Despite being at the forefront of electric vehicle innovation, Tesla’s Cybertruck has lately been at the center of some unsavory attention. Its capability to handle rough terrains, a feature much boasted about, has recently been put into question.
Elon Musk hinted at an upcoming update to Cybertruck’s Wade Mode—an implied amphibious capability—indicating the current presence of the supporting hardware. But a recent video has thrown its effectiveness into doubt, showing the feature as currently non-operational.
A video posted on May 27, purportedly from Azula Canyon in the US, depicted a Tesla Cybertruck that unsuccessfully tried to ford a river. It approached from a steep slope and leaped into the water, only to fail in its attempt to ascend the opposite bank and become trapped.
The river’s depth, apparently not enough to cover the wheels, was initially not seen as a serious obstacle. Yet, the rear wheels struggled and seemed to spin out when trying to climb out, failing repeatedly. The uploader claimed that the vehicle was eventually extricated with the assistance of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
Such incidents aren’t the first to raise doubts about the Cybertruck’s off-road prowess. A video of a prototype getting stuck in a Texas mud pit, and a recent incident where a Cybertruck was pulled out of snow by a Ford F-150, preceded the river crossing episode. Both events circulated widely online, and the latter was even addressed by Ford, highlighting it was not their promotional material.
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In early 2023, a Cybertruck was seen with a rear wheel twisted out of alignment due to a supposed suspension issue. The vehicle was on a notoriously tough course, where breakdowns are common, but the damage points to possible weaknesses in Tesla’s four-wheel steering system—particularly the rear steering components, which are more complex than the typical setups found in rear-wheel-drive cars. The Cybertruck’s rough terrain capabilities, despite its power and tire size, seem to fall short when measured against its competitors.
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FAQ on Tesla’s Cybertruck River Crossing Challenge
- What is the Tesla Cybertruck’s Wade Mode?
- Did the Cybertruck completely submerge during its river crossing attempt?
- How was the Cybertruck eventually removed from the river?
- Has the Cybertruck experienced other performance challenges?
- What makes the Cybertruck’s rear-wheel steering system unique and potentially problematic?
Wade Mode is a feature that is supposed to enhance the Cybertruck’s ability to traverse water by optimizing vehicle settings for amphibious operation. Elon Musk has indicated that an update for this mode is forthcoming, which may enhance the vehicle’s water-fording capabilities.
No, the Cybertruck did not completely submerge. The water depth was not enough to cover the wheels, but the vehicle still struggled to exit the river and climb the opposite bank.
The Cybertruck was eventually towed out by a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, according to the person who posted the video of the incident.
Yes, there have been several other instances where the Cybertruck’s performance has come into question, such as getting stuck in mud and needing to be towed out of snow, as well as potential issues with its suspension on rugged off-road courses.
The Cybertruck’s rear-wheel steering system is more complex than that of standard rear-wheel-drive vehicles. It includes components such as tie rods, which are more typically found on the front wheels and may lead to a higher risk of failure when used in challenging driving conditions.
