The RWD Tesla Cybertruck has been discontinued, which might mean buyers have to get in at a much higher starting price point than before.
Tesla has silently removed the rear-wheel drive Cybertruck from its lineup, leaving only the pricier all-wheel drive configurations available for buyers. This move effectively raises the entry price for anyone wanting to get into a Cybertruck, eliminating what was supposed to be the most affordable option. Here’s what this means for potential buyers and why Tesla might be pushing customers toward higher-trim models.
Base models aren’t always popular
Despite base models of vehicles being popular among drivers who need a cheap vehicle, they don’t always make sense for higher-priced vehicles. The cheapest Cybertruck is canceled, but that might not be a problem. Although this means the starting point for this truck will be much higher than before, most buyers are moving away from affordable electric truck options in order to enjoy longer driving ranges, more features, and much more power. This makes the change to the AWD models only offered for the Cybertruck, which makes sense for many buyers of this electric pickup.
The RWD model didn’t last long
The RWD version of the Tesla Cybertruck is being discontinued only six months after this base version was released to the public. The rear-drive version was expected to be the most affordable model, but it hasn’t sold nearly as well as it should have, which has led to Tesla making some lineup changes. This could partially be due to the changing market for electric vehicles, which has cooled dramatically over the past two years, and turned nearly frozen with the looming discontinuation of the Federal EV Tax Credits at the end of September.
The Cybertruck price increase
Now that the RWD version is gone from the Cybertruck configurations for the remainder of 2025, the lineup now starts at a higher price. This means a Tesla Cybertruck price increase allows the truck to begin at $82,235 for the AWD model and $117,2345 for the Cyberbeast model. These two versions are made to allow Tesla to capture maximum profits per model, which might help the brand survive through tough times without some of the benefits that have been offered in the past. These prices might be too much for most truck owners, but the Cybertruck isn’t a common truck for every driver.
Why did Tesla change the Cybertruck lineup?
Tesla claimed to have over one million reservations for the Cybertruck when they began to scale production figures to between 250,000 and 500,000 units per year. The sales figures for the first half of this year have dropped well below expectations, with Tesla selling only 24,000 units during 2024 and 15,000 Cybertrucks during the first half of 2025. It seems those one million reservations were probably canceled and refunded because many shoppers waited nearly five years for Tesla to bring the Cybertruck to market. This has led to the Tesla Cybertruck RWD model being discontinued, leaving only more expensive models.
Is the style to blame?
When Elon Musk first took the stage with a Cybertruck in 2019, it seemed like a futuristic, exciting, and unique model. Had this truck appeared by 2021 or 2022, it would have sold like gangbusters. The EV market was buzzing, and Tesla models were heading to customers several at a time. Unfortunately for Tesla, and consistent with how this company has released products, the truck was delayed until 2024.
The styling of the Cybertruck is extremely polarizing, and it really doesn’t matter how you look at it. There’s nothing about it that makes it seem like a traditional truck, but that’s because it isn’t. The sharp angles, strange shape, and unusual stance make it more difficult to accept as a truck. Of course, it didn’t help that Elon Musk was such a big part of the federal government at the beginning of this year.
Will the RWD model be missed?
Before Tesla discontinued the RWD Cybertruck, it came in at a price of $72,235 to start, which only made it about $10,000 less expensive than the AWD model. The RWD version had only one motor, situated on the rear axle, and it also did not have a tonneau cover, active air suspension, or power outlets in the bed. This downgraded version also had a lower grade of headlights and fewer features in the cabin. It seems that everything the AWD model brings to the table, $10,000 is a pretty fair price.
Will you miss out on the opportunity to buy an RWD Cybertruck now that it’s gone?
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