Skip to main content

Poor Tesla: The Cybertruck was just outdone by a Subaru Crosstrek

The Tesla Cybertruck lacks basic off-roading features

Tesla Cybertruck driving in the desert.
Tesla / Tesla

Despite its launch showing it is dominating vehicles like the Porsche 911 and the Ford F-350, the Tesla Cybertruck has just been outclassed on a trail by a Subaru Crosstrek. This isn’t the first time that the irregularly shaped EV has failed to deliver on its purported capabilities, but it is one of the first times that the Cybertruck has been overshadowed by a vehicle that costs around half its price.

In a recent YouTube video posted by VoyageATX, the stainless steel monstrosity struggled with inclines, terrain features, and even basic offroad functionality. Despite having the option to lock the rear differential in its menu, Tesla has yet to enable this feature. When the YouTuber attempted to lock his Cybertruck’s diff, he was instead met with an error message and a promise he would be able to perform the action at some point in the future. The same restrictions applied to front diff locking when that was attempted.

Recommended Videos

Another nagging fault with the Cybertruck is more of a quality of life issue, but an extreme one at that. Every time the driver left the vehicle, the offroad mode would be disengaged. Said driver would then have to go through the menus and re-enable it before setting off again. As with the differential problems, a lot of these issues will likely be fixed with a software update. But given the marketing for the Cybertruck saw it doubling as a boat and blasting across rivers — its inability to handle a trail is likely a slap in the face to the customers who spent years sitting on a pre-order.

The Subaru, which again starts at just over $30,000, ate every challenge thrown at it without any problems. Its performance was so good that it received compliments from the video host and the Tesla Cybertruck owner himself.

I Took my Cybertruck OFF ROADING! (I broke it) | Newbie's Cybertruck Off Roading Initial Perspective

This isn’t the only time a Cybertruck has struggled

A good portion of the United States spends a few months of the year blanketed in snow. This is an issue for the Cybertruck as it seems utterly incapable of functioning in winter conditions. If you look past the problems current-gen EVs generally have when the mercury drops, such as decreased range, Tesla’s Cybertruck still has major issues.

Over the past few months, social media has been awash with images of Cybertrucks stranded in snowbanks with no hope of rescue. Other areas where the Cybertruck has failed to live up to the hype include range, with no 500-mile version currently available, price, and payload. The original Cybertruck was supposed to be cheap, as in closer to a Subaru Crosstrek than a fully specced-out Dodge RAM. That price steadily climbed while the payload dwindled to 2,500 pounds from the originally quoted 3,500 pounds. The towing capacity also dropped by around 3,000 pounds between the truck’s announcement and launch.

To make matters worse, the base rear-wheel-drive edition isn’t being delivered until 2025. So, all of the issues we’re seeing are happening with the most expensive and theoretically best versions of the Cybertruck. So it seems we have a lot more Cyber-misery to come.

Dave McQuilling
Dave has spent pretty much his entire career as a journalist; this has included jobs at newspapers, TV stations, on the…
Tesla recalls nearly every Cybertruck due to faulty panel adhesive
Tesla recalls every Cybertruck because panels may fly off
Tesla Cybertruck parked outside with a mountain in the background.

Here we are again. Regardless of how you may feel about Elon Musk and his non-automotive projects and aspirations, Tesla has always been a polarizing topic in the autoverse. Beyond that, having been the innovator leading the charge at the forefront of the EV phenomenon, Tesla has been a lightning rod and poster child for everything great and awful in the world of electric vehicles, with its radically styled Cybertruck sitting at the heart of the maelstrom of swirling opinions and seemingly endless controversy.

For those who have lost count, this is now the eighth recall for Tesla's infamous Cybertruck. Elon's company topped the list of most recalled vehicles for 2024, and it seems like it is well on its way to the top of the leaderboard for 2025 with this latest recall.

Read more
Formula E celebrity rookie-to-racer event starts in Miami
Eleven celebs partnered with Formula E teams for weeks before the Miami event.
Brooklyn Beckham in a race car.

Can entrepreneurs, influencers, and celebrities master electric race cars? Find out now by checking out the Formula E channels or social media sites of the various celebrities and the Formula E teams that trained them for this two-day event at the Miami International Autodrome race track.

Eleven celebs partnered with Formula E teams for weeks before the Miami event. Team coaches and engineers stuck by the personalities as they got in shape in the gym and spent hours in racing simulators. The training led up to sessions in the Gen 3 Evo chassis race cars, which, as a point of reference, can accelerate 30% faster than a Formula 1 car.
Why train celebs and influencers to drive racecars
Formula E focuses on inclusion and sustainability. Training and streaming content involving celebrities working with Formula E teams and learning to drive the race cars is a brilliant way to attract motorsport fan attention and gather support for the values on which Formula E was founded.

Read more
Yet another Tesla recall brings back nearly 380K Model 3s for power steering issue
Tesla recalls 380,000 Model 3s
Tesla group photo with Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y parked in front of charger during sunset.

After being the most-recalled auto manufacturer of 2024, Tesla is starting off 2025 with some sizable numbers to defend its title.
Summary
Tesla is issuing a substantial recall affecting a portion of its 2023 Model 3 sedans and Model Y crossovers that are operating on software versions prior to 2023.38.4. The focus of this recall involves the printed circuit board that supports the electronic power steering assist system. Under certain conditions, this component may face an overstress situation, leading to a potential loss of power steering assistance, specifically when the vehicle comes to a complete stop and then resumes acceleration. This malfunction poses a significant safety concern, particularly in situations requiring precise steering control.

 
Remedy
In order to address this issue, Tesla has taken proactive measures by deploying a complimentary over-the-air (OTA) software update. This update is designed to rectify the malfunction and enhance vehicle safety. Affected owners can expect to receive notification letters from Tesla, with the outreach scheduled for March 25, 2025. For any additional inquiries or support, vehicle owners are encouraged to contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. The specific identification number for this recall is SB-25-00-004.

Read more