The Cybertruck has faced relentless criticism since its 2023 debut. Detractors call its angular stainless-steel design ugly or impractical, point to early production issues like recalls for accelerator pedals and wiper failures, question its real-world towing and range claims, and highlight high pricing for what some see as a novelty vehicle. Online forums and media often label it a "flop" due to perceived hype fatigue, Elon Musk's polarizing persona, and broader EV market slowdowns. Many predicted steep depreciation—some even joked about 50% drops in the first year—labeling early owners as overpaying for a futuristic gimmick.
Yet, as of February 2026, used Cybertrucks tell a different story. Listings for low-mileage examples frequently hover in the $75,000–$85,000 range, with averages around $82,000–$82,300 according to sources like CarGurus. For context, new base AWD models start around $81,985–$82,000 (with higher trims like Cyberbeast pushing $117,000), meaning many used ones trade near or even slightly below new pricing after 1–2 years. Some analyses project 5-year depreciation around 46%, retaining about $51,000 in resale value from higher original MSRPs (e.g., $94,000+ for early units), far better than initial fears.
Compare that to rivals: The Ford F-150 Lightning often loses over 50% in the first two years, with projections showing it retaining just 44% after five years. The Rivian R1T fares similarly, depreciating around 62% early on and holding roughly 32–42% long-term. Other EV trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado EV show even steeper first-year drops near 49%. In head-to-head residual value rankings, the Cybertruck frequently outperforms these competitors, sometimes retaining 50–60% after several years where others fall below 40–45%.
Why the discrepancy? The Cybertruck's exclusivity, bold aesthetics, and strong enthusiast following create sustained demand—it's often the top-selling EV pickup in the U.S., outpacing the Lightning and R1T in recent periods. Tesla's brand loyalty, over-the-air updates, and cultural status symbol appeal help buffer resale values. Meanwhile, broader EV truck inventory buildup and price cuts on new models hammer competitors' used markets harder.
The hate persists—design taste is subjective, and early bugs linger in memory—but the numbers don't lie. Used Cybertrucks are defying the "worthless" narrative, holding stronger than expected and outperforming rival EV pickups in resale resilience. For buyers eyeing the segment, that retention could make the polarizing truck a smarter long-term play than the critics admit.