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The Tesla Cybertruck is a controversial member of the electric pickup truck market. With its polarizing low-res styling and strange claims to fame (like bulletproof construction), the Cybertruck firmly divided opinions. However, regardless of your feelings on the Cybertruck’s looks, the large EV didn’t quite deliver the range Tesla said it could. But it was long-legged enough to cover a longer distance than a segment rival: the Ford F-150 Lightning.

The Tesla Cybertruck fell short of its range estimation, but it still beat the Ford F-150 Lightning in a highway range test

Tesla asserts that the monstrous Cybertruck Beast will cover as much as 301 miles of range. No easy feat, considering the Cybertruck’s massive 6,900-lb footprint. However, in testing, the Cybertruck fell short of that magic number. 

Specifically, the Cybertruck Beast eked out a 250-mile trek on a single charge in real-world testing, per Car and Driver. Now, that’s the Beast with its all-wheel drive (AWD) platform and 123-kWh battery driving at a steady 75 mph. While that’s 51 miles off Tesla’s own estimation, it’s more than enough to sail past the Ford F-150 Lightning. 

Make and model Highway range test results
Tesla Cybertruck Beast250 miles
Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum (131 kWh)230 miles
Ford F-150 Lightning176 miles

In comparison, the Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum with the larger 131-kWh battery pack managed to cover around 230 miles in the same 75-mph highway testing. The Ford F-150 Lightning with the smaller, 98-kWh battery architecture returned a real-world range of closer to 176 miles. 

Still, the Tesla Cybertruck will offer the added benefit of a range extender as early as next year. However, the range extender will be spectacularly spendy. At $16,000, the range extender isn’t far off from the starting price of the most affordable new car in America, the Nissan Versa S. On the other hand, the extender could push the dual-motor Cybertruck to around 470 miles.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).