The News: USA Today published a road-trip review of the Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast, concluding the truck met or exceeded its range expectations and that FSD (Supervised) made the drive genuinely enjoyable.
Why It Matters: Range anxiety and real-world FSD performance are the two biggest hesitations for prospective Cybertruck buyers β this review directly addresses both in a positive light from a mainstream publication.
Source: @SawyerMerritt on X
USA Today Takes the Cyberbeast on a Road Trip β and Comes Away Impressed
Mainstream media reviews of the Tesla Cybertruck have run the full spectrum since the truck began deliveries, but a new road-trip piece in USA Today lands firmly in the positive column β and for reasons that matter most to real owners. The reviewer specifically called out two things: the Cyberbeast's range held up in the real world, and FSD (Supervised) turned a long highway drive into something genuinely fun.
That combination β real-world range validation from a non-enthusiast outlet, paired with a glowing FSD road-trip endorsement β is exactly the kind of mainstream coverage that moves the needle for buyers sitting on the fence.
π Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Estimated Range (Cyberbeast) | 320 miles | Met or exceeded in review |
| 0β60 mph | 2.6 sec | Tri-Motor AWD |
| Battery Capacity | ~123 kWh | Largest Tesla pack to date |
| Max Towing Capacity | 11,000 lbs | Cyberbeast trim |
| FSD Included (new purchases) | 3 months free | Cyberbeast & Premium AWD in US |
Range: The Number That Actually Matters
The Cybertruck Cyberbeast carries an EPA estimated range of 320 miles β respectable for a tri-motor truck with a 123 kWh battery pack, but EPA numbers are always viewed with skepticism until real-world data backs them up. The USA Today reviewer's confirmation that the truck met or exceeded that figure on an actual road trip is meaningful validation, not just a spec-sheet talking point.
Range anxiety hits harder on road trips than in daily commuting, where most owners charge overnight and rarely stress the pack. The fact that this review was specifically a road-trip test β the hardest use case for any EV β makes the positive range result more credible than a city-driving anecdote.
FSD (Supervised) on the Highway: From Feature to Road-Trip Partner
The reviewer noted that FSD (Supervised) was enabled for most of the drive β and described the experience as a blast. That's a notable shift in tone from the cautious, intervention-heavy impressions that characterized early FSD road-trip reports.
For context, Tesla is currently running FSD v14 (Supervised), and early owner reports indicate the system has made meaningful strides in highway lane keeping, lane changes, and exit navigation β though some interventions are still expected. The USA Today reviewer's enthusiasm aligns with what experienced FSD users have been reporting: on clean highway miles, the system increasingly fades into the background and lets you enjoy the drive rather than babysit it.
It's also worth noting that new Cyberbeast and Premium AWD purchases in the US currently include three months of FSD (Supervised) at no extra cost β giving new buyers a genuine runway to evaluate the system before deciding whether to continue on a subscription basis. For our full breakdown of FSD updates and milestones, see our FSD coverage.
π The BASENOR Take
Timeline: Review published March 2026 β aligns with growing mainstream EV road-trip coverage ahead of spring driving season.
Impact Level: π‘ Moderate β positive mainstream media coverage that reinforces Cybertruck's real-world credibility.
Confidence: High β direct quote from the review shared by a reliable Tesla news aggregator.
Analysis: The Cybertruck has faced a complicated media narrative since launch. A road-trip review in a major mainstream outlet like USA Today β one that specifically validates range and FSD performance β is the kind of coverage that reaches buyers who aren't plugged into Tesla enthusiast communities. These are the fence-sitters who Google "is the Cybertruck worth it" before walking into a showroom. A positive, experience-driven review from a trusted general-interest publication carries disproportionate weight with that audience compared to a dozen favorable takes from EV-focused media.
π° Deep Dive
What makes this review particularly interesting is what it doesn't focus on. The Cybertruck has attracted enormous attention for its polarizing design, its stainless steel body, and the various controversies that surrounded its launch period. A road-trip review that leads with range performance and FSD usability suggests the reviewer β and by extension, USA Today's readership β is now evaluating the Cyberbeast on the same practical terms as any other road-trip vehicle. That's a maturation of the narrative that Tesla will welcome.
The FSD angle is equally significant from a product positioning standpoint. Tesla has consistently argued that FSD transforms long-distance driving from a chore into an experience β and that argument lands very differently when it comes from a mainstream journalist who just drove it, rather than from Tesla's own marketing. The reviewer's description of having "a blast" with FSD enabled for most of the drive is an organic endorsement that no ad spend can replicate.
For current and prospective Cyberbeast owners, the practical takeaway is straightforward: the truck's real-world range holds up on highway road trips, and FSD (Supervised) is mature enough to meaningfully enhance the experience on those same trips. With three months of FSD included on new purchases, buyers have a low-risk way to evaluate the system themselves before committing to the ongoing subscription.
Marcus covers Tesla's software releases, FSD rollouts, and OTA changes. Background in automotive engineering. Based in Austin.
Sources verified at publish time. Spotted an inaccuracy? Email editorial@basenor.com.
