September 2025 was a weird month for Tesla. If you were watching the configurator like a hawk, you saw things change almost daily. One minute the rear-wheel-drive model is there, the next it’s gone, and suddenly everyone is talking about a $699 lease.
Honestly, it felt like a fire sale. Tesla was staring down the barrel of a massive regulatory shift. The federal EV lease tax credit—that's the big $7,500 incentive—was scheduled to expire on September 30, 2025. This created a "now or never" pressure cooker for anyone sitting on the fence about the stainless steel beast.
The $699 Reality Check
So, let's talk about that headline number. $699 per month. It sounds incredible for a truck that costs eighty grand, right? Well, sort of.
That specific Tesla Cybertruck AWD lease deal in September required a $5,000 down payment. When you factor in the 36-month term and a 10,000-mile annual cap, it’s a solid deal, but it’s not exactly "cheap." For context, if you wanted the same truck with $0 down, your monthly check jumped to about $838.
Compare that to the Cyberbeast. Leasing the tri-motor version in September would have set you back $1,499 a month. That is a massive $800 gap just to shave 1.5 seconds off your 0-60 mph time. Most people I’ve talked to realized the AWD Dual Motor is the "sweet spot" of the lineup. It still hits 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, which is faster than most sports cars from ten years ago.
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Why September Was the "Perfect Storm"
Tesla didn't just lower the price because they were feeling generous. They were clearing out inventory. By mid-September, Tesla officially yanked the Long Range RWD version from the site. If you wanted a Cybertruck, you were basically forced into the AWD or the Beast.
To sweeten the deal, they started throwing in everything but the kitchen sink:
- Free Supercharging: Some buyers got 2,000 miles of free charging if they traded in a gas car.
- FSD Transfers: For the first time, Tesla allowed people to move their $8,000+ Full Self-Driving software from an old Model 3 or Y onto the Cybertruck for free.
- Upgraded Tires: Many inventory units were suddenly coming with the 20-inch Cyber Wheels and all-terrain tires at no extra cost.
It’s worth noting that these deals were largely driven by the Section 179 deduction and the looming expiration of the Inflation Reduction Act's tax credits. Because the Cybertruck has a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) over 6,000 pounds, business owners were scrambling to sign leases before the September 30 cutoff to maximize their write-offs.
The Specs That Actually Matter
If you’re looking at a lease, you aren't just buying a look; you're buying capability. The AWD model is a tank. It has 600 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque.
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You get 11,000 lbs of towing capacity, which is enough to pull a decent-sized horse trailer or a boat without the truck breaking a sweat. The range is officially estimated at 325 miles, though real-world highway driving at 75 mph usually nets you closer to 250-270 miles depending on the wind. Stainless steel is heavy, and physics is a thing.
One thing people often overlook in the lease terms is the 0.25 cent-per-mile overage fee. If you plan on taking this thing on a cross-country road trip, 10,000 miles a year vanishes fast. I've seen people blow through their entire three-year allotment in eighteen months just because the truck is so fun to drive.
Is the Deal Still Worth It?
Looking back at the September frenzy, was it actually the best time to buy?
Maybe. Tesla has a habit of "panic-cutting" prices when they miss delivery targets. While the $7,500 federal credit disappearing made things look bleak for October, Tesla responded in late 2025 by lowering the base MSRP of the AWD model to compensate.
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However, the specific combination of 3.99% APR and the $699 lease was a unique moment. It was the first time the Cybertruck felt "accessible" to the upper-middle class rather than just tech bros and celebrities.
Actionable Takeaways for Future Lessees
If you missed the September window and are looking at current inventory, here is how you should play it:
- Check Local Inventory First: Don't just order from the configurator. Local service centers often have "demo" units or cancelled orders with $2,000 to $4,000 discounts that aren't advertised on the main page.
- The $0 Down Strategy: Honestly, I'm a fan of $0 down on leases. If you put $5,000 down and someone totals your truck a week later, that money is gone. The insurance pays Tesla, not you. Pay the higher monthly fee and keep your cash in a high-yield savings account.
- Monitor the Fed: Tesla’s lease rates are tied to the federal interest rates. If the Fed cuts rates, Tesla usually updates their lease calculator within 48 hours.
- Verify the GVWR: If you are a business owner, ensure your CPA confirms the 6,000+ lb weight for the Section 179 deduction. It’s the single biggest "discount" you can get, often worth more than the lease deal itself.
The September 2025 lease deal proved one thing: the Cybertruck is no longer a rare artifact. It’s a mass-market product now, and Tesla is finally willing to haggle—even if they do it through a website instead of a dealership floor.