Tesla hikes the price for the Cybertruck AWD by $10,000

We all know that the EV world moves fast, but Tesla just set a new record for speed in the wrong direction for buyers' wallets. Just 10 days after introducing a more affordable version of its famous electric pickup, the company hit the brakes on the deal. The Cybertruck All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which briefly started at $59,990, now carries a price tag of $69,990. This $10,000 jump (17% increase) went into effect almost as soon as customers got used to the old price.

This is a very specific strategy from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. When the $59,990 trim launched on February 19, it seemed like the first version of the truck that actually offered good value. It came with dual motors, an estimated range of 325 miles, and a powered cover for the truck bed. Shortly after the launch, Musk posted on social media that this price would only last for 10 days. By telling everyone the price was about to go up, Tesla created a "buy it now" panic that flooded the company with orders.

The sudden rush of orders allowed the company to claim that demand for the electric truck was sky-high. As more people rushed to buy, delivery dates pushed back from June 2026 into 2027. Tesla then used these long wait times as a reason to justify the $10,000 price hike. Can you imagine a baker telling a crowd that bread will cost double in five minutes? Everyone runs to buy a loaf, and the baker then says the price hike is fair because so many people wanted bread.

$69,990 is a lot of money, but the new AWD model is still a much better deal than the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) version Tesla canceled. That older model also cost $69,990, but it was missing many important parts. It did not have the air suspension, the motorized bed cover, or the power outlets in the back. It only had one motor and was not very popular. Compared to that "stripped-down" version, the new AWD model feels like a luxury upgrade for the same price.

But if we look back at the original promises made in 2019, the story changes. When Tesla first showed the Cybertruck, they said the dual-motor AWD version would cost just $49,900. Even if we adjust for inflation - which would make that price about $63,000 today - the current $69,990 price is still $7,000 higher than what was promised. The top-end "Cyberbeast" model was originally supposed to cost what the base model costs now - instead, it sells for $99,990.

The constant price changes make it very difficult for people to know what their vehicle is actually worth. In the car world, most brands keep prices steady for at least a year or two. When a company changes prices every week, it makes the used car market very messy. If you bought a Cybertruck for $60,000 last week, your neighbor now has to pay $70,000 for the exact same thing today. It makes your truck feel more valuable now, but the price could just as easily drop by $10,000 next month, all depending on the mood of a CEO.

Running a business with a fleet of Cybertrucks is also a challenge. Companies need to know how much their trucks will be worth in three or four years so they can plan their budgets. With Tesla, the value of the truck seems to depend on the latest social media posts rather than steady market rules. Buying a vehicle should feel like a solid investment, not like trying to find a cheap seat on a budget airline where prices change every time you refresh the page.

For now, the Cybertruck keeps its label of a vehicle of contradictions. It is a high-tech EV with impressive specs, but the way it is sold feels more like a game than a traditional car sale. Whether buyers will continue to jump through these hoops for the stainless-steel truck remains to be seen. If you missed the 10-day window, the "affordable" Cybertruck has already become a thing of the past.

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