more basic design.
- The Tires: Interestingly, this unit came with Goodyear Wrangler Territory HT tires (285/70/18). I originally thought Tesla was switching everything to Pirellis for the all-seasons, but the Goodyear HTs are clearly the choice for this efficiency-focused trim.
- The Vault (Bed): This is a big one. There is no powered tonneau cover. It’s just an open bed. If you want a cover, you’d have to pay extra, and even then, there are no buttons on the sail pillar to operate it because the mechanism isn’t there.
- Missing Utility: You also lose the L-Track (airline) rails and the 120V/240V outlets in the bed. For a truck, that’s a massive hit to utility.
Interior: Cloth Seats and Firm Comfort
Stepping inside, the cabin experience shifts from “luxury utility” to “base model.”
- Seating: The seats are primarily cloth, with vegan leather accents on the sides and center. Because they are cloth, you lose the ventilated (cooled) seat feature entirely.
- Firmness: I found these cloth seats to be noticeably firmer than the plush seats in the dual-motor or Cyber Beast. It’s not necessarily uncomfortable, but it’s a different tactile experience.
- The Rear Display: This is the weirdest part—there is no rear infotainment screen. In its place is a blank plastic panel. For a Tesla, seeing a missing screen feels very “un-Tesla.”
Performance and Capability
The RWD trim is a more basic “street truck.” You lose a lot of the hardware that makes the Cybertruck a monster off-road.
- No Air Suspension: This model features a fixed suspension. You get “Comfort,” “Sport,” and “Custom” drive modes, but you cannot adjust the ride height.
- Off-Road Software: I searched through the menus and couldn’t find the off-road settings or locking differential controls. This truck is clearly designed for urban environments and light duty.
- Towing: The towing capacity is significantly lower than the 11,000 lbs you get on the AWD models.
| Feature | AWD / Cyber Beast | RWD Trim (Stripped) |
| Drivetrain | Dual or Tri-Motor | Single Motor (Rear) |
| Suspension | Active Air (Adjustable) | Fixed (Non-Adjustable) |
| Tonneau | Powered Standard | None (Manual/Extra) |
| Bed Outlets | 120V & 240V Included | None |
| Rear Screen | 9.4-inch Included | Deleted |
Hardware Review: The “Shed” Tech
Even in this base model, some things remain standard. You still get the massive front wiper, the steer-by-wire system, and the robust glass roof. You also maintain access to the 12V power feeds in the frunk and roof for accessories, which is a nice “pro” feature to keep on a base model.
Is it a Buy?
I’ll be honest—at the $61,000 to $69,000 price point, I think this is a tough sell. When you consider that you lose the AWD capability, the air suspension, the bed power, and the ventilated seats, the value starts to thin out.
To me, the “sweet spot” for this specific trim would have been closer to $50,000. It’s a cool-looking vehicle and it gets you into the Tesla ecosystem, but you’re sacrificing a lot of what makes the Cybertruck a revolutionary piece of hardware.
